Justin Gaethje believes that he was in a perfect position to take advantage of a title shot at UFC 317.
Last week, UFC boss Dana White shocked that Islam Makhachev left his lightweight title, despite revealing his earlier plan to hold his belt, although he went up to good weight.
And with that the UFC 317 Main Event was finally announced, because Ilia Topuria will collide against Charles Oliveira for the empty title of 155 pounds.
Justin Gaethje, however, has been an old competition in the lightweight division and after his exciting victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313, 'the highlight' believed that he could be in an excellent position for a title shot.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Justin Gaethje Left Left Singing after discovering UFC 317 Title Fight
One of Makhachev's reasons to go up in weight is because he believed that there were no worthy contenders and that he had cleared the division.
Nevertheless, the Russian Gaethje emphasized as his 'ideal opponent', which states that he is a real lightweight after defending his title against a series of featherweights.
Although the former interim light weight champion was emphasized as the ideal opponent of Makhachev, he missed the vacant title fight on UFC 317, who, according to Jon Anik, let him hiss.
“So after Max Holloway Justin Gaethje had eliminated, he played golf for 180 consecutive days, and he really became good,” Anik began to explain to the Anik & Florian Podcast.
“I was a lot with Justin Gaethje this week … And he was P – – he feels like he was sure for Charles Oliveira for this opportunity against Ilia Topuria and I think Justin Gaethje and his manager Ali Abdelaziz are looking, is just a kind of guarantee that they are next,” Anik continued.
'Do Bronx' Oliveira is 2-2 in his last four fights, with only two victories against Beneuil Dariush and Michael Chandler, which makes the frustration of Gaethje valid.
Justin Gaethje's next fight could come across the rising star
Although the 36-year-old is looking for a kind of guarantee that he will now fight for the title, he may have to get a victory in the meantime to guarantee that warranty.
Despite the fact that 'the highlight' could probably wait at the peak of UFC 317 and the winner fighting later this year, he was already called by Paddy Pimblett.
With 'The Baddy' that rises due to the lightweight division and already has a history with Topuria, he could eventually jump Gaethje for the title shot.
Gaethje's title shot warranty could come up with a victory over the rising Brit, in what would be an incredible fight.