It seems that the heated face-off between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett was not enough to stimulate 'The Baddy' above one man in the pecking order.
It was not long before the focus in the lightweight division switched from Topuria's knockout against Charles Oliveira on UFC 317 to the potential next title fight.
Many thought that the matchup was set up at 155 pounds for the first defense of the Spaniard in the immediate aftermath of his triumph on 28 June, while Topuria came across with Pimblett in the cage.
But a few other contenders have something to say about that, and it seems that one of them is Pimblett for a shot on gold for a shot.
The manager of Ilia Topuria says that Justin Gaethje 'is closest to getting the first title shot
Although Pimblett has the advantage of being involved in a bitter feud with Topuria that Michael Bisping left and has recommended the UFC to capitalize, Justin Gaethje has the lead in rank.
Although Arman Tsarukyan is the highest arranged and has made weight as the back -up hunter for UFC 317, his withdrawal from a title shot last January seems to leave him out of the comparison for the time being.
And despite the fact that Dana White criticizes Gaethje's threat to retire if he does not get a title shot, Topuria's manager Lukasz Orzel recently told Kanał Sportowy that the former interim champion is the “closest in the neighborhood” to get the fight.
“Third belt is a matter of time. For now we have given our word to the UFC that we stay with lightweight,” said Orzel (H/t Matyseek).
“We are waiting to see who comes to mind when the natural competition. We would like to fight again this year. Gaethje is the closest, the time will tell if he's.”
Justin Gaethje has the support of another UFC light weight competition
Although Gaethje's claim on another shot was rejected by some in the community, 'the highlight' has the support of the man with whom he would have to fight last March.
While he spoke on Submission Radio about the current landscape of the lightweight title photo, Hooker Gaethje chose the likely challenger who was chosen by the UFC for the first defense of Topuria later this year.
“I think she wants to do Gaethje (vs.) paddy, but apparently Gaethje is not going to take the rice fight,” Hooker said. “It just leaves Paddy or Gaethje behind.
“The only pay-per-view turnover that is really counting is on the North American market. And so it is, although Paddy's, such as, this big star on Instagram and S-I don't know if he really moves the needle in North America.
“Certainly, Justin Gaethje moves the needle in North America,” Hooker added. “So I think he probably earns the UFC the most money by being a champion.”
Gaethje and Hooker were planned to fight on UFC 313 until a broken hand forced the kiwi out. He was replaced by Rafael Fiziev, who defeated the American for the second time in the score cards.
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