February 28, 2025 12:10 pm ET
Justin Gaethje hopes to be the plain No. 1 contender after UFC 313.
Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) runs issues again with Rafael Fiziev (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) within the March 8 co-main occasion at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.
With UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) in search of contemporary blood, Gaethje thinks he can leap into the title alternative with a formidable displaying in opposition to Fiziev. Gaethje edged out Fiziev by majority decision at UFC 286.
Gaethje will look to rebound from his knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300. However similar to Dustin Poirier was capable of rebound from his knockout loss to Gaethje with a end of Benoit Saint Denis to leap right into a title alternative, “The Spotlight” goals to do the identical.
“I imply, I’m all the time taking pictures for Makhachev. Proper now, he’s the champion,” Gaethje mentioned on “The Jim Rome Show.” “And we noticed with Poirier, I beat him after which he fought for the belt. I believe timing is such an enormous issue on this sport.
“With Charles (Oliveira) already shedding to him twice, him being forward of me; (Arman) Tsarukyan having his likelihood and pulling out the day of the battle or the evening earlier than, is unquestionably detrimental to his possibilities; (Ilia) Topuria arising (to light-weight) and Makhachev saying he must battle someone else first; there’s actually not a number of guys. And so with the large win right here and definitely a end, I believe they’re going to have to contemplate me. I’ve by no means fought him, and that’s what we’re in search of.”
Makhachev was scheduled to defend his title in a rematch in opposition to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311, however wound up going through Renato Moicano as a substitute when Tsarukyan withdrew a day earlier than as a result of a again harm. Makhachev quickly submitted Moicano, however UFC CEO Dana White mentioned after that Tsarukyan received’t instantly get his title battle rebooked.
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