Tag: Justin Gaethje

Michael Chandler campaigns for Justin Gaethje UFC lightweight title shot

Michael Chandler wants to see Justin Gaethje get the next UFC title shot.

MIAMI – [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] wants to see [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] get the next UFC title shot.

With Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC), Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, and Charles Oliveira all vying for a shot at UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) hopes his former rival gets the nod. Chandler lost a Fight of the Year against Gaethje at UFC 268.

Along with Chandler, many fighters and pundits are on board with former interim champ Gaethje getting the opportunity, even though many can argue that his recent run presents the weakest case out of the top contenders. Gaethje was knocked out by Max Holloway at UFC 300, but rebounded with a decision win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313.

However, Chandler thinks Gaethje risking his ranking by facing former featherweight Holloway should be accounted for.

“If I’m thinking with my heart, I want Gaethje to get a shot,” Chandler told MMA Junkie and other reporters Wednesday at UFC 314 media day. “Gaethje being the No. 1 guy and putting that No. 1 ranking on the line against Max Holloway for the BMF belt, and then losing that, so then he drops down a notch.

“Charles and I were the No. 1 contender fight, but now you’ve got Topuria coming up, you got (Dustin) Poirier retiring, you got Islam talking about going up to 170. There’s a bunch of rumblings about that in the media and things that he has said. The coolest thing is just being a part of the most interesting division in the world.”

Former Bellator champion Chandler will look to cement himself as a top lightweight when he takes on Paddy Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in Saturday’s five-round UFC 314 co-headliner (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at Kaseya Center in Miami.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.

Justin Gaethje hopes ‘old guard holds up’ and Michael Chandler beats Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314

Justin Gaethje is rooting for Michael Chandler at UFC 314.

[autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] is rooting for [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] at UFC 314.

Former Bellator champion and ex-UFC title challenger Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) meets [autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag] (22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in Saturday’s five-round lightweight co-headliner (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at Kaseya Center in Miami.

Gaethje beat Chandler in a Fight of the Year barnburner at UFC 268 in November 2021. He broke down the keys to victory for Pimblett.

“I think try to initiate the grappling early and get him tired,” Gaethje told The Schmo. “That way, in the end of Round 2 and all of Round 3, you can get to the grappling. He’s got very good grappling and very good submissions, so obviously Chandler needs to avoid that. But I think get him tired. Get in a couple scrambles, let him take you down a couple times, and trust in your ability to not get submitted, get back up, and fight for three rounds.”

Gaethje later found out that the fight is five rounds, not three. While he was advising Pimblett on how to wear Chandler down, he’d actually like to see his former rival prevail.

“Then definitely let him take you down,” Gaethje said. “Two times, three times in the first round. I hope Chandler wins. I like Chandler. I don’t dislike Chandler. I hope that the old guard holds up, keeps these young, hungry kids out for as long as possible, so we’ll see. I hope Chandler wins – crazy game.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.

Daniel Cormier predicts Justin Gaethje gets UFC title shot vs. champ Islam Makhachev

Daniel Cormier sees Justin Gaethje sliding into the UFC title picture.

[autotag]Daniel Cormier[/autotag] sees [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] sliding into the UFC title picture.

Lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) is gearing up for his next title defense after making quick work of short-notice replacement Renato Moicano at UFC 311 in January.

Ilia Topuria says he was promised an immediate lightweight title shot after he vacated his featherweight title, but there’s been pushback from Makhachev’s team. That’s why Cormier thinks Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) will end up getting the title shot.

“I honestly believe that’s who is going to fight for the belt, I believe it’s going to be Justin Gaethje,” Cormier said on his “Funky and the Champ” show with Ben Askren. “If I’m team Makhachev, I’m asking for Justin Gaethje because that’s a big-name fight, it’s the guy that carries a lot of name recognition. I think that’s going to be the fight if I’m being honest with you.”

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Ben Askren finds it hard to make a case for Gaethje, who was knocked out by ex-featherweight champ Max Holloway at UFC 300, but rebounded with a decision win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313.

“He lost to Holloway, and Topuria just put down Holloway in very impressive fashion,” Askren said of Gaethje. “I don’t even think it’s a hard argument. I think Topuria is by far the most compelling person.”

Cormier’s argument for Makhachev is that two of his four title defenses came over former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, and how he doesn’t want to go down that road again. Askren explained why he doesn’t see Cormier’s argument as valid.

“Those two featherweights, Holloway has the very, very recent win against Justin Gaethje at lightweight, at which they competed at lightweight, right?” Askren said. “And then Volkanovski had the very competitive bout with Islam Makhachev. “So you have both of those guys also competing at lightweight and having relatively good results.”

Michael Bisping: ‘We would all sign off on’ Justin Gaethje vs. Islam Makhachev

Michael Bisping sees a world where Justin Gaethje is next in line for UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

[autotag]Michael Bisping[/autotag] sees a world where [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] is next in line for UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag].

Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) returned to the win column after defeating Rafael Fiziev a second time at UFC 313 last month. Makhachev already holds wins over No. 1-ranked Arman Tsarukyan and No. 2-ranked Charles Oliveria, and is seeking a fresh matchup for his next title defense.

Although newly minted lightweight and former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria would provide that, Makhachev’s team wants to see him earn the opportunity. That’s where Bisping thinks Gaethje could slide in.

“Charles Oliveira, he’s No. 2, and then we’ve got Justin Gaethje at No. 3,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “Now, Justin Gaethje hasn’t fought Islam Makhachev, so that would be a fresh title. Justin Gaethje isn’t getting any younger either. I think we would all sign off on Justin Gaethje vs. Islam Makhachev. Justin gets to go in there, right the wrongs from the Khabib Nurmagomedov fight and finish his career as the UFC lightweight champion of the world.

“I think somebody like Justin Gaethje, who has put on these legendary fights, these epic battles and just entertained the crowds – just like he did last time out against Rafael Fiziev, what a fight that was. I think the man deserves it, and I think it might just happen because what’s happening is, Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira are talking a lot of sh*t back-and-forth, and that just might be the fight that gets made.”

While Bisping has no issue with Topuria getting an immediate shot at Makhachev, he thinks him trading barbs with Oliveira could lead to them fighting.

“So there’s Topuria being dismissive, there’s Oliveira talking sh*t,” Bisping said. “Topuria needs to prove himself apparently, according to the champ. Oliveira needs that last final fight to get over the hump to challenge for the belt and, in the meantime, you’ve got Justin Gaethje, a fan favorite, a company man that’s always putting on great fights.

“All Justin Gaethje’s got to do is stay nice and quiet. Let these two keep chatting it up, talking a bit of sh*t, and Justin Gaethje might just emerge out of this as the winner, as the guy that gets to go up against Islam Makhachev. Then Topuria vs. Oliveira, they might fight for the No. 1 contender spot.”

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All Charles Olveira wants next is to fight for a UFC title belt ‘either way’

Former UFC champion Charles Oliveira isn’t sure how he fits into the suddenly crowded top of the 155-pound division, but he knows what he wants.

Former UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] isn’t sure how he fits into the suddenly crowded top of the 155-pound division, but he knows he wants his next fight to be for a title belt.

“The division is very complicated,” Oliveira said in an interview with online sportsbook Oddspedia. “I think I deserve to be next in line, but I work for Zuffa. There is talk about Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Ilia Topuria. I’m just waiting on the call. I don’t know who is next. There is talk, but I just don’t know.”

The possibilities seem endless coming out of last week’s UFC 313 where [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] defeated Rafael Fiziev in another barnburner between the two. Afterward, Gaethje made his case for a shot at [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag], especially since he represents the only fresh matchup of the top three fighters officially ranked behind the reigning UFC champion. [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag], No.1, and No. 2 Oliveira have both been beaten by Makhachev before, although Tsarukyan lost out on his chance at a rematch in January by withdrawing from their UFC 311 title fight. No. 3 Gaethje is certainly also under consideration, but there’s a potential X-factor in [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag], who is vacating his featherweight title for a move to lightweight.

If Topuria doesn’t get an immediate title shot at 155 pounds, Oliveira wouldn’t mind welcoming him to the division.

“Whoever I get told to fight, I’m going to fight,” Oliveira said. “I have nothing but respect for Ilia Topuria, but this is lightweight. It’s the most difficult division you have ever seen, and I have power in my hands. I believe in my jiu-jitsu, but I believe that I could knock Illa Topuria out.”

A fight with Topuria, however, wouldn’t be for a UFC belt. And if it’s not a title-fight rematch with Makhachev that comes next, Oliveira prefers to run it back with Max Holloway for his BMF title belt.

“A fight against Max Holloway would be huge, and I’m confident that it would be me with my arm raised,” Oliveira said. “The first time we fought I had an injury that stopped me performing. We are both aggressive fighters, and I believe in the power in my hands, as well as my BJJ. There would be a lot of hype around the fight.

“I would be chasing the knockout, and the BMF means the toughest guy in the division, right? I want to show that I’m the toughest guy in the
division. When we speak about legacy, we speak about being the champion, but BMF is about being the toughest guy, and that’s what I consider myself to be in this division. I believe that I have shown that, and having the BMF belt is the only thing that is missing.”

Oliveira, who’s coming off an entertaining win over Michael Chandler last November, remains unclear as to what his future holds. But as long as he fights for a belt next, he’ll be happy.

“I want to fight for a title either way,” Oliveira said. “Now I’m just sitting waiting for the call.”

Islam Makhachev’s coach open to ‘perfect matchup’ Justin Gaethje next after UFC 313

Javier Mendez is not opposed to Justin Gaethje getting the next UFC lightweight title shot.

[autotag]Javier Mendez[/autotag] is not opposed to [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] getting the next UFC lightweight title shot.

Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) called for a title shot after defeating Rafael Fiziev by unanimous decision in this past Saturday’s UFC 313 co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Considering that UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) is yet to fight Gaethje, Mendez doesn’t see why not. Ranked ahead of Gaethje are Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, both whom Makhachev already beat.

UFC CEO Dana White also seemed to be open to the idea of a Gaethje title shot.

“Fantastic. Then it’s Justin Gaethje. We’ll focus on Justin Gaethje,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “That would be, ideally for us, the perfect matchup based on where his standing is and what he’s done. He’s a big, known guy and Islam hasn’t fought him, So he’s perfect.”

The other option for Makhachev is Ilia Topuria, who vacated his featherweight title for a move up to 155 pounds. Makhachev previously said he wasn’t interested in taking on another 145-pounder in Topuria, but Mendez says the champion will fight whoever the UFC offers,

“It’s not important to me,” Mendez said on who Makhachev fights next. “Let’s focus on whoever the UFC decides because I’m not even going to talk about something that’s not even there. What is there, is what Dana (White) talked about. So me, I’d rather focus on what Dana said.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.

Arman Tsarukyan slams Justin Gaethje’s UFC title shot request: ‘You have to go through me first’

Arman Tsarukyan thinks Justin Gaethje has no business fighting for the title after UFC 313.

[autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] has no business fighting for the title after UFC 313.

Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) called for a title shot after defeating Rafael Fiziev by unanimous decision in this past Saturday’s co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who pulled out of his fight against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev just one day before UFC 311, was told by the promotion that he has to fight his way back to the title shot. He’s happy to settle things with Gaethje for the No. 1 contender spot.

“You barely got past #11 on short notice, and before that, you got sent to the shadow realm. If you really want to be the #1 contender and fight for the belt, you have to go through me first.”

Gaethje represents new blood for Makhachev, who’s having a hard time getting up for rematches. UFC CEO Dana White also seemed open to the idea of Gaethje potentially facing Makhachev next.

Standing in the way of Gaethje’s plan is newly minted lightweight Ilia Topuria, who opted to vacate his featherweight title for a move up. If Makhachev and Topuria do end up fighting, Tsarukyan has a hard time picking a winner.

“It’s a tough fight,” Tsarukyan told The Schmo. “Ilia, he is a better striker, good boxing. I don’t know – he’s never fought with guys who can wrestle very well like Islam, so we will see. It is a 50-50 fight.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.

Jon Anik: Justin Gaethje ‘absolutely’ should fight UFC champion Islam Makhachev next

UFC commentator Jon Anik vouches for Justin Gaethje getting the next lightweight title shot.

[autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] vouches for [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] getting the next UFC lightweight title shot.

Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) returned to the win column when he defeated Rafael Fiziev by unanimous decision in Saturday’s UFC 303 co-main event.

With UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is seeking new blood, Gaethje threw his name in the hat for a title shot. Ranked ahead of him are Arman Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira, both of whom Makhachev already beat.

“He absolutely should fight Islam Makhachev for the title,” Anik told Bloody Elbow. “I don’t know that he could’ve done more with this showcase, and sometimes decision wins could be better than finishes, and I think in this instance, had there been a quick knockout, I actually think this is more useful. Justin Gaethje is going to go in the Hall of Fame twice.”

The other looming option is Ilia Topuria, who vacated his UFC featherweight title for a move up to lightweight. However, Makhachev and his team want to see Topuria earn his opportunity first.

“It would seem to me, in a speculative way, that Ilia Topuria has the inside track to fight Islam Makhachev,” Anik said. “I don’t know if it’s a case of you’ve got to strike while the iron is hot or if there isn’t an obvious No. 1 contender because Arman Tsarukyan wasn’t able to make the walk. I wonder if Islam Makhachev is going to have any say in all of this, and I wonder if his history having defended his title twice against a featherweight in Alexander Volkanovski plays into this at all.

“Don’t you believe, right, that if Islam Makhachev is probed about this, he’s going to want to fight Justin Gaethje? I don’t know what the pay-per-view window says about Gaethje vs. Topuria. Charles Oliveira is worthy, as well. I think we can all agree there are three options: Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira. The nature of this win for Gaethje and the fact that we haven’t seen that fight, to me promotionally, I would go in that direction.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.

Video: Should Justin Gaethje get a title shot off his UFC 313 win?

Justin Gaethje wants a crack at the lightweight championship. How far is he after his UFC 313 win? We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

[autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] is back in the win column and on the hunt for another crack at the UFC lightweight title.

Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) defeated Rafael Fiziev (12-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) this past Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 313 in Las Vegas, putting behind his scary KO loss to Max Holloway at last year’s UFC 300. After the bout, Gaethje made clear his intentions of wanting to fight for the belt once again and said confidently that he’s back in the mix.

Did Gaethje put himself back in title contention with his latest win? How is the title picture shaping up at 155 pounds?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn, Danny Segura and host “Gorgeous” George discuss Gaethje’s big win over Fiziev, and where this puts him in the top of the lightweight division.

Watch their discussion in the video above and don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/8d_-xgG4Kfw

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Arman Tsarukyan lays out hope for next fight after UFC 313, welcomes three options

Arman Tsarukyan hopes to get the next shot at the UFC lightweight title, if not top contender fights with Justin Gaethje or Charles Olivera.

[autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] is ready to go, looking to get back in the cage soon to take the title from champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] or prove he’s indeed the No. 1 contender in the division.

“My back is feeling good, and I’m ready,” Tsarukyan told The Schmo. “If they’re going to give me a fight in May or end of April, that would be great.”

Tsarukyan was supposed to fight for the UFC lightweight title Jan. 18. However, a day before the fight, Tsarukyan withdrew from the bout due to a back injury. Renato Moicano replaced him and lost to Makhachev at UFC 311.

After the event, UFC CEO Dana White said Tsarukyan had lost his chance and that his next fight wouldn’t be for the belt, despite being the No. 1 contender.

Tsarukyan would gladly take his title fight back should the UFC change its mind, but he also welcomes a top contender fight with [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] or [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag].

“I want to fight with contenders,” Tsarukyan said. “I want someone from top five like Gaethje or Oliveira. Gaethje wants to fight for the title, so it makes sense to fight with me because nobody is going to give him title fight. It’s not going to be fair that he’s going to get the title fight. So he’s got to beat me or Oliveira to get that title fight. There’s Ilia, too, but I think they’re going to give me Oliveira or Gaethje or maybe title fight.”

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