Makhachev Targets Gaethje Next – ‘I Like This Idea’

Islam Makhachev has said that Justin Gaethje is a very probable opponent for his next fight.
Makhachev made the fourth defense of his UFC Lightweight Title by submitting Renato Moicano in the first round at UFC 311. He took the fight after his prior opponent, Arman Tsarukyan, withdrew with a back injury on short notice. He picked up the belt initially after defeating Charles Oliveira in 2021. There has been mass speculation over whether Makhachev will move up from lightweight.
He stated previously that he wanted to leave the UFC with two belts. That has raised suggestions that he could face off against the UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad. While they may be friends, Makhachev has said that it is a possibility that the fight could take place. But Islam’s coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, has said he is not behind such a fight.
“My heart, my heart is not okay [with this], it would be hard [for me] to prepare Islam to beat Belal. If you want to beat Belal, I think you have to stop him. Without a stoppage, it’s going to be very hard – what are you going to do? Okay, say if you take him down, it’s very hard to control him for 25 minutes, first of all. Second, it’s very hard to dominate him on striking game in all 25 minutes because he mixes it up. He doesn’t stay with you all 25 minutes, he wrestlers and strike, wrestle and strike; he is good,” Khabib revealed
Makhachev Vs. Gaethje
There is also the opportunity to face off against UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis. Du Plessis secured the title after defeating Sean Strickland at UFC 297. He made a successful defense of the belt by submitting Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. He will rematch Strickland at UFC 312, as Islam could make the move up.
But another opportunity is to face Gaethje, who is the former BMF champion. Justin lost his title against Max Holloway at UFC 300. He was knocked out with just a second left to go in one of the most thrilling finishes in UFC history. He has not fought since then. But reports indicate that he will face off against Dan Hooker at UFC 311. And if the results go the right way, Islam could face Justin next. Justin has also previously said that he wants that fight.
“I like this idea because I haven’t fought Justin yet… I’ve already fought [Oliveira and Arman], and preparing for the same opponent is not such a big motivation,” Islam stated
“I’m No. 2. I knocked out Poirier. [And] I mean, Charles Oliveira is ahead of me, but he already lost to Makhachev. I have not fought Makhachev. It’s a fresh matchup, a new matchup, and I think that’s what the fans are looking for. I think (Makhachev) would have dominated Oliveira just the same. Oliveira beat me, MMA math doesn’t work. I’ve said (Makhachev is) not Khabib (Nurmagomedov), but I think he might be (as good). So I just want to go out there and figure it out,” Gaethje said
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