Reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has no interest in fighting Charles Oliveira or Arman Tsarukyan, after previously beating both “Do Bronx” (UFC 280) and “Ahalkalakets” (UFC St. Petersburg). That’s why the promotion booked them to fight one another, leaving No. 2-ranked contender Justin Gaethje as the “obvious” choice to step in and battle Makhachev.
That’s according to longtime manager Ali Abdelaziz.
“I think it’s obvious,” Abdelaziz told ESPN. “Justin Gaethje’s a guy that never wants something to be given to him. He earned it with sweat and blood and tears inside the cage. Islam Makhachev, very interested to fighting him. He said, ‘Doesn’t matter who, when, and how. I’ll fight anybody they give me.’ Justin Gaethje has earned it and Islam is really excited about fighting him.”
Makhachev is expected back after Ramadan.
Gaethje (25-4) fell short against Oliveira at UFC 274 but rebounded against Rafael Fiziev (UFC 286) and Dustin Poirier (UFC 291) to put himself back into title contention. “The Highlight” had a previous rivalry with former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov — Makhachev’s longtime friend and mentor — so a title-winning victory would no doubt help erase the memory of his poor performance at UFC 254.
UFC has yet to make Makhachev vs. Gaethje official.