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Justin Gaethje relishes UFC title fight with Islam Makhachev: ‘I know he’s not Khabib, and I want to prove that’

Justin Gaethje eyes title fight with Islam Makhachev he's no Khabib I can prove that UFC UFC lightweight superstar Justin Gaethje has sounded off about what he believes is the biggest challenge for the UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Gaethje is set to fight next weekend at UFC 291, where he has the possibility to become the next BMF champion when he rematches Dustin Poirier. Their first fight will always live […]

UFC lightweight superstar Justin Gaethje has sounded off about what he believes is the biggest challenge for the UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

Gaethje is set to fight next weekend at UFC 291, where he has the possibility to become the next BMF champion when he rematches Dustin Poirier. Their first fight will always live on as a legendary battle and was an instant classic. Fans can only hope their second fight plays out the same way, but given the two fighters’ skills and style, there’s practically no doubt that it will.

In an interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Justin Gaethje was asked what he thinks is Islam Makhachev’s “biggest challenge” and he didn’t hesitate in his response.

Justin Gaethje talks about Islam Makhachev’s biggest challenge

When asked about the UFC lightweight champion and what might be his biggest challenge, Gaethje had some very good points to be made. First, he said the obvious: that Alexander Volkanovski would be his biggest challenge so far.

“If we’re going off what we know, then it’s going to be Volkanovski because he already fought him and it was a really close fight,” Justin Gaethje told Mahjouri.

However, Gaethje would also bring up a really good point. Makhachev has faced Oliveira, yes. But not Dustin Poirier and himself. Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier are no doubt the next greatest fighters in the division besides Oliveira. And, with the skill level that the upper echelon of the lightweight division possesses, any fight can really go any way. “I’ve never fought him, Poirier’s never fought him. I guess if you want to say something it would be (the guy that knocked Islam Makhachev out in the past). I think Volkanovski is the obvious answer for now.”

“I can’t wait to get in there (with Islam Makhachev), I know for a fact he’s not Khabib (Nurmagomedov) and I want to prove that,” Justin Gaethje concluded.

How do you think a Justin Gaethje vs. Islam Makhachev fight would play out?

Leon Edwards backed to defeat Islam Makhachev in future UFC title clash: ‘It’s a really tough fight for him’

Linked in recent weeks with a future welterweight title fight against lightweight kingpin, Islam Makhachev, Leon Edwards has been backed to pose a massive threat to the Russian by former division contender, Ben Askren. Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he headlined UFC 286 back in March in […]

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he headlined UFC 286 back in March in London, turning in his second career win over former pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman in the pair’s title trilogy rubber match.

The Birmingham native had been called out by Makhachev for a welterweight title fight at UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, however, the latter has since booked a lightweight title defense against Charles Oliveira in a championship re-run on the Middle East card.

Leon Edwards, who has yet to book his own Octagon return, has been linked with a comeback in the co-main event of UFC 295 in November, in a title fight against former interim champion, Colby Covington at Madison Square Garden.

Ben Askren picks Leon Edwards to topple Islam Makhachev

However, according to former ONE Championship and Bellator MMA gold holder, Askren, Edwards’ ability would pose a massive problem for Makhachev – with the former going as far as claiming the welterweight titleholder would likely defeat the Russian in they fought.

“Man, Leon Edwards, he’s gotten so much better,” Ben Askren said on an episode of Funky & The Champ. “I’ve been really impressed by him. I think it’s a really tough fight for (Islam) Makhachev. It really is. He (Edwards) can stuff takedowns, he can battle, strike really clean. Yes, it’s a good fight, I’m in.”

“I’d probably pick Leon, honestly,” Askren explained. “After the last (Kamaru) Usman fight, I mean, you could just see even from two Usman fights ago, he did such a better job of like, battling in the wrestling position and dictating it to be more of a striking fight. If you could do that against Usman… He’s just bigger and stronger (than Makhachev). If Usman couldn’t push him aroun, I have a hard time thinking Makhachev is going to.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Islam Makhachev issues chilling warning to Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 294 title fight: ‘See you soon’

Finally slated to make his return to the Octagon in October, reigning lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has issued a warning to former foe and prior champion, Charles Oliveira, as he prepares to draw the Brazilian in a championship re-run at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, is slated to […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, is slated to headline UFC 294 on October 21., will draw the current number one ranked challenger, Oliveira in the Middle East, with the pair locking horns for the second time in a year.

Initially, Makhachev managed to mint himself as the undisputed lightweight champion, ending the 12-fight division run of Oliveira with a stunning second round arm-triangle choke in the main event of UFC 280 last October at the Etihad Arena.

Islam Makhachev issues warning to Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 294 re-run

And now officially booked to make his second attempted title defense, Islam Makhachev returns against the Sao Paulo finisher, with the pair meeting for the second time at UFC 294 in the promotion’s return to the United Arab Emirates.

Successfully defending the lightweight title at the first time of asking at UFC 284 back in February in Perth, Australia, Islam Makhachev defeated undisputed featherweight champion and recently minted pound-for-pound number one, Alexander Volkanovski with a unanimous decision win ‘Down Under’.

Himself returning to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 288 back in June as he snapped his winless run in Canada, Oliveira turned in a dominant first round win over the streaking, Beneil Dariush in ‘The Great White North’ – defeating the Iranian with an opening round ground strikes TKO stoppage.

Along with Makhachev’s title rematch with Oliveira, the UFC have also confirmed a middleweight clash between undefeated berserker, Khamzat Chimaev, and former title challenger, Paulo Costa is slated for a co-headlining pairing.

Breaking – Khamzat Chimaev set to fight Paulo Costa at UFC 294 in October grudge match

Finally booked to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon following a lengthy absence, undefeated welterweight challenger, Khamzat Chimaev will make a middleweight division return on October 19. – taking on Brazilian fan-favorite, Paulo Costa at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Chimaev, the current number four ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined he co-headlined […]

Chimaev, the current number four ranked middleweight contender, has been sidelined he co-headlined UFC 279 back in September of last year, moving to 12-0 as a professional with a first round D’Arce choke submission win over Kevin Holland.

As for Costa, the Belo Horizonte native was expected to make his return at UFC 291 later this month, taking on would-be common-foe, Ikram Aliskerov in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Khamzat Chimaev books Octagon return against Paulo Costa

However, as per an official announcement from UFC president, Dana White, Costa has since been pulled from the bout, taking on the unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev, while Aliskerov also features on October 19. now, taking on Nassourdine Imavov on ‘Fight Island’.

Linked with a slew of opponents for a return to the Octagon during his absence from the sport, Chimaev, who had recently called for a fight with welterweight champion, Leon Edwards, just earlier this week, had also weighed up a catchweight pairing with former champion, Kamaru Usman.

And as for Costa, the Brazilian middleweight has been sidelined since August of last year, returning to the winner’s enclosure himself with a unanimous decision win over former middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold at UFC 278.

UFC 294 is also set to feature a highly-anticipated lightweight title rematch between Islam Makhachev and former champion, Charles Oliveira.

Breaking – Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2 headlines UFC 284 in October on Fight Island

Despite initially claiming just earlier this month how an October turnaround to secure a title rematch with rival, Islam Makhachev was simply too soon for his comeback, former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira is officially slated to headline UFC 294 midway through the month in Abu Dhabi, UAE. As per UFC president, Dana White in […]

As per UFC president, Dana White in an official announcement overnight, Islam Makhachev will return to the Octagon on October 19. in the Middle East – topping the event in a title rematch against recent big-winner, Oliveira. White announced the headliner in a special announcement video on the official UFC YouTube channel.

Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira headlined UFC 294 on October 19.

Initially meeting back in October of last year at the same venue, Makhachev managed to mint himself as the undisputed lightweight titleholder, clinching vacant gold against the Sao Paulo native, after securing a second round arm-triangle submission win to snap the Brazilian’s division-best 12-fight winning streak.

Returning in February of this year in the main event of UFC 284, Islam Makhachev defeated undisputed featherweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Alexander Volkanovski on enemy territory in a close, unanimous decision win.

Making his triumphant Octagon return at UFC 288 back in June in Canada, Oliveira returned to winning ways with a huge first round win over Beneil Dariush, himself ending the division streak of the Iranian grappler.

Oliveira himself managed to mint himself with lightweight title spoils back in 2020 against Michael Chandler, defeating the current number five ranked contender with a second round KO in the pair’s vacant title outing.

In a single successful title defense, the Chute Boxe staple submitted former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier with a third round standing rear-naked choke.

UFC 294 takes place on October 19. from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE – with the lightweight title rematch between Makhachev and Oliveira taking main event honors.

Daniel Cormier warns fans about Islam Makhachev’s return: ‘People are going to be disappointed about his next fight’

Expected to headline UFC 294 despite the fact he is yet to officially land an opponent for the October pay-per-view event, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makahchev will likely “disappoint” fans with his championship opponent, according to American Kickboxing Academy training partner, Daniel Cormier. Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, has yet to be booked to […]

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, has yet to be booked to return to the Octagon since featuring in Perth, Australia back in February in the main event of UFC 284.

Successfully defending his lightweight crown at the first time of trying, Russian sambo ace, Islam Makhachev landed a unanimous decision win over pound-for-pound number one and current featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski.

Weighing up a potential fight with former foe and ex-champion, Charles Oliveira prior to the Brazilian’s admittance that an October date is too soon for his return, Islam Makhachev also suggested a welterweight title fight with division champion, Leon Edwards for the Abu Dhabi, UAE card to boot.

Daniel Cormier urges fans to quell their expectations for Islam Makhachev’s return

However, according to ex-two-weight champion, Cormier, Makhachev’s expected next opponent is sure to disappoint fans at UFC 294.

“I think Islam Makhachev will next fight against someone that is not even necessarily on our radar,” Daniel Cormier said on an episode of DC & RC. “It’s supposed to be the winner of (Justin) Gaethje vs. (Dustin) Poirier, but I do not believe that those guys will come out of that fight clean and be healthy enough to put a title fight right that soon.”

“I also know that Charles Oliveira has already told the fans he’s not fighting in October,” Cormier explained. “We’re going to have to go down the lightweight rankings and find some other guy, and people are going to be very disappointed. It’ll be the number four, five, or six ranked guy that’s going to get a title shot because there just will be no one else.”