Tag: Justin Gaethje

Islam Makhachev warns UFC rival Justin Gaethje amid links to fight: ‘I can do more than kicking, be careful’

Islam Makhachev issues warning to Justin Gaethje UFC title fight I can do more than kicking be carefulAmid links to a lightweight title fight in the opening quarter of next year, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev…

Islam Makhachev issues warning to Justin Gaethje UFC title fight I can do more than kicking be careful

Amid links to a lightweight title fight in the opening quarter of next year, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has issued a stark warning to former interim champion and current BMF gold holder, Justin Gaethje, claiming he should “be careful” as the two continue to find themselves linked to a clash.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, has been sidelined since he took main event honors at UFC 294 back in October, landing a devastating first round high-kick knockout win over featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s title fight rematch.

As for Gaethje, the Arizona native has been sidelined since he landed the symbolic BMF championship back in July at UFC 291, laying waste to two-time foe, Dustin Poirier with a thunderous second round high-kick stoppage of his own.

And dismissing talks of a future title rematch with former champion, Charles Oliviera in his return to the Octagon, Makhachev has claimed he would like to fight Gaethje next in his return to the UFC.

Welcoming the idea of a fight with his fellow Dominance MMA stablemate, Gaethje claimed he was waiting on the call to meet the Russian.

“Waiting on the call,” Justin Gaethje posted on his official X account. “Ready when you @ufc @danawhite Let’s see who can kick the others head off first @MAKHACHEVMMA Do Bronx had his shot and didn’t show up for the rematch. It is what it is.” 

And in response to Gaethje, Makhachev reminded the former interim champion that he possesses more than just the ability to stop a foe with strikes.

Islam Makhachev issues warning to Justin Gaethje

“I can do more than kicking, be careful,” Islam Makhachev posted in response to Justin Gaethje.

Who wins in a future title fight: Islam Makhachev or Justin Gaethje?

Justin Gaethje Lobbies for UFC title fight with Islam Makhachev: ‘Oliveira had his shot and didn’t show up’

Justin GaethjeJustin Gaethje is ready for another shot at UFC gold. Originally scheduled to rematch Charles Oliveira at UFC 294,…

Justin Gaethje

Justin Gaethje is ready for another shot at UFC gold.

Originally scheduled to rematch Charles Oliveira at UFC 294, Islam Makhachev instead defended his lightweight world title against Alexander Volkanovski after ‘Do Bronx’ was forced to withdraw due to a cut sustained whilst training.

The ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ made quick work of Volkanovski, scoring a vicious first-round head-kick KO.

Everyone assumed that the UFC would look to rebook the originally scheduled headliner between Makhachev and Oliveira for early 2024. However, it now appears that Islam Makhachev and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, have completely moved on from running it back with Oliveira in favor of a fresh matchup with current BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje.

‘The Highlight’ is more than ready to jump the queue and sign on the dotted line if that’s what Makhachev wants. All UFC CEO Dana White has to do is make the call.

“Waiting on the call,” Gaethje wrote on X. “Ready when you are @ufc @danawhite Let’s see who can kick the others head off first @MAKHACHEVMMA Do Bronx had his shot and didn’t show up for the rematch. It is what it is.”

Is the third time the charm for Justin Gaethje?

Gaethje’s last appearance inside the Octagon came at UFC 291 when he scored a highlight-reel-worthy knockout of Dustin Poirier. It was his second-straight victory after putting on a brilliant performance against Rafael Fiziev four months prior. Gaethje has won three of his last five with his two losses coming in championship fights.

If ‘The Highlight’ does land another lightweight title opportunity, it will be his third, and likely final chance at gold after coming up short against former champions Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.

Islam Makhachev vs. Justin Gaethje Dubbed as ‘The fight to make’ for the uFC lightweight championship

Islam MakhachevAli Abdelaziz, the manager of reigning lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev, believes Justin Gaethje should receive the next shot…

Islam Makhachev

Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of reigning lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev, believes Justin Gaethje should receive the next shot at the 155-pound crown.

Originally, Makahchev was slated to defend his title against Charles Oliveira in a rematch at UFC 294 in October, but ‘Do Bronx’ was forced to withdraw from the bout after sustaining a cut whilst training. The ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ went on to defend his title definitively against short-notice replacement Alexander Volkanovski at the event.

Many assumed that the UFC would simply rebook Makhachev vs. Oliveira 2 for some time in 2024, but if Abdelaziz gets his wish, the promotion will move on from that matchup for something a little more fresh.

“@MAKHACHEVMMA vs @Justin_Gaethje Next, this is the fight to make,” Abdelaziz wrote on X.

Abdelaziz followed that up with another post that served as a warning to the potential title challenger.

“@Justin_Gaethje you will never be the same after you fight him remember that.”

Islam Makhachev Agrees with his manager

The champ echoed similar sentiments in a recent interview, making it clear that he is no longer interested in any rematches.

“To be honest, I’ve already told [UFC] I’m not interested in rematches,” he said. “Because if you want to [be a champion] in a good way, you have to add new names. There is [Justin] Gaethje, who I would say deserved a fight. I think it would be more interesting to fight him.”

Of course, with Ali Abdelaziz representing both Islam Makhachev and Justin Gaethje, he stands to cash in no matter the outcome.

Islam Makhachev vs. Justin Gaethje Dubbed as ‘The fight to make’ for the uFC lightweight championship

Islam MakhachevAli Abdelaziz, the manager of reigning lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev, believes Justin Gaethje should receive the next shot…

Islam Makhachev

Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of reigning lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev, believes Justin Gaethje should receive the next shot at the 155-pound crown.

Originally, Makahchev was slated to defend his title against Charles Oliveira in a rematch at UFC 294 in October, but ‘Do Bronx’ was forced to withdraw from the bout after sustaining a cut whilst training. The ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ went on to defend his title definitively against short-notice replacement Alexander Volkanovski at the event.

Many assumed that the UFC would simply rebook Makhachev vs. Oliveira 2 for some time in 2024, but if Abdelaziz gets his wish, the promotion will move on from that matchup for something a little more fresh.

“@MAKHACHEVMMA vs @Justin_Gaethje Next, this is the fight to make,” Abdelaziz wrote on X.

Abdelaziz followed that up with another post that served as a warning to the potential title challenger.

“@Justin_Gaethje you will never be the same after you fight him remember that.”

Islam Makhachev Agrees with his manager

The champ echoed similar sentiments in a recent interview, making it clear that he is no longer interested in any rematches.

“To be honest, I’ve already told [UFC] I’m not interested in rematches,” he said. “Because if you want to [be a champion] in a good way, you have to add new names. There is [Justin] Gaethje, who I would say deserved a fight. I think it would be more interesting to fight him.”

Of course, with Ali Abdelaziz representing both Islam Makhachev and Justin Gaethje, he stands to cash in no matter the outcome.

Ranking the UFC’s Best Fights of the Year for 2023

2023 was quite a year for MMA. We watched Francis Ngannou leave the UFC, sign with the PFL, and score a blockbuster boxing match with Tyson Fury. We saw Jon…

2023 was quite a year for MMA. We watched Francis Ngannou leave the UFC, sign with the PFL, and score a blockbuster boxing match with Tyson Fury. We saw Jon…

Islam Makhachev axes rematch fight with Charles Oliveira, plans Justin Gaethje title clash at UFC 299 in Miami

Islam Makhachev calls for Justin Gaethje title fight at UFC 299 in Miami in MarchEarmarked to fight former foe and prior undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira in a championship rematch in his return…

Islam Makhachev calls for Justin Gaethje title fight at UFC 299 in Miami in March

Earmarked to fight former foe and prior undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira in a championship rematch in his return to the Octagon, current gold holder, Islam Makhachev has suggested a pairing with former interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje instead, eyeing a comeback at UFC 299 in March in Miami, Florida.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and current pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter, most recently headlined UFC 294 back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, landing a one-sided rematch win over Alexander Volkanovski, stopping the Australian with a brutal first round high-kick knockout.

Initially scheduled to feature in a main event bout against Sao Paulo favorite, Oliveira in a championship rematch, Makhachev saw the pairing shelved after the Brazilian suffered a nasty laceration above his right eyebrow ahead of the clash.

Islam Makhachev eyes Justin Gaethje fight at UFC 299

And receiving a recent call out from UFC Austin main event winner, Arman Tsarukyan in a championship rematch, Makhachev has ruled out a fight with the Armenian or Oliveira next, instead mentioning a return at UFC 299 in Miami, in a clash against Arizona native, Gaethje.“To be honest, I’ve already told I’m not that interested in rematches,” Islam Makhachev told Ushatayka. “Because if you want to win someone in a good way, you have to add new names.”

“There is (Justin) Gaethje, who I would say deserved a fight,” Islam Makhachev continued. “I think it would be more interesting to fight him. I think in March, maybe – most likely, yes, at the number event [UFC 299].” 

Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion and current symbolic BMF championship holder, headlined UFC 291 back in July most recently, landing a spectacular second round high-kick knockout win over fellow former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier in the pair’s long-awaited rematch. 

Who wins in a potential fight at UFC 299 in Miami: Islam Makhachev or Justin Gaethje?