Tag: Justin Gaethje

Justin Gaethje Makes Strong Pick For Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway At UFC 308: ‘In My Mind, I Can’t See Him Losing’

At UFC 300, Justin Gaethje was on the receiving end of Max Holloway’s iconic last-second KO. The former UFC featherweight champion broke Gaethje’s nose towards the end of the first and was winning comfortably on the scorecards, making the moment all the more special. The loss to Holloway might be a tough pill to swallow […]

Continue Reading Justin Gaethje Makes Strong Pick For Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway At UFC 308: ‘In My Mind, I Can’t See Him Losing’ at MMA News.

At UFC 300, Justin Gaethje was on the receiving end of Max Holloway’s iconic last-second KO. The former UFC featherweight champion broke Gaethje’s nose towards the end of the first and was winning comfortably on the scorecards, making the moment all the more special.

The loss to Holloway might be a tough pill to swallow for “The Highlight”. After losing to Charles Oliveira in a title fight, he bounced back by beating Rafael Fiziev via decision and then knocking out Dustin Poirier with a head kick. A win over Holloway could’ve set him up for a title shot against Islam Makhachev.

Holloway will soon be back in action, while Gaethje has yet to spar again. Here’s how the former interim UFC lightweight champion thinks the UFC 308 main event would go…

Justin Gaethje Honestly Admits Why He’s Backing Max Holloway To Beat Ilia Topuria At UFC 308

Gaethje talked about his UFC return with some reporters from outlets like MMA Junkie at Top Golf in Las Vegas recently. After mentioning the four ideal opponents, he discussed the UFC 308 main event between Ilia Topuria and Holloway.

“The Highlight” expects the challenger to emerge victorious but was heavily impressed by Topuria’s performance against Volkanovski. He appreciated the current UFC featherweight kingpin for being patient and executing his game plan perfectly at UFC 298.

Gaethje admitted that he would like Holloway to win also because the latter knocked him out cold at UFC 300. “Blessed” overwhelmed his opponent with patient yet clear striking and a similar strategy might help him reclaim gold at UFC 308.

Here’s what the former UFC BMF title holder said when asked to pick between Topuria and Holloway:

“I mean, I really hope that Max wins. I mean, Ilia was so impressive with Volkanovski, his patience. He fought an amazing fight. Um, I don’t know. I expected something different than I saw from Max, I was very impressed. And so, in my mind, I can’t see him losing but that’s cause I just got put to sleep by him.”

Read More: Merab Dvalishvili Wants To Avenge Aljamain Sterling Loss, Prove O’Malley Got ‘Lucky’

Continue Reading Justin Gaethje Makes Strong Pick For Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway At UFC 308: ‘In My Mind, I Can’t See Him Losing’ at MMA News.

Justin Gaethje weighs up fights with Dan Hooker, Charles Oliviera in UFC return: ‘I have a list’

Justin Gaethje weighs up fights with Dan Hooker, Charles Oliviera in UFC return: 'I have a list'Sidelined since his stunning knockout defeat at UFC 300 back in April, former interim lightweight champion and symbolic BMF…

Justin Gaethje weighs up fights with Dan Hooker, Charles Oliviera in UFC return: 'I have a list'

Sidelined since his stunning knockout defeat at UFC 300 back in April, former interim lightweight champion and symbolic BMF titleholder, Justin Gaethje has confirmed he has a list of opponents on his mind for a return — including Dan Hooker and a rematch with ex-champion, Charles Oliveira.

Gaethje, the current number three ranked divisional contender, has been out of action since he featured on the main card of UFC 300 earlier this year, suffering a hellacious buzzer-beating fifth round knockout loss against former undisputed featherweight champion, Max Holloway in the pair’s symbolic BMF title fight.

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Justin Gaethje lays out list of opponents for UFC return

And yet to receive booking in the time since his stunning stoppage loss, Gaethje — who managed to snatch the BMF crown back in July of last year with a similarly devastating high-kick knockout win over Dustin Poirier in the pair’s rematch, has welcomed a trilogy rubber match with the Lafayette veteran, as well as a slew of other foes.

Justin Gaethje plans six month hiatus from the UFC after KO loss to Max Holloway I want to take care of myself
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“Yeah, Dan Hooker — I have a list, I think Hooker, (Charles) Oliveira, (Dustin) Poirier and (Alexander) Volkanovski is a list of four people that I think any of those would do for me what I need to do to get back in the (title) picture,” Justin Gaethje told assembled media during a scrum ahead of Noche UFC.

And despite admitting recently how he knows his time remaining in the sport is somewhat limited, the Arizona fan-favorite insists he is not definitively out of the title picture at 155lbs.

Justin Gaethje

I’m not out of (the title race),” Justin Gaethje explained. “I’m not out of it right now, I’m not out of it tomorrow. This sport is so crazy, like I said Poirier lost to me and then got to fight for the belt. I do not believe I have reached that point, whether I’m the champion or not, who knows? It’s so hard to put a time if I ever go to sleep like I just did — I’m done.”

Dustin Poirier’s Teammate Hints At Date & Opponent For His Final UFC Fight (Exclusive)

A hunch or a leak? Dustin Poirier’s teammate appeared confident when predicting a month and opponent for his farewell fight in the UFC. It initially appeared as though fans had seen Poirier make the walk for the final time this past summer. After a vintage knockout of Benoît Saint Denis in March, the former interim […]

Continue Reading Dustin Poirier’s Teammate Hints At Date & Opponent For His Final UFC Fight (Exclusive) at MMA News.

A hunch or a leak? Dustin Poirier’s teammate appeared confident when predicting a month and opponent for his farewell fight in the UFC.

It initially appeared as though fans had seen Poirier make the walk for the final time this past summer. After a vintage knockout of Benoît Saint Denis in March, the former interim UFC lightweight champion had one last opportunity to achieve undisputed status.

But while he gave it his all through four rounds against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in Newark, “The Diamond” succumbed to a rear-naked choke in the final frame of the pay-per-view main event.

The veteran’s Octagon interview suggested that an official retirement was on the way, but the fire beneath Poirier has not fully diminished. And after pondering a farewell fight, the Louisianan has appeared to make that decision final.

Talk has since turned to which major matchup Poirier could depart the sport off the back of, and “The Diamond” himself narrowed down his options to seven big names.

A man who knows Poirier well from their ongoing stint as teammates over at American Top Team recently picked one out…

Dawson Predicts Poirier vs. Gaethje 3 In February 2025

During a recent interview with MMA News’ Ryan Jarrell, Dawson spoke on the current status of Poirier’s career and apparent plans to compete one final time before hanging up the gloves.

While reiterating his belief that “The Diamond” is not yet done, “KGD” predicted a February 2025 return for his ATT training partner but insisted that didn’t come from a place of insider knowledge.

“I think he’ll fight in February. I don’t have any insider information,” Dawson told MMA News. “I don’t know anything. There’s no (set) date or anything like that. I just don’t think he’s done. I’ve texted him a couple times and he sounds like a man who wants to fight again.”

But when pondering a date for his own next appearance inside the Octagon, the same month reared its head…

“Let’s do February, on Dustin’s card.”

In terms of an opponent, Dawson was 100 percent certain in stating that a rumored clash with former ATT standout Colby Covington is not on the table. Instead, the 30-year-old displayed a grin while producing a different name.

“I know for a fact he’s not fighting Colby Covington. I called him and asked him about it, and he said, ‘Heck no.’ He said something a little worse than ‘heck,’” Dawson said, before smiling and taking a long pause when asked who he thinks Poirier will face. “Justin Gaethje.”

Shot-in-the-dark prediction, educated guess or a statement of fact? We’ll let you decide.

Regardless, it would appear that Poirier’s mind is indeed made up and that his memorable championship clash with Makhachev won’t mark the final chapter in his story.

Continue Reading Dustin Poirier’s Teammate Hints At Date & Opponent For His Final UFC Fight (Exclusive) at MMA News.

Justin Gaethje Lists Four Opponent Options For His UFC Return

Former interim UFC lightweight champion and BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje is beginning to look ahead to his return fight. Gaethje entered 2024 riding high off the back of a memorable knockout victory over Dustin Poirier in Salt Lake City the previous July. The result saw the Arizona native avenge his 2018 loss to “The Diamond” […]

Continue Reading Justin Gaethje Lists Four Opponent Options For His UFC Return at MMA News.

Former interim UFC lightweight champion and BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje is beginning to look ahead to his return fight.

Gaethje entered 2024 riding high off the back of a memorable knockout victory over Dustin Poirier in Salt Lake City the previous July. The result saw the Arizona native avenge his 2018 loss to “The Diamond” and collect the symbolic BMF title in the process.

Although he hoped to subsequently add the 155-pound crown to his trophy cabinet, Gaethje took a detour to put his BMF belt on the line opposite featherweight legend Max Holloway.

But when the pair collided at the milestone UFC 300 event this past April, “The Highlight” was emphatically beaten, with “Blessed” following domination for the best part of five rounds with a vicious last-second KO.

Gaethje has since been allowing himself the necessary time to recover and recuperate, but he’s now getting that ‘itch’. And while sidelined, the 35-year-old has compiled a group of names he thinks can help get him back to the top…

Gaethje Open To Oliveira, Poirier Rematches Or Hooker, Volkanovski

During a recent media scrum, Gaethje provided an update on his current status and plans to return to full-contact training following the scary knockout he suffered last time out.

“The Highlight” acknowledged that he is raring to go and could be back in sparring by the end of October. With that, he’s looking ahead to his next matchup and has four names in mind for his pursuit of returning to the championship fray.

“I said I was gonna take six months before I sparred. it’s been four, and I’m gonna have a difficult time making it to six months ’cause I’m itching,” Gaethje said. “I think I’m gonna give it another month before I spar and then get back into camp. So we’ll see.

“There’s kind of like, another opportunity for somebody like how Dustin Poirier stepped in. There’s not a clear contender. Obviously I have to fight, but if I win, I’m right back in there,” Gaethje continued. “Dan Hooker (makes sense). I have a list. Hooker, (Charles) Oliveira, Poirier, and (Alexander) Volkanovski is a list of four people that I think — any of those would do for me what I need to do to get back in the picture.”

Of note there is a possible trilogy fight with Poirier, against whom Gaethje has gone 1-1 inside the Octagon.

That bout would appear to be on the table. Not only has “The Diamond” committed to one more fight following his title loss to Islam Makhachev this past June, but he’s also pointed to Gaethje as an opponent who would excite him enough.

Continue Reading Justin Gaethje Lists Four Opponent Options For His UFC Return at MMA News.

5 Fights We Need to See After UFC 305

UFC 305 went down on Saturday night in Perth, Australia, and turned out to be a career-changing night for many of the fighters on the bill. The main event…

UFC 305 went down on Saturday night in Perth, Australia, and turned out to be a career-changing night for many of the fighters on the bill. The main event…

Michael Chandler reveals dream fights: Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje if Conor McGregor clash is off

Michael Chandler reveals dream fights: Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje if Conor McGregor clash is offFormer lightweight title challenger, Michael Chandler is still hanging around for a grudge fight with former two-weight champion, Conor…

Michael Chandler reveals dream fights: Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje if Conor McGregor clash is off

Former lightweight title challenger, Michael Chandler is still hanging around for a grudge fight with former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor, however, the UFC veteran is still weighing up “dream” matchups against either Max Holloway, or former-foe, Justin Gaethje still.

Chandler, who currently holds the number six ranked lightweight challenger, has been sidelined for the last two years from the Octagon, most recently suffering a third round rear-naked choke submission loss to former interim champion, Dustin Poirier in the pair’s back-and-forth grudge fight.

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And chasing a fight with former two-division titleholder, McGregor after featuring on The Ultimate Fighter with the Dubliner last year, Michael Chandler was finally booked to fight the former at UFC 303 at the end of June at the welterweight limit.

Daniel Cormier claims Michael Chandler has be respected for his UFC run

However, pulled from the card just weeks ahead of the matchup, Chandler was left without an opponent after McGregor fractured a toe on his left foot, however, is still hoping to fight the Crumlin fighter next – amid links to an end-of-year showdown at UFC 310.

Michael Chandler weighs up fights beyond Conor McGregor

Michael Chandler addresses failed Conor McGregor fight at UFC 303 he was never the safe bet

And weighing up his options in the form of rumored fights with current BMF titleholder, Holloway as well as prior opponent, Gaethje if a fight with McGregor fails to materialize, Chandler claimed a matchup with the Hawiian would be a fan-favorite battle,

“Max (Holloway) is one of the top ones on that list when it comes to who I would love to share the octagon with,” Michael Chandler told Lucky Block during a recent interview. “Justin Gaethje, fight of the year 2021, that’s another. Me and Max would absolutely make some bloody, violent magic inside of an octagon. It could have possibly happened at the Sphere, there were a bunch of different options being thrown out there, but rightfully Max wanted to go get that featherweight title. Me and Max make a lot of sense, that’s the one that excites me the most. And I think that’s something that will get the juices flowing of the fans as well.”