“We’ll see how this plays out for him next year. He’s not getting the title shot, which means he’s going to have to fight his way back to the title,” Dana White stated during the UFC 311 post-fight presser in January. The UFC boss confirmed that he would not grant Arman Tsarukyan—the top-ranked lightweight contender—a title shot upon his return. This decision followed the unfortunate cancellation of the Armenian’s scheduled fight against reigning champion Islam Makhachev, who pulled out due to a back injury, leaving Tsarukyan’s title opportunity in limbo.
However, last week at UFC 313, Justin Gaethje, the former BMF champion, put on one of the best performances of his career against Rafael Fiziev, securing a unanimous decision victory. The win not only earned him the Performance of the Night bonus but also placed him firmly back in the title picture. Despite being part of the 155lbs division for years, ‘The Highlight’ and Islam Makhachev never crossed paths, but he made his intentions clear, stating, “I want to fight for the belt.” Dana White also reinforced the possibility of Gaethje receiving a title shot, noting, “The odds of him getting the title shot are pretty good.”
With Justin Gaethje now in the mix, rumors have emerged linking Charles Oliveira and ex- featherweight champ Ilia Topuria as possible challengers for Islam Makhachev’s lightweight title. Meanwhile, Arman Tsarukyan has voiced his frustration over how opportunities continue to slip through his fingers. In an interview with The Schmo on YouTube, ‘Ahalkalakets’ expressed his desire to face a “top five” opponent, mentioning both Oliveira and Gaethje as potential matchups. However, he quickly shot down the idea of ‘The Highlight’ receiving a direct title shot, calling it “unfair.”
He explained, “Gaethje wants to fight for the title, and it makes sense to fight with me because nobody’s going to give him a title fight. It’s not going to be fair if he gets a title fight, so he has to beat me or Oliveira to get that title shot… I think they’re going to give me Oliveira, Gaethje, or maybe a title fight.”
March 8, 2025, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: JUSTIN GAETHJE 27-5-0 of Tucson, AZ defeats RAFAEL FIZIEV 12-4-0 of Korday, Kazakhstan by unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 during UFC 313 at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas Las Vegas USA – ZUMAo117 20250308_zsp_o117_071 Copyright: xMikaelxOnax
However, a title shot might seem like a far-off goal for Arman Tsarukyan, as the unwritten rule in the UFC dictates that a fighter backing out of a title opportunity must prove themselves again to re-enter the picture. Take Charles Oliveira, for example, who was initially set to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 284, but an eye injury dashed his hopes. Despite that setback, Oliveira bounced back with a win at UFC 309, which many believed would set him on the path to a title shot. With Justin Gaethje now in the mix, Team Khabib appears to favor the Arizonian over both Tsarukyan and Oliveira. Let’s hear what Team Khabib’s coach has to say.
Islam Makhachev’s coach approves a potential fight against Justin Gaethje
After years in the UFC, Justin Gaethje has yet to claim the undisputed lightweight title. While he did secure the interim championship, his title ambitions were derailed when he faced UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254. A few years later, the Arizonian earned another shot at the top spot in the UFC’s deepest division at UFC 274, but Charles Oliveira crushed his hopes. Although Oliveira missed weight and was stripped of the belt, he still managed to defeat Gaethje in dominant fashion.
Now, at 36 years old, with speculation surrounding the end of his career, Justin Gaethje is once again in the title conversation. Islam Makhachev, the reigning champion and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protégé, has already defended his belt four times and is expected to move up a division by the end of 2025. However, before that transition happens, the search for a fresh challenger is on, and ‘The Highlight’s name has emerged as a leading contender. Despite their long careers in the UFC, it is surprising that Gaethje and Makhachev have never crossed paths inside the Octagon.
Justin Gaethje’s emphatic victory at UFC 313 has thrust him back into the title picture. Even UFC President Dana White has emphasized his high ranking as a key factor in determining the next challenger. Speaking to Submission Radio yesterday, Makhachev’s coach, Javier Mendez, gave his honest take on a potential fight: “That would be, ideally for us, the perfect matchup based on his standing and what he’s done. He’s a big, well-known guy, and Islam hasn’t fought him, so it’s perfect.”
However, Arman Tsarukyan has voiced his frustrations, questioning whether Gaethje truly deserves the next title opportunity. Should the Arizonian get the shot, or has Charles Oliveira done enough to stake his claim? Share your thoughts below!
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