Justin Gaethje: "I’m the one who should fight Islam Makhachev next"

Justin Gaethje wants another chance at the UFC Lightweight title. He saw Islam Makhachev’s quick win over Alex Volkanovski in the first round at UFC 294. Makhachev knocked him down with a head kick and finished him with punches. Now, everyone is wondering who will face Makhachev next for the belt. Charles Oliveira was supposed to fight Islam again, but he got injured in training. Some people think Oliveira deserves it because he beat Gaethje and Beneil Dariush. But on the UFC 294 post-fight show, Justin Gaethje said that he thinks the fans want to see him fight Islam Makhachev for the 155-pound title (h/t MMAFighting).

“I’m the second-ranked fighter, I knocked out Poirier,” Gaethje said on the UFC 294 post-fight show. “Oliveira is ahead of me, but he lost to Makhachev already. I haven’t fought Makhachev yet. It’s a new and exciting matchup, and I think that’s what the fans are looking for.

“I think Makhachev would have beaten Oliveira the same way [as Volkanovski]. Oliveira beat me, but MMA math doesn’t work. I’ve said he’s not Khabib [Nurmagomedov], but he could be, so I just want to go out there and find out.”

Gaethje also said that even though Islam seems unbeatable, he would give him everything he has if he gets a chance.

“I’ve been around for a long time,” Gaethje said. “I’ve been doing this s*** for a long time, but I earned my spot. I knocked out Dustin Poirier.

“Can Islam Makhachev be beaten? I don’t know, but I’m going to give it my all as I always have.