Justin Gaethje Explains Why He Deserves UFC Title Shot More Than Charles Oliveira: "He Had His Shot"
Justin Gaethje may have a loss against Charles Oliveira, but he feels he's more deserving of a UFC title shot at this point.
Islam Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion, and he awaits his next challenger once he's ready to step back inside the Octagon. Makhachev's team has been adamant about giving Gaethje the next title shot, but the UFC could revisit the planned Oliveira rematch. Makhachev submitted "do Bronx" back in 2022, and the two were supposed to have a rematch before Oliveira was pulled after suffering a cut during sparring.
In a social media post on X, Justin Gaethje shared why he thinks he should get a UFC Lightweight Championship opportunity next.
"Waiting on the call," Gaethje wrote. "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."
Gaethje was submitted by Oliveira back in May 2022 in the first round. "The Highlight" rebounded with a majority decision win over Rafael Fiziev and a second-round head kick KO win over Dustin Poirier to capture the symbolic BMF Championship.
At the age of 35 and having had his share of wars, it's easy to see why Gaethje is pushing for what could be his last chance to win undisputed gold under the UFC banner. Gaethje is a former interim UFC champion, but he was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov in their title unification bout.
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