UFC BMF Champion Justin Gaethje recently called out UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev and took a shot at Charles Oliveira.
It has been noted that Makhachev is expected to defend the 155-pound championship against Oliveira next. However, the bout is expected to be officially booked. The Dagestani grappling stalwart defeated the featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski twice over the past year. The first win came via a hard-fought unanimous decision at UFC 284 in February and then a first-round knockout at UFC 294 in October.
Islam Makhachev was initially booked for his highly anticipated rematch against ‘Do Bronx’ at UFC 294 and the Brazilian was forced to pull out due to injury before subsequently getting replaced by Volkanovski on short notice.
As Oliveira missed his opportunity to attain retribution of his previous second-round submission loss against Makhachev at UFC 280, the promotion was keen to grant him the rematch.
Justin Gaethje wants to challenge Islam Makhachev
Justin Gaethje is seemingly unhappy with the idea and he took to his social media to call out Makhachev and thus dismissed Oliveira as the next title contender. Taking to his Twitter account, Gaethje reacted to a video clip of his second-round head kick KO against Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 and wrote:
“Waiting on the call. Ready when you are @ufc, @danawhite. Let’s see who can kick the other’s head off first @MAKHACHEVMMA. ‘Do Bronx’ had his shot and didn’t show up for the rematch. It is what it is.”
Waiting on the call. 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. https://t.co/Wg83vtmLHm
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) December 26, 2023
Fans react
Some fans took note of Justin Gaethje’s Tweet. While some agreed with him, others were not a fan of the idea. Here are some of the fan reactions:
@SteamRollaa: “Go get that belt bro 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻”
@Dust3n: “The most anticipated matchup in the lightweight division. This fight needs to happen asap!!”
@MMACHICK_ : “GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT @danawhite”
@OceanicMMA: “Great test for both! I’m keen to see 🤙🏽🔥”
@bmurphy69420: “You 100% deserve that fight!”
@JohModelll: “I don’t think you have any chance against one of them.. But let’s see”
@bruddahboo: “Attaboy! Nobody wants the Max fight. Go for the title!”
GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT @danawhite
— MMA CHICK🧜🏼♀️ (@MMACHICK_) December 26, 2023
This actually makes sense
But careful what you ask for pic.twitter.com/RSo4g4nMeG— Kenny Okoye🇳🇬 (@TruthfulUfcFan) December 26, 2023
The most anticipated matchup in the lightweight division. This fight needs to happen asap!!
— Dustin (@Dust3n) December 26, 2023
Go get that belt bro 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻
— Matt “The Steamrolla”Frevola (@SteamRollaa) December 26, 2023
Attaboy! Nobody wants the Max fight. Go for the title!
— Wing ur Fekin Bell (@bruddahboo) December 27, 2023
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