Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has explained why he previously said that the no.2 ranked Justin Gaethje doesn’t deserve a shot at the UFC lightweight title. One of the latest debates taking place in the MMA community was regarding the next top contender in the UFC’s lightweight division. The top two choices for this were Islam Makhachev and Justin Gaethje. Both of them were coming off impressive wins over top contenders in the division. Islam defeated Dan Hooker and Justin Gatehje defeated former title challenger Michael Chandler. Khabib Nurmagoemdov jumped into the debate and took the side of his best friend Islam who is riding a 9-fight win streak.
Khabib took to social media where he told Justin Gaethje to shut up and let Islam get the title shot.
“In last 8 fight, you got finished 3 times Justin,” Khabib Nurmagomedov wrote. “You had an opportunity to become champion, but you fell asleep Islam is on the 9 win streak, 3 fight in 2021 and all finishes. Just shut up and admit that Islam deserves this title shot, not you” Khabib Nurmagomedov said.
Khabib now revealed why he gave such a cold response to Justin Gatehje’s title shot claim. Khabib first stated that it was him who responded to Justin and not his manager Ali.
“It was myself,” Nurmagomedov told ESPN. “It was not Ali, 100 percent. Even if it was Ali, like Ali is never going to write something like that to Justin Gaethje. I know they have good relationship, like many years, like maybe like seven or eight years. These guys are like very good friends, you know?”
“I just shared with him my opinion,” Nurmagomedov said. “my opinion Islam deserves this, you know? Of course, I understand that Justin is very exciting. Justin is like, he’s a real highlight. He’s a real highlight. But it’s my opinion.
“I think like anybody in UFC right now, doesn’t matter lightweight, light heavyweight, heavyweight, any weight classes – if you have nine (fight) win streak, you have to fight for the title.”
According to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje had his title shot when he fought Khabib at UFC 254. Khabib defeated Justin in the second round via submission. Khabib feels that the UFC lightweight division needs a new face and a new challenger. According to Khabib, Islam is riding a 9-fight winning streak which gives him an edge over the rest of the fighters in his division ahs, no 0ne has this big streak except the champion.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals why Justin Gaethje shouldn’t get a title shot
- Khabib Nurmagomedov says Islam gets this title shot because of his 9-fight winning streak
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