Former interim UFC lightweight champion and BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje is beginning to look ahead to his return fight.
Gaethje entered 2024 riding high off the back of a memorable knockout victory over Dustin Poirier in Salt Lake City the previous July. The result saw the Arizona native avenge his 2018 loss to "The Diamond" and collect the symbolic BMF title in the process.
Although he hoped to subsequently add the 155-pound crown to his trophy cabinet, Gaethje took a detour to put his BMF belt on the line opposite featherweight legend Max Holloway.
But when the pair collided at the milestone UFC 300 event this past April, "The Highlight" was emphatically beaten, with "Blessed" following domination for the best part of five rounds with a vicious last-second KO.
Gaethje has since been allowing himself the necessary time to recover and recuperate, but he's now getting that 'itch'. And while sidelined, the 35-year-old has compiled a group of names he thinks can help get him back to the top...
Gaethje Open To Oliveira, Poirier Rematches Or Hooker, Volkanovski
During a recent media scrum, Gaethje provided an update on his current status and plans to return to full-contact training following the scary knockout he suffered last time out.
"The Highlight" acknowledged that he is raring to go and could be back in sparring by the end of October. With that, he's looking ahead to his next matchup and has four names in mind for his pursuit of returning to the championship fray.
I said I was gonna take six months before I sparred. it's been four, and I'm gonna have a difficult time making it to six months 'cause I'm itching," Gaethje said. "I think I'm gonna give it another month before I spar and then get back into camp. So we'll see.
There's kind of like, another opportunity for somebody like how Dustin Poirier stepped in. There's not a clear contender. Obviously I have to fight, but if I win, I'm right back in there," Gaethje continued. "Dan Hooker (makes sense). I have a list. Hooker, (Charles) Oliveira, Poirier, and (Alexander) Volkanovski is a list of four people that I think — any of those would do for me what I need to do to get back in the picture.
Of note there is a possible trilogy fight with Poirier, against whom Gaethje has gone 1-1 inside the Octagon.
That bout would appear to be on the table. Not only has "The Diamond" committed to one more fight following his title loss to Islam Makhachev this past June, but he's also pointed to Gaethje as an opponent who would excite him enough.
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