Despite his past title failures, Justin Gaethje remains determined to capture the UFC lightweight championship.
His recent victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313 has reignited his hopes of reclaiming the title, currently held by Islam Makhachev.
Gaethje, bouncing back from a knockout loss to Max Holloway, expressed his interest in facing the Dagestani post-fight. While he acknowledges that his second win over Fiziev may not guarantee him a title shot next, “The Highlight” recognizes its positive impact on his position in the division.
His recent record showcases a strong run, with three wins in his last four fights, including decision victories over Fiziev and a knockout of Dustin Poirier that earned him the BMF title. His only loss in that span came against Holloway at UFC 300.
“I want to fight for the belt, obviously,” Justin Gaethje said at the UFC 313 post-fight press conference. “That’s a much different matchup than the one I just had. They tried to give me a doughnut. I took a bite, but I’ve got to get back to running if I’m going to fight Makhachev.”
Following his UFC 313 victory, Gaethje is weighing his options for his next fight. One potential matchup is off the table: a third bout against Poirier.
“No, I’ve stated many times that I don’t think either one of our families deserves that,” Gaethje said. “We’re 1-1. I’m OK with it. If he’s OK with it, then no. I think we’re contenders, but we need to beat other people. If I beat him, I don’t think either one of us would be considered a contender.”
