Manager: Justin Gaethje deserves Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira winner after UFC 317
Manager: Justin Gaethje deserves Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira winner after UFC 317
With the UFC lightweight division getting a makeover in the aftermath of Islam Makhachev vacating the title, Justin Gaethje's position for a title shot has seemingly improved.
A new champion will be crowned in just over one month when Ilia Topuria takes on Charles Oliveira for the vacant belt in the UFC 317 headliner on June 28 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). What happens after that remains to be seen.
Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) was already making the pitch for him to fight for the belt next before Makhachev vacated, as he represented a fresh matchup for the now-former champ. With Makhachev out of the picture now, though, Gaethje's manager, Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA, still thinks he's next in line.
"I think Justin Gaethje's the No. 1 contender," Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. "He was supposed to fight Dan Hooker, and Hooker didn't show up. He stepped up for the company, fought Rafael Fiziev (at UFC 313), and I think he should wait and fight the winner. That's what I think he should do, but in reality, this game leaves people behind, and I don't want this game to leave him behind. If it makes sense, Justin will fight. Justin is afraid of no one. He will fight anyone. It has to make sense for him."
With the way the 155-pound division is being booked, Gaethje is likely looking at a matchup with Paddy Pimblett (who recently called him out) or Arman Tsarukyan if he doesn't get the title shot. Abdelaziz said he's not opposed to either pairing, but simply wants the fight that would put his client in an undeniable spot.
"Who cares? It doesn't matter," Abdelaziz said. "If you're a fighter and you think you're the best in the world, you have to beat the best guys. You don't pick and choose. Justin Gaethje never picked an opponent, never chose an opponent. He will fight you anywhere, any time. It doesn't really matter, but it has to be fair. A guy who gave his title shot to save International Fight Week and fight Max Holloway. He knocked out Dustin Poirier and Dustin Poirier got a title shot. How are you going to tell him he can't get the next title shot?"
Abdelaziz and Gaethje will likely be waiting and watching to see what happens at UFC 317, and whether it's Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) or Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) who goes home with the belt. Gaethje would love the chance to avenge his first-round submission loss to Oliveira from UFC 274 if he emerges with gold, but if it's Topuria, then Abdelaziz thinks that's a massive fight for the sport.
"If Ilia wins, Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria is a blockbuster fight," Abdelaziz said.
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