Justin Gaethje ruled out competing in a lightweight title fight this summer ahead of his loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300. But he has every intention to eventually dethrone Islam Makhachev, the reigning champion at 155 pounds.
Gaethje signed with the UFC in 2017 after a successful stint with the World Series of Fighting. The Arizona native has already made his mark in the lightweight division and still aims to capture a world title before calling it quits.
Makhachev stands in his way as the No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC’s men’s division. In order for Gaethje to get his shot at the Russian title holder, he’ll need a convincing win over an equal talent in the division.
Here’s everything you need to know about Gaethje’s next MMA fight, which may not come until the tail end of 2024.
Contents
- Who will Justin Gaethje fight next?
- When did Justin Gaethje last fight?
- What weight class does Gaethje fight in?
- What is Justin Gaethje’s MMA record?
Who will Justin Gaethje fight next?
Gaethje’s next fight has not been confirmed. He’s expected to take several months off after losing his BMF title to Holloway at UFC 300.
In order to compete for the lightweight crown upon his return, Gaethje may have to down one of the two fighters ahead of him in the rankings.
Charles Oliveira makes sense for his next bout. Oliveira also lost at UFC 300, which sets the stage for both to try and rebound from their losses. Further, the Brazilian fighter got the better of Gaethje at UFC 274, so avenging this loss to could set the stage for a trilogy.
Then there’s Arman Tsarukyan. The Armenian striker has called out Gaethje several times in the past.
Most recently, he told Gaethje to wait in line for a shot at Makhachev’s title before beating Oliveira at UFC 300 to become the No. 1 contender. The former WSOF standout can fight Tsarukyan to establish himself as No. 2 in the rankings.
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Besides Oliveira and Tsarukyan, Conor McGregor’s name is currently buzzing. Gaethje can exploit this and try to best the all-time great. They’d put on a show with fighting styles that matchup stylistically.
Gaethje did come at McGregor when asked about a potential matchup after his UFC 291 win against Dustin Poirier, saying, “I’m not going to fight someone on steroids.” Albeit, his attitude could shift if a prize-fight is on the table.
Depending on the way things unfold from now until the fall, Gaethje could even find himself in the octagon against Makhachev in his return. It all depends on how long he’s away from the sport recovering.
When did Justin Gaethje last fight?
Justin Gaethje last fought against Max Holloway at UFC 300. The 35-year-old lost his BMF (Baddest Motherf****r) title in shocking fashion after Holloway knocked him out with one second remaining in the fifth and final round of the bout.
The match received high praise in its aftermath. It is now regarded as one of the greatest fights in the history of the UFC promotion.
What weight class does Gaethje fight in?
Gaethje fights in the lightweight division. He weighed 156 pounds against Holloway and in his penultimate fight against Dustin Poirier on July 29, 2023 at UFC 291. He avenged himself from his first loss against Poirier in 2018 by way of knockout with a kick to the head in the second round.
What is Justin Gaethje’s MMA record?
After losing to Holloway, Gaethje fell to 25-5 for his career. He became a professional in 2011 and earned an 8-0 record competing in regional matches in Colorado and Arizona.
Gaethje joined the World Series of Fighting at WSOF 2 and went undefeated at 9-0 in that promotion as well. He carried over his 17-0 record into the UFC when he joined Dana White’s promotion in 2017. He’s gone 8-5 in UFC competition since.