In two weeks (Saturday, October 21, 2023) at UFC 294, the current champion, Islam Makhachev, will face Charles Oliveira again in a rematch for the championship. According to Islam’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, if Makhachev triumphs, it would only be a matter of time before they challenge the opponent that Conor McGregor is keen to take on.
Justin Gaethje, the reigning “Baddest Motherf—ker (BMF)” champion, established himself as the top Lightweight contender for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) at UFC 291 in July 2023. And now after the talk of him taking on McGregor now Islam’s manager says he will fight Gaethje if Islam gets a win at UFC 294.
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Islam Makhachev’s team is ready to take on the opponent that Conor McGregor is keen on after UFC 294
His winning run would reach 13 if Makhachev defeated Oliveira and completed his second successful title defence. In their first battle, Makhachev submitted with an arm-triangle choke in the second round. After that, Makhachev defeated Alexander Volkanovski, the UFC Featherweight Champion. Although the pound-for-pound best matchup was exciting, Russia’s best ultimately won by unanimous decision.
Ali Abdelaziz stated to Schomo, “If Islam wins inshallah, he will fight Justin Gaethje next. This is what we want, this is what the UFC wants. Justin Gaethje earned it, too. You don’t go out there and knock out Dustin Poirier like that and don’t get a title shot. I think Justin made a statement and he earned his spot.”
Justin Gaethje also is a desired opponent for McGregor, Justin fresh off victory against Dustin Poirier at UFC 291, McGregor extended a challenge to the champion via his then Twitter post.
Gaethje rejected the Irish star’s attempt to prod him into a long-awaited clash after years of back-and-forth during his post-fight news conference. The 34-year-old American responded angrily over McGregor’s suspected use of illegal drugs while considering a potential confrontation.
Gaethje has attempted to win undisputed gold twice but has failed. Given that Gaethje initially faced off against Makhachev’s famed mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2020, both battles have ties to Makhachev. Before facing Oliveira, “The Eagle” defeated Gaethje by second-round triangle choke. Oliveira then submitted to a first-round rear-naked choke.
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