Justin Gaethje’s spectacular BMF title win at UFC 291 has cemented his legacy as one of the GOATs in the UFC. However, ever since the fight, fans and pundits are pondering – who’s next for ‘The Highlight’?

UFC’s ‘Notorious’ star Conor McGregor has already expressed a desire to clash with the #2 Lightweight. But it doesn’t look like anything’s going to come out of it. So is Gaethje eyeing the title shot next? Well, according to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s infamous manager, if The Highlight is indeed gaining ground on his title shot – a clash with the Lightweight champ Islam Makhachev is definitely on the books. What’s more – in a recent interview, ‘The Eagle’s manager has made some startling suggestions about a potential fight between the two Lightweight top guns.

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager has some intriguing ideas for a potential clash between Gaethje and Makhachev

In an interview with ESPN MMA’s Marc Raimondi, Ali Abdelaziz gave his two cents on what could be next for the new BMF champ. He asserted, “Justin Gaethje certified himself – [he] is the number one contender for the Lightweight Championship.”

Abdelaziz outlined a vision that involves a clash between Gaethje and Makhachev, suggesting it as a marquee fight that the UFC can present to the world.

Backing his claim, Abdelaziz continued, “I think Justin Gaethje will be Islam Makhachev’s toughest fight – because he can wrestle – he can strike.“

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The assertion reflects a high regard for both fighters’ skill sets, acknowledging Gaethje’s versatility and Makhachev’s prowess. But Abdelaziz’s perspective doesn’t stop there. He confidently snubbed the #1 UFC P4P Alexander Volkanovski, arguing, “But, I also believe Islam is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world today.“

Ali Abdelaziz questions Justin Gaethje’s #13 UFC pound-for-pound ranking

The conversation took an intriguing turn as Abdelaziz delved into Gaethje’s dominance and its consequences for opponents. The manager expressed his conviction in Gaethje’s prowess, even challenging the current rankings.

“And I see they put Justin Gaethje #13, right – I think you have to put Justin Gaethje before Adesanya. You have to put Justin Gaethje before Leon Edwards,” he asserted. Abdelaziz’s confidence in Gaethje’s abilities echoes the sentiment that Gaethje’s skill and impact deserve higher recognition.

A striking sentiment emerged as Abdelaziz emphasized Gaethje’s unique ability to leave a lasting impression on his opponents. “The way he dominated people – this is a real pound-for-pound right, who can shut your lights out…He’s different – when you fight Gaethje and he beat you – you’re never the same fighter, because he takes something from you,” Abdelaziz concluded.

As the UFC contenders seek their paths to glory, the prospect of a Gaethje-Makhachev showdown looms tantalizingly on the horizon.

Watch this story: Dustin Poirier Claims He Is Better Than Justin Gaethje Despite Losing BMF Championship at UFC 291