Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was supposed to rematch Charles Oliveira at UFC 294 last October. However, the Brazilian pulled out due to an injury and the Dagestani went on to defeat replacement Alexander Volkanovski emphatically and become the #1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the promotion.

After UFC 294, Dana White was asked by reporters who he thought deserved to fight Makhachev next- Oliveira or BMF title holder Justin Gaethje. The UFC CEO was of the opinion that ‘Do Bronx’ deserved to fight for the title again next. However, it seems  Islam Makhavhev and his team have different plans.

Islam Makhachev manager on why Gaethje deserves title shot next

Islam Makhacehv’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz joined Brett Okamoto for an interview on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel where he was asked who he thinks should be Islam Makhachev’s next opponent. The manager told the reporter that he felt the obvious choice was BMF title holder (and his client) Justin Gaethje. Abdelaziz pointed out that not only was Gaethje a great, entertaining fighter, but also had history with Makhachev’s mentor and friend Khabib Nurmagomedov, who fought ‘The Human Highlight’ in his last professional fight in 2020.

“I think it’s obvious, man Justin Gaethje… He’s on a two fight winning streak, phenomenal
fighter. One of the greatest entertainment fight we [have] ever seen. He have the BMF title now. But you know him and Islam, it’s a history, you know. He fought Khabib, now he’s fighting Khabib’s protege and he earned it, you know, he earned it,” he said.

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Abdelaziz was all praises for Gaethje and felt the BMF champion had earned everything with his performances and did not get anything handed to him by the promotion. However, the manager also pointed out that Makhachev has promised to not say no to any name the UFC puts in front of him, and would be willing to fight whomever the UFC picks, but would prefer to fight Gaethje next.

“Justin Gaethje is a guy [who has] never been given what he wants. He earned it with sweat and blood and tear inside the cage. Islam is very interested to fight in him. But Islam you know he did this quote in the PI, he have to hold on to it, he said ‘doesn’t matter who when and how I’ll fight anybody they give me,” he added. And Abdelaziz seems to be on the same page as Makhachev on this subject.

Makhachev does not want to rematch previous opponents

Islam Makhachev has also come out and said in a recent interview that he wants to fight Justin Gaethje next as he deserved the title shot. The lightweight champion said that he was not interested in rematches, indicating he doesn’t want to face Oliveira next. However, the Dagestani may not have a choice as the UFC has booked Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan for UFC 300, and the winner would face the Dagestani next. Makhachev has fought and beaten both fighters previously and it seems he will have to face one of his previous opponents next, despite his preference not to.

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“To be honest, I’ve already said that I’m not that interested in rematches. Because if you want to win someone in a good way, you have to add new names. There is Gaethje, who I would say deserved a fight. I think it would be more interesting to fight him,” Makhachev had told reporters last month. Who do you think Islam Makhachev should fight next?

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