Justin Gaethje’s clock is ticking and the 26-5 MMA star knows it. The former interim lightweight champ and former BMF champion has been active in UFC since 2017 and now the 36-year-old is at the dusk of his career. Since becoming the interim champion, ‘The Highlight’ has always been in high-stakes fights, always hovering in the division’s top five. Having competed twice for an undisputed title, Gaethje wants one last shot at lightweight gold. And a former UFC fighter and analyst is all in for Justin Gaethje challenging Islam Makhachev.

Taking to his YouTube channel, ‘The Count’ said that the fight between Makhachev and Gaethje could serve as the perfect redemption opportunity for ‘The Highlight’. Bisping said, “Charles Oliveira he is number two and then we got Justin Gaethje at number three. Now Justin Gaethje hasn’t fought Islam Makhachev. So that would be a fresh title. Justin Gaethje isn’t getting any younger either. I think we would all sign off Justin Gaethje vs Islam Makhachev Justin gets to go in there right the wrongs from the Khabib Nurmagomedov fight and finish his career as the UFC lightweight champion of the world.”

Gaethje has put on some epic fights for the fans, and ‘The Count’ thinks that he deserves the title shot. Meanwhile, Bisping also pointed out another reason for this matchup to work: the feud between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira.

Now, the lightweight division is rife with contenders, with names such as Ilia Topuria, Charles Oliveira, and even Arman Tsarukyan gunning for the title. While Dana White made it clear that Tsarukyan has to earn his way back to the title, Topuria and Oliveira have been going back and forth regarding who should fight for the title next. Who knows, maybe the UFC will pit the Spaniard against the Brazilian in a grudge match. Bisping thinks this is the perfect opportunity for Gaethje to make a beeline to the title.

But that’s the thing. Both Oliveira and Topuria are adamant about only fighting for a title next. During a Spanish press conference, the newly nicknamed ‘La Leyenda’ said, “Afterwards, if it’s going to be Islam, if it’s going to be Charles, I have no idea. The belt will be on the line. It will be on the line, that was the promise for leaving my title vacant. They’ve always kept their promises.”

However, Topuria and Oliveira seem to be predisposed to each other. And Michael Bisping has the perfect plan for Justin Gaethje to slip by and fight himself across the Octagon from Islam Makhachev.

Michael Bisping lays out a plan for Justin Gaethje

The lightweight division is going through a turbulent time with so many contenders waiting in the bleachers for an opportunity to fight for the title. Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and now Ilia Topuria. How does one solve this conundrum? We can safely count out Tsarukyan for now, but what about the other three?

Mentioning the three possible contenders, Michael Bisping said, “So Topuria is being dismissive. There’s Oliveira talking s**t. Topuria needs to prove himself, apparently, according to the champ. Oliveira needs that last final fight to get over the hump to challenge for the belt. And, in the meantime, you got Justin Gaethje, a fan favorite, a company man that’s always putting on great fights,” on his YouTube channel.

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The Georgian Spaniard and ‘Do Bronx’ are engaged in a verbal spat, and this could serve as an advantage for ‘The Highlight’. Bisping said that Gaethje could just stay on the sidelines and watch the fight unfold between Topuria and Oliveira if he wants to get the title fight. “All Justin Gaethje’s got to do is stay nice and quiet. Let these two keep chatting it up, talking a bit of s–t, and Justin Gaethje might just emerge out of this a the winner, as the guy that gets to go up against Islam Makhachev,” Michael Bisping added. 

Will Bisping’s plan work? Do you think Gaethje will get a title shot? Share your thoughts in the comments below.