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UFC 300 Could Be the End for Justin Gaethje as Max Holloway’s Unexpected Move Leaves BMF’s Islam Makhachev Ambitions Hanging

Published 01/19/2024, 12:44 AM EST

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Justin Gaethje may have taken a wrong step in his quest to become the UFC lightweight champion according to Chael Sonnen. The current BMF title holder will be taking on former featherweight champion, Max Holloway, who is moving up to 155 lbs, at UFC 300. But according to Sonnen, the fight may cause problems for Gaethje in his journey to fight Islam Makhachev, the lightweight champion.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Sonnen revealed that while Gaethje made an undeniable statement with his knockout of Dustin Poirier at UFC 291, he may have put himself in an unfair situation for the future. According to Sonnen, the decision to take on Holloway may even have repercussions for the entire lightweight division!

Justin Gaethje and BMF fight blunder explained by Chael Sonnen 

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In a recent revelation, Chael Sonnen shed light on a potential blunder by Justin Gaethje in accepting the BMF fight against Max Holloway at UFC 300. Sonnen asserted, “We can’t find ourselves in a situation where Justin Gaethje loses to Max, he loses the BMF title but he does not lose number one contendership.”

According to Sonnen, the upcoming Holloway fight puts everything at stake for Gaethje. The MMA analyst emphasized the need for consistency in the rules, stating that if Gaethje loses to Holloway, he should not only lose the BMF title but also relinquish his number 1 contendership.

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Sonnen stated, “But if that’s the rules we’re playing by then it has to go both ways. Which means if Max beats Gaethje, he takes the belt that they’re fighting for and he fights Islam next.”

Sonnen also stressed that “…if we’re not fighting for number one contendership then that would mean regardless of the outcome, Gaethje fights Islam next, we know that’s not the rules that we play under.”

The argument revolves around maintaining fairness and consistency in the sport’s regulations. In essence, Sonnen’s insights highlight the potential ramifications of Gaethje’s decision to take on the BMF fight and the possibility that if he loses to Holloway, he may not get a shot at Makhachev’s belt.

Watch This Story: Unsealed Documents Expose Dana White Turning His Back On Jon Jones 

 As UFC 300 approaches, the narrative surrounding the bout gains complexity with Charles Oliveira’s coach also making some interesting statements regarding his claim as the no. 1 contender for the lightweight title!

Islam Makhachev put on notice by ‘Do Bronx’s coach  

Charles Oliveira’s coach and manager, Diego Lima, believes that Islam Makhachev is looking for a way out of fighting ‘Do Bronx’! Despite Makhachev expressing plans for a bout with Justin Gaethje in June, Lima is confident that Makhachev is attempting to avoid a rematch with Oliveira.

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UFC CEO Dana White recently announced that the winner of the upcoming Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan bout would earn a title shot later in the year. As such, Lima in an interview with MMAFighting stated, “Makhachev is great, he’s the champion for a reason. The guy is really good and has all the merits, but I think it’s clear that he doesn’t want to fight Charles again. He wants out of this fight any way possible. It’s more than clear.”

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Oliveira, after defeating Beneil Dariush, was originally next in line for Makhachev, but due to injuries and scheduling issues, Oliveira had to stay active and fight to secure his shot at the belt. Lima stressed the need for Oliveira to remain in rhythm and not risk missing out on significant opportunities. Oliveira’s eagerness for challenges and the strategic decision to stay active amid uncertainties underscore the Brazilian fighter’s commitment to his career trajectory, which has been defined by facing top-tier opponents.

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As UFC 300 approaches, the anticipation builds for the outcome of the Gaethje vs Holloway clash and the Oliveira-Tsarukyan matchup and the subsequent title implications in the lightweight division!

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Written by:

Dushyant Patni

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I am Dushyant Patni, a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. My passion for Mixed Martial Arts started because my father used to be a boxer and a martial arts fanatic. It passed down to me as my first pair of boxing gloves were his old ones! Prior to joining EssentiallySports, I honed my writing and editing skills across various organizations as a writer and an editor.
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Edited by:

Joyita Das