LAS VEGAS – Justin Gaethje had his shot at the UFC lightweight title, but that doesn’t mean he’s done pursuing the belt.
Gaethje, who bounced back from his KO loss to Max Holloway this past Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 313, made it clear that he’s still chasing gold. The 36-year-old wants his shot at champion Islam Makhachev. He’s unsure his decision win over Rafael Fiziev will get him there, but it definitely helps his cause.
“I want to fight for the belt, obviously,” Gaethje said at the UFC 313 post-fight press conference when asked what’s next. “That’s a much different matchup than the one I just had. They tried to give me a doughnut. I took a bite, but I’ve got to get back to running if I’m going to fight Makahchev.”
Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) doesn’t know what makes sense for him next after UFC 313, but one thing is clear: No trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier.
“No, I’ve stated many times that I don’t think that either one of our families deserve that,” Gaethje said. “We’re 1-1. I’m OK with it. If he’s OK with it, then no. I think we’re contenders, but if we beat other people. If I beat him, I don’t think either one of us would be considered a contender.”
Gaethje is 3-1 in his past four UFC outings, with two decision wins over Fiziev and a KO win over Poirier – which got him the UFC’s BMF title. His lone loss came to Holloway in the co-main event of UFC 300 last April. It was MMA Junkie’s Knockout of the Year for 2024.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.
