Islam Makhachev is currently dominating the lightweight division of the UFC, continuing the legacy of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Makhachev hasn’t lost any bouts in the past 8 years in the UFC lightweight division and is now holding the UFC lightweight championship belt for the past year.
After Islam won the fight against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 via knockout, speculations have started for the UFC lightweight champ’s next opponent. Until now, Islam Makhachev has already defended the title two times.
Justin Gaethje calls out Islam Makhachev
After Volkanovski, there is one more champ up for the challenge against Islam Makhachev. Earlier this year at UFC 291 in July, the BMF title was put on the line after Jorge Masvidal vacated the belt.
Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier collided in the cage, wrapping up the 25-minute fight in 6 minutes. Gaethje secured the victory via knockout after throwing the head kick to Dustin Poirier and securing the coveted BMF title.
Waiting on the call. Ready when you are @ufc @danawhite Let’s see who can kick the others head off first @MAKHACHEVMMA Do Bronx had his shot and didn’t show up for the rematch. It is what it is. https://t.co/Wg83vtmLHm
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) December 26, 2023
After wrapping the belt around his waist, Justin has already called out Islam Makhachev for the lightweight division gold. This time Gaethje went on Twitter and made demands to the UFC and president Dana White to arrange the bout.
“Waiting on the call. Ready when you are @ufc @danawhite Let’s see who can kick the others head off first, @MAKHACHEVMMA. Do Bronx had his shot and didn’t show up for the rematch. It is what it is.”
Gaethje also took a dig at Charles Oliveira for not showing up for his rematch, as the former champ suffered an injury just a few days prior to the fight at UFC 294. Justin Ray Gaethje’s last loss was against Charles Oliveira himself when he fought for the UFC lightweight championship belt.
But before UFC’s toughest division champ, Islam Makhachev had the courtesy to reply to the BMF champ.
Islam Makhachev slams Justin Gaethje
Justin Gaethje, known for his brutal striking ability, was even praised by Khabib Nurmagomedov, who claimed he was the hardest hitter ever to hit the UFC Hall of Fame like a truck.
But Justin’s single striking ability to highlight callout sets the 32-year-old champ to set a stone-cold warning to the BMF champ. Islam Makhachev, addressing the tweet about “The Highlight” calling him out, took to Twitter.
I can do more than kicking, be careful 😉😴💤 https://t.co/yyCSbd7mVm
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) December 27, 2023
Islam Makhachev tweeted, “I can do more than kick; be careful,” which turned out to be a reminder for the former UFC lightweight title challenger. Makhachev reminded him that he doesn’t just know kicking in MMA but has many more things to do than that.
Islam, after defending the belt in October, is looking for the actual lightweight fighter challenge, but he also never faced Gaethje in the UFC Octagon.
What are your thoughts on Islam Makhachev defending the UFC lightweight title against BMF champ Justin Gaethje? Who do you think should be the next potential opponent for the champ?
