Justin Gaethje has been eyeing a shot at the lightweight gold for more than a year now. “The Highlight’s” recent form in the UFC has convinced him that he deserves the next opportunity to fight for the title.
However, Gaethje also has a shocking backup plan for the worst-case scenario. His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, recently disclosed that Gaethje wouldn’t hesitate to call the curtains on his career if his title shot aspirations aren’t fulfilled.
Justin Gaethje wants the UFC to return his favors with a title shot
Gaethje set his eyes on the UFC lightweight title after his BMF title victory against Dustin Poirier at UFC 291. However, “The Highlight” crashed out of the title race soon, suffering a defeat in his subsequent encounter against Max Holloway at UFC 300.
The Arizona native returned to winning ways in his next bout against Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313. Fiziev showcased a lot of resilience despite accepting the fight on a 12-day notice. “Ataman” answered Gaethje’s thudding strikes with several strong ones of his own.
However, Fiziev failed to do enough to earn the judges’ nod, as the former BMF champion won the fight via unanimous decision. After Joe Rogan asked about his next step during his Octagon interview, Gaethje mentioned that he wanted to leave it at the UFC’s discretion.
Nevertheless, “The Highlight” changed his stance completely by the post-UFC 313 press conference. One of the reporters asked Gaethje the same question Rogan had asked. This time, the former BMF champ mentioned that he wants a title shot next.
“I want to fight for the belt, obviously,” said Gaethje. “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.”
Currently, Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira are scheduled to fight for the UFC lightweight gold at the main event of UFC 317. However, in a recent interview with Submission Radio, Gaethje’s manager, Abdelaziz, revealed that “The Highlight” is desperate for the next title shot.
An X update from @RedCorner_MMA highlighted a section of Abdelaziz’s interview where he also disclosed that Gaethje was a true company man who had saved the UFC “two times.” Hence, he now wanted Dana White and Co. to return his favors by granting him a title shot.
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“Justin Gaethje fights the winner [of the UFC 317 main event]. He has won the last three of his four fights. He saved the UFC two times,” said Abdelaziz.
Gaethje’s manager also disclosed that “The Highlight” feels disrespected by the way UFC allegedly neglected him, which is why he might “hang up his gloves” if he isn’t provided with the next title shot.
“He said, ‘[If] I’m not going to fight for the title, I’m just going to hang up my gloves.’ He said, I’m not going to get a title shot. I feel disrespected. I love being a UFC fighter. I love the UFC, but I feel the UFC have to love me back, and he he doesn’t feel the love right now.”
Well, nobody except time can document if Dana White and Co. will honor Gaethje’s wish to fight for the title next. However, fans wouldn’t like it at all if “The Highlight” actually declared retirement because he was barred from his title shot aspiration.