Justin Gaethje Continues To Vent Frustration Over UFC Lightweight Title Snub o4o4x

Justin Gaethje has continued to vent his frustration after being snubbed of a UFC Lightweight Title shot at UFC 317.

Instead, Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira are fighting for the vacant 155-pound title following Islam Makhachev’s move up to welterweight, with ‘The Highlight’ being overlooked.

Justin Gaethje Still Raging About UFC Lightweight Title Snub 6a5d3f

Justin Gaethje is still upset about being overlooked for a vacant UFC Lightweight Title shot at UFC 317 at the end of June. Instead, Charles Oliveira headlines looking to become a two-time UFC champion as he is the opponent for Ilia Topuria’s next fight up at 155-pounds.

It’s fair to say that ‘The Highlight’ isn’t exactly pleased about being overlooked for a UFC Lightweight Title shot again, and has continued to vent his frustration over the past month or so. In the interim, a few different names have been thrown about as potential opponents for Justin Gaethje’s next fight.

However, if Gaethje is to fight someone else in a non-UFC Title fight, then he is expecting to be paid a fortune for it.

The #3 ranked lightweight contender has now revealed that he is done being Mr Nice Guy, and feels like he is owed a championship fight. This means that Gaethje is expecting nothing less than challenging the Topuria vs Oliveira winner for the 155-pound belt next.

Whether that happens or not remains to be seen, with the 36-year-old only happy to take risky fights if he is paid handsomely for them. If not, then it’s a UFC Lightweight Title shot or nothing.

‘The Highlight’ has revealed that he is one bad knockout away from retiring from the sport, and will only continue to take ‘fun’ fights if he is financially rewarded properly. At the end of the day, Gaethje’s goal remains becoming UFC champion first and foremost.

Gaethje: ‘I’m Not Gonna Fight For Fun Anymore’ 1p4s2l

With Islam Makhachev’s next fight being against Jack Della Maddalena up at welterweight, the lightweight division is now wide open. Justin Gaethje is one man that can take advantage of that, but had itted he only wants big money fights or championship opportunities:

“I’m not gonna fight for fun anymore,” Gaethje revealed on the last episode of the Makeshift Project Podcast.

“They owe me a championship fight. I’m 3-1 the last four. They came to my house, begged me to fight Max Holloway at UFC 300. In what I consider an exhibition fight – I don’t mean that the loss is not on my record, I mean it had nothing to do with the rankings, you know?

“I’m not going fight any of these motherf****rs for fun, unless they pay me so much more money,” Gaethje continued.

“I’m gonna take a risky fight, and if I lose, I’m gonna be set up [financially]. If I win, I’m fighting for a belt. Or I’m not doing it.

“‘I’m done doing s**t here. And I love fighting for this s**t. I’d never wanna fight somewhere else [than the UFC]. But I’m not gonna just throw my legacy away for for anybody,” the 26-5 lightweight contender concluded.

Will Justin Gaethje’s Next Fight Be Against Paddy Pimblett Instead? 6y1k3v

Following his exciting win over Rafael Fiziev in the UFC 313 rematch, Justin Gaethje was holding out hope for a shot at the vacant UFC Lightweight Title next. However, that obviously hasn’t worked out in his favour.

Now, ‘The Highlight’ will have to face another of the top 155-pound contenders before he gets his shot at UFC gold. As the #3 ranked fighter in the lightweight division, Gaethje could be in with a great chance at being the next challenger to the UFC 317 main event winner between Topuria and Oliveira.

In the meantime though, he will need another fight. Arman Tsarukyan is the #1 contender at lightweight, so that fight could happen. The Dan Hooker fight could also get re-booked once ‘Hangman’ recovers from injury.

Instead, Gaethje might have to look even further down the rankings. One man that has been mentioned as a potential next fight for Gaethje is Paddy Pimblett.

‘The Baddy’ was last seen stopping Michael Chandler at UFC 314, and now has his sights set on the top 5. Gaethje is almost the perfect next opponent for Paddy Pimblett’s next fight, with these fight rumours now gathering momentum.

Gaethje vs Pimblett still has a lot of work to be done before it could be officially announced by UFC President Dana White. If it does get signed, it could co-headline UFC 319.

Should he beat Pimblett if indeed the fight, then there is no denying that Justin Gaethje’s next fight after that should be against the Topuria vs Oliveira winner for the UFC Lightweight Title. Period.