Off the again of his UFC 311 victory final weekend, Islam Makhachev has recognized soon-to-return former interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje as a great opponent for him subsequent — urging the previous to return to profitable methods at UFC 313 in March to safe himself a summer time title shot.
Islam Makhachev, the present undisputed light-weight champion and pound-for-pound primary below the banner of the promotion, returned to motion final weekend in the primary occasion of UFC 311.
Assembly with Brasilia favourite, Renato Moicano on only a day’s discover after the withdrawal from slated opponent, Arman Tsarukyan, Russian star, Islam Makhachev stopped the previous with a primary spherical D’Arce choke submission win on the Intuit Dome in California.
Justin Gaethje provided summer time title combat by Islam Makhachev
And linked with a title rematch in opposition to both the above-mentioned, Tsarukyan or former champion, Charles Oliveira, Islam Makahchev shut down a title conflict with each subsequent, as a substitute providing Gaethje a shot at his throne must be beat Dan Hooker over 5 rounds at UFC 313 in two months’ time.
“I like this concept as a result of I haven’t fought Justin (Gaethje) but… I’ve already fought [Oliveira and Tsarukyan], and getting ready for a similar opponent just isn’t such an enormous motivation,” Islam Makhachev informed Ushatayka throughout a current interview. “But when Gaethje exhibits himself nicely within the subsequent combat, we will meet.”
Himself sidelined since he featured on the primary card of UFC 300 final yr, Arizona striker, Gaethje most not too long ago dropped the symbolic BMF championship in a shocking fifth spherical buzzer-beating knockout loss to former featherweight gold holder, Max Holloway in Las Vegas.
Booked to co-headline UFC 313 in March, Gaethje will tackle Metropolis Kickboxing striker, Hooker — who boldly claims he’s a “harmful” opponent for him to be dealing with in his return to motion.
“I’m a Justin Gaethje fan, and yeah, clearly admire him taking this combat, clearly,” Dan Hooker informed Submission Radio throughout a current interview. “Like, it’s a harmful combat for him. I respect them for I respect them for accepting this combat. After I really feel like there would have been simpler fights for him on the market. So credit score credit score to him and his workforce.”
“He’s bought some lovely counters, some lovely leads and yeah, I believe his talent is, is usually underestimated by loads of followers, which I really feel like, as is mine,” Dan Hooker defined. “Yeah, it’s it’s extra. Like, I do know full nicely that it’s two fighters that in there which can be both going to win or they’re going to protect on the defend, they’re going to die attempting. There’s two fighters that that step in. They’re ready to die and have accepted that and who’re at peace with that. That’s why the followers are so excited for this combat and That’s why I’m excited for this flight. So it’s it’s both win or I’m going out swinging. That’s that’s the 2 methods at this finish.”
