Third-ranked UFC light-weight contender Justin Gaethje (26-5) could have fought for the ultimate time.
Former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria (16-0) and former light-weight titleholder Charles Oliveira (35-10, 1 NC) will combat for the vacant 155-pound title at UFC 317 on June 28 through the UFC’s annual Worldwide Battle Week. Islam Makhachev (27-1) vacated the title to maneuver as much as the welterweight division in an effort to develop into a two-division titleholder.
In keeping with his supervisor, Ali Abdelaziz, Gaethje will ‘grasp up the gloves’ if he is not booked to face the UFC 317 winner.
“Justin Gaethje combat the (UFC 317) winner. He is received three of his final 4. He saved the UFC two occasions. They wanted him and he was there,” Abdelaziz advised Submission Radio. “The man has completed a lot for the game and if anybody says he would not deserve it – He mentioned, ‘If I am not going to combat for the title then I will simply grasp up my gloves.’
“He is a really principled man,” Abdelaziz continued. “He actually advised me this yesterday. I used to be with him on the combat. He mentioned, ‘If I am not going to get a title shot, I really feel disrespected. I really like being a UFC fighter. I really like the UFC, however I really feel just like the UFC has to like me again.’ He would not really feel the love proper now.”
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Abdelaziz believes the combat promotion will give Gaethje what he desires and it’ll all work out.
“On the finish of the day, I feel this man, they love him. I feel they are going to give him what he wished,” he mentioned. “However on the finish of the day we’ve got to see what occurs first between Charles and Ilia.”
Gaethje final fought in March, defeating Rafael Fiziev by unanimous resolution in a rematch at UFC 313. At 36, the clock is ticking on Gaethje’s probabilities of turning into an undisputed UFC champion.
