Justin Gaethjes refusal to fight anyone besides Ilia Topuria could pay off.
The former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion and BMF titleholder is still a top player at 155 lbs nearly a decade after he debuted in the top 5.
Ranked #3 in the lightweight division and winner of three out of his last four fights, Gaethje was upset he didnt get the title fight against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317, with the title shot going to Charles Oliveira instead.
Gaethje has said the UFC owes him a title fight and threatened to retire if hes not given the champion Topuria. UFC CEO Dana White called Gaethjes title fight ultimatum whacky, telling him to retire afterward.
When it comes to Topurias first title defense, Justin Gaethje is hardly the UFCs only option as Arman Tsarukyan and Paddy Pimblett are also in the title mix. Pimblett faced off with Topuria post-fight and Tsarukyan righted his wrong by weighing in as the back-up fighter for the UFC 317 headliner.
However, one of Gaethjes fellow lightweights stands behind The Highlight getting the next title fight.
Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC While Liverpools Pimblett is a massive star in the UK and has a storyline with Topuria, #7 UFC Lightweight Dan Hooker says it might make more financial sense for Gaethje to fight the champion next.
Gaethje is arguably the UFCs most exciting fighter and the knockout artist is one KO away from $1M in performance bonuses. Gaethjes heavy leg kicks have been touted as a potential problem for a boxer like Topuria.
I think theyll do Gaethje, Hooker said of Topurias next fight on Submission Radio.
I think they wanna do Gaethje [vs] Paddy, but apparently, Gaethjes not gonna take the Paddy fight, Hooker said of the UFCs matchmaking.
It just leaves, like, Paddy or Gaethje.
The only pay-per-view sales that really count are in the North American market. And so its like, even though Paddys, like, this big star on Instagram and s, I dont know if he actually really moves the needle in North America, Hooker said of Pimblett.
For sure, Justin Gaethje moves the needle in North America.
So, I think that he probably makes the UFC the most money by being champion, Hooker said of Gaethje.
Gaethje and Hooker were initially scheduled for a five-round war earlier this year at UFC 313.
The potential title eliminator was ultimately cancelled due to reasons out of Gaethjes control, as Hooker withdrew from the fight with a broken hand.
Gaethje stayed on the card and fought short-notice replacement Rafael Fiziev, beating the top contender by decision for a second time in March.
Gaethje has been waiting on the UFC to give him a title opportunity ever since.
Im the most consistent guy, Gaethje said of why he should get the next title fight on The Makeshift Podcast.
I think anybody thats ever performed for their company and been as consistent as an employee for their company gets a Christmas bonus, gets a thank you, gets a good f job, like, nah, Im done doing s here&
I love fighting for the UFC, I never want to fight somewhere else, but Im not gonna just throw my legacy away for anybody.
Im waiting for them to announce it, Gaethje said of potentially getting his third undisputed title shot.
[Oliveira] is 2-2, Im 3-1. I mean, what do you want me to do? Not my fault [Dan] Hooker dropped out&
Arman Tsarukyan Dan Hooker Ilia Topuria Justin Gaethje UFC UFC 317
