Justin Gaethje isn’t done chasing UFC gold—far from it. The 36-year-old fighter has already had his shot at the lightweight title, but one loss isn’t enough to shake his championship ambitions. Even after a tough knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 313, Gaethje remains laser-focused on climbing back up the ranks. His ultimate target? A title showdown with reigning champion Islam Makhachev.
Despite securing a hard-fought decision victory over Rafael Fiziev, Gaethje isn’t entirely convinced that it’s enough to put him in immediate title contention. But that’s not stopping him from pushing forward. “I want to fight for the belt, obviously,” he declared at the UFC 313 post-fight press conference. “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 Makhachev.”
Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) knows the road ahead isn’t easy, but he’s not backing down. With an impressive record of 3-1 in his last four fights, including victories over Fiziev and a highlight-reel KO win over Dustin Poirier that earned him the coveted UFC BMF title, he’s still a force to be reckoned with. His lone recent defeat came at the hands of Holloway, a fight that ended in spectacular fashion and was later named MMA Junkie’s Knockout of the Year for 2024.
One thing is for sure: a trilogy fight with Poirier is off the table. When asked about a potential third clash, Gaethje shut down the idea quickly. “No, I’ve stated many times that I don’t think either one of our families deserve that,” he said. “We’re 1-1. I’m OK with it. If he’s OK with it, then no. I think we’re contenders, but only if we beat other people. If I beat him, I don’t think either one of us would be considered a contender.”
Gaethje’s mindset is clear—he’s not interested in pointless rivalries. He’s here to win, improve, and eventually get another crack at the championship. His recent performances prove he still has what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the best in the division. His knockout over Poirier was proof of that, showcasing his power, precision, and sheer tenacity.
What comes next is still uncertain, but Gaethje isn’t one to sit around waiting. He’s hungry, he’s motivated, and most importantly, he’s ready to prove that he belongs at the top. Whether his latest victory is enough to set up a fight with Makhachev remains to be seen, but if there’s one thing fans can count on, it’s that Gaethje will bring the fight—no matter who stands across from him in the Octagon.
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