Before his interim lightweight title fight, Justin Gaethje explained how he might end up missing a matchup with Ilia Topuria without ever meaning to.
Topuria, the reigning lightweight champion, recently stepped away from MMA for some months to handle some personal issues.
To keep things moving in the division, the UFC decided to put an interim title on the line.
Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett have been given the chance to compete for that belt at UFC 324.
The expectation is that whoever comes out on top will face Topuria when he is ready to return. But Gaethje has suggested there is a chance things do not play out that way for reasons beyond anyone’s control.
Justin Gaethje outlines potential future that he has been thinking about
Topuria has consistently stated his interest in following Islam Makhachev up to welterweight for what would be a historic super fight.
In that context, Gaethje believes a win against Pimblett on January 24 could promote him to undisputed champion, possibly leading to a double title fight against Oliveira or Holloway.
The UFC recently announced that Holloway will defend his BMF belt against Oliveira at UFC 326, and both men already hold wins over Gaethje. But should ‘The Highlight’ become the unified champion, it could set up a chance for him to avenge one of those defeats.
He said to Submission Radio: “I guess I don’t really have an opinion (on Topuria’s welterweight plan), I mean, if he went up, I would just be the champion which I’m not gonna complain about.
“I think what that leaves open is the chance for me to get a rematch against Max Holloway or Charles Oliveira, get my belt and get the BMF belt and ultimately, that was the script I’ve been speaking into existence since the (Rafael) Fiziev fight.
“I thought I was gonna fight Ilia in January and then I was gonna fight Max or whoever had the BMF title on the White House card and then have both of those belts.”
Justin Gaethje turns down Arman Tsarukyan’s offer to help with UFC 324 training
Before he squares off against the Brit, Gaethje received an unexpected offer from fellow lightweight Arman Tsarukyan.
Tsarukyan, who missed out on a title shot in controversial circumstances, reached out to lend a hand during Gaethje’s camp, largely due to his dislike for Pimblett.
Gaethje turned down the offer though, citing the possibility that he and Tsarukyan could end up fighting each other down the line.
- READ MORE: Michael Bisping reveals why his son’s MMA debut left him just as stunned as everyone else
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
