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BMF Champion Justin Gaethje will defend the gold against former UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway at UFC 300.
There is one person who isn’t thrilled about the upcoming title bout and that person is UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev.
“I don’t want to make people upset, but this is a useless fight for a useless belt,” Makhachev told MMA Junkie. “Nobody gains anything from this fight. I have three guys: (Arman) Tsarukyan, (Charles) Oliveira, and Gaethje, but Tsarukyan and Oliveira – I beat them already. But I have Gaethje – he deserves to fight for the title now. This is a good time for him.
“He showed a good performance in the last two fights. For Holloway, he already has a new champion (at featherweight), and he can fight now with (Ilia) Topuria. But they put (Gaethje and Holloway) against) each other. I don’t know. This fight for me, it’s nothing. For the fans, it’s going to be a good fight. They both like to give damage, like to fight, like to box always. But for me, and for the (lightweight) division, the fight means nothing.”
Gaethje is considered a top contender for Makhachev’s title, as he sits at #2 in the lightweight division rankings.
Makhachev is also concerned for Gaethje, especially if he winds up losing to Holloway at UFC 300.
“Can you imagine if Gaethje loses? If Gaethje loses, he loses everything – his chance,” Makhachev said. “I don’t know when he’s going to fight for the title again. If Holloway loses, who will fight with Topuria? … If they put me vs. Gaethje and Holloway vs. Topuria, it’s good for the UFC, for both divisions. But right now, in my opinion, it’s a useless fight.”
