Justin Gaethje awaiting the 'right fight' as UFC lightweight division sorts out, manager says
As the upper echelon of the UFC lightweight picture sorts itself out, Justin Gaethje is awaiting the right fight.
According to his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, negotiations between Gaethje (22-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) and the promotion haven’t hit a wall. It’s all about the timing, which for now, means waiting for the best potential opportunity to present itself.
“I don’t think it’s business (issues) right now,” Abdelaziz said. “I think I just have to get the right fight. I see a lot of people calling him out. You can’t just be away from the lightweight division for six years and come back and try to fight the No. 2 guy. You have to earn it.”
Abdelaziz backs Gaethje as the best active lightweight in the world at the moment. With that declaration, however, Abdelaziz understands why the UFC decided to forgo a discussed Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler matchup in order to pin the latter against Charles Oliveira for vacant 155-pound title gold May 15 at UFC 262.
“Listen, Justin was supposed to fight Michael Chandler,” Abdelaziz said. “That was the talk. We found out Chandler (was) fighting Oliveira, and I get it. The UFC wants a champion who never lost to Khabib (Nurmagomedov). If a guy who lost to Khabib becomes the champion … you need more time to make people forget about Khabib, right? They made the move, and I get it.”
Chandler wasn’t the only opponent name discussed as Gaethje’s next opponent. Conor McGregor’s name also came up, but the matchup didn’t materialize. Regardless of who Gaethje faces next, Abdelaziz likes his chances.
“It was never 100 percent he was fighting Mike Chandler, but it was mentioned,” Abdelaziz said. “It was mentioned (Conor) McGregor, too. I know Conor would never fight Justin because I think Justin stylistically is the worst matchup. I truly believe Justin Gaethje will be the UFC champion.”
Gaethje, 32, most recently competed in a title challenge against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 252 in September. He was submitted in Round 2. Prior to the loss, Gaethje won four straight fights against James Vick, Edson Barboza, Donald Cerrone and Tony Ferguson en route to his title shot. All five of Gaethje’s promotional victories have been finishes.
To see the full interview with Abdelaziz, check out the video below.