With the lightweight title picture shaken up following UFC 291, Chael Sonnen believes that Justin Gaethje could end up being on the other side of the cage from champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 294.
UFC 291 delivered the likely knockout of the year in the main event when Justin Gaethje put Dustin Poirier out cold with a right roundhouse kick. The knockout came just a minute into the 2nd round and shocked viewers around the world. The win gives Gaethje the BMF belt and a shot at the fight he wanted against Islam Makhachev.
While the winner of Gaethje/Poirier undoubtedly deserved a shot at the title, it was unlikely that either man would be prepared for another fight less than 3 months later. Their first bout left both men battered and bruised, leaving many to believe a similar result would occur in their rematch. This caused the UFC to look past this bout and book the rematch between Charles Oliveira and Makhachev at UFC 294.
Gaethje prepares to watch the bout from the sides but said he could stay prepared under one condition.
“I’d want to go watch it, yeah. I don’t think I’d want to be a backup. Unless they pay me a s— ton of money, then maybe. Maybe.”
Chael Sonnen Believes Justin Gaethje Could Make Quick Return
Despite Gaethje saying this, former middleweight title challenger Chael Sonnen had other ideas. During the ESPN post-fight show, Sonnen revealed why he believes that Justin Gaethje should be a backup at the minimum.
“I’m not positive that Charles Oliveira wants to do that fight,” Sonnen said during the ESPN post-fight show. “I don’t want to be a spoiler but I read his Twitter account, he’s saying he wants to fight Conor McGregor next. And the only reason I bring that to you: we at minimum have a backup. We thought that Justin Gaethje or [Dustin] Poirier, whoever came out would be the No. 1 contender. We also thought they’d be hurt. We thought this was going to be a bludgeon. We thought they were gonna be swapping stories in the hospital.
As expected in this sport, things didn’t go as planned and Gaethje was able to finish Poirier early in round 2. Sonnen believes that the quick result changes things and grants Gaethje a chance at a potential quick turnaround.
“This was a surprise finish, he’s surprisingly fresh, I’m talking about Gaethje. I think he’s ready to go in.”
Quotes via MMAMania
Whether Gaethje steps in to fight Makhachev at UFC 294 or not, it seems like a fight that inevitably will happen, especially with the history between Gaethje and Khabib Nurmagomedov. If Islam Makhachev can hold off Oliviera once more, we can very well see this fight next.
What did you think of Justin Gaethje’s highlight-reel knockout? Do you agree with Chael Sonnen that he might end up fighting Islam Makhachev at UFC 294? Let us know in the comments below.
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