Justin Gaethje has broken his silence after losing the BMF belt to Max Holloway in devastating fashion at UFC 300.
Justin Gaethje Speaks Out After Losing BMF Belt To Max Holloway
“The Highlight” came up short against Holloway, with the Hawaiian native producing arguably the most notorious last-second knockout on a UFC card for the ages.
Gaethje reflected on the fight during an interview with MMA Knockout. The former UFC interim lightweight champion said: “I think a lot of people in my position would have set out not taking (the Holloway fight). I have no regrets. I think it was – I had so much fun I think it was such a huge historic card for the UFC. And to be part of that, to be the best fight on that card is gonna live on forever.
“And again, it was a huge risk, I failed, and if I would have won that fight, if I’d got a quick knockout, I would have been taking that fight (against Islam Makhachev), but it’s just the name of the game.”
Gaethje Reacts To Dustin Poirier V Islam Makhachev
After originally clinching the BMF belt by a deadly head kick against Dustin Poirier in July 2023, it is actually “The Diamond” who will receive the next shot at lightweight gold.
As revealed by Dana White in the UFC 300 post press conference, Poirier V Makhachev will headline UFC 302. Fans believed either Arman Tsarukyan or Gaethje, if he was victorious, were next in line for the lightweight strap. But it seems a plan had already been prepared before last weekend’s landmark event.
Although many will debate whether a win over Benoit Saint Denis warrants a title shot, Gaethje is pleased about the announcement.
He said: “I’m happy for Dustin. Good for him. Somebody had to fight. I think no matter what we’re gonna lose. He (Makhachev) was going to be early, it was gonna be pretty much impossible (to make that fight in a 5-6 weeks’ turnaround).”
What Is Next For “The Highlight”?
Combining Tsarukyan’s decision win over Charles Oliveira and Holloway’s buzzer-beater knockout, Gaethje has dropped to number three in the lightweight rankings.
However, the Arizona-born fighter has guaranteed fans that ‘he is not done’.
He said: “Even if I wanted to change how I fight, it’s really not possible. That’s how I compete. It’s how I’ve competed since I was a kid. So, the next time I step in there, you know, the best live show on Earth. We’ll see if I have as good a dance partner as I had this last weekend. But yeah, my intentions will be the same.”
Now, it’s time for a quick breather. When Gaethje comes back, the same is to be expected. An action-filled, highly competitive fight that will hopefully take him one step closer to lightweight gold.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
