UFC analyst gives Justin Gaethje vs. Islam Makhachev green light

Michael Bisping sees a world where Justin Gaethje is next in line for UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) returned to the win column after defeating Rafael Fiziev a second time at UFC 313 last month. Makhachev already holds wins over No. 1-ranked Arman Tsarukyan and No. 2-ranked Charles Oliveria, and is seeking a fresh matchup for his next title defense.

Although newly minted lightweight and former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria would provide that, Makhachev’s team wants to see him earn the opportunity. That’s where Bisping thinks Gaethje could slide in.

“Charles Oliveira, he’s No. 2, and then we’ve got Justin Gaethje at No. 3,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “Now, Justin Gaethje hasn’t fought Islam Makhachev, so that would be a fresh title. Justin Gaethje isn’t getting any younger either. I think we would all sign off on Justin Gaethje vs. Islam Makhachev. Justin gets to go in there, right the wrongs from the Khabib Nurmagomedov fight and finish his career as the UFC lightweight champion of the world.

“I think somebody like Justin Gaethje, who has put on these legendary fights, these epic battles and just entertained the crowds – just like he did last time out against Rafael Fiziev, what a fight that was. I think the man deserves it, and I think it might just happen because what’s happening is, Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira are talking a lot of sh*t back-and-forth, and that just might be the fight that gets made.”

While Bisping has no issue with Topuria getting an immediate shot at Makhachev, he thinks him trading barbs with Oliveira could lead to them fighting.

“So there’s Topuria being dismissive, there’s Oliveira talking sh*t,” Bisping said. “Topuria needs to prove himself apparently, according to the champ. Oliveira needs that last final fight to get over the hump to challenge for the belt and, in the meantime, you’ve got Justin Gaethje, a fan favorite, a company man that’s always putting on great fights.

“All Justin Gaethje’s got to do is stay nice and quiet. Let these two keep chatting it up, talking a bit of sh*t, and Justin Gaethje might just emerge out of this as the winner, as the guy that gets to go up against Islam Makhachev. Then Topuria vs. Oliveira, they might fight for the No. 1 contender spot.”