Justin Gaethje‘s loss at UFC 300, where he was knocked out by Max Holloway, potentially cost him a shot at the lightweight title, but UFC analyst Alan Jouban believes Gaethje could still get back in title contention with a big win in his next fight.
Justin Gaethje, he had a ton to risk at UFC 300. And, well, he arguably lost it all.
Sure, he pocketed a cool $300,000 for Fight of the Night. But it cost him. Big time.
A potential lightweight title shot? Gone. Ended up face-down on the canvas. One of the most stunning knockouts in UFC history, courtesy of Max Holloway.
Holloway, already leading on the scorecards, called Gaethje to the cage center. Wanted to throw down before the final horn. And boy, did he throw down. A brutal right hand sent Gaethje crashing. One second left on the clock.
Worst-case scenario? You bet. Gaethje had been promised a title shot after a head-kick knockout over Dustin Poirier last year.
UFC analyst Alan Jouban put it this way on The Fighter vs. The Writer: “Justin Gaethje had the most at stake to lose on Saturday night, and he put it all on the line.”
Gaethje had said, “I’m making one more run at the title.” But that dream? Shattered on Saturday night. If he hadn’t been knocked out in that last second, he might have lost by decision. Maybe a 49-46 scorecard. Could have retired. There were whispers of him retiring without a win. A loss would take him out of title contention.
With Gaethje out, UFC turned to Arman Tsarukyan. He’d beaten former champ Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. Tsarukyan? He turned down the opportunity. Needed time to recover, to prepare for a June 1 challenge against reigning champ Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.
So, who’s up? Dustin Poirier. He’s fighting Makhachev for the lightweight title after his knockout win over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299.
On paper, Poirier shouldn’t be getting a shot at gold. He lost to Gaethje less than a year ago. His only win since? Against a somewhat unproven prospect in Saint Denis. But Poirier is a big name in MMA. A respected veteran. A lifetime résumé that’s hard to beat.
Timing and opportunity. That’s what got Poirier his title shot at UFC 302. Jouban thinks something similar could happen to Gaethje.
“Dustin Poirier got knocked out by Justin Gaethje just about a year ago and won one big, dramatic fight, and now he is pushed back in the title shot,” Jouban said. “It’s not over. It’s not over for Justin Gaethje.”
A huge setback, sure. But if Gaethje comes back and fights Charles Oliveira in a rematch? Or fights the winner or loser of Michael Chandler vs. Conor McGregor? A big finish and a good victory could put him back in title contention.
Jouban thinks Gaethje, even at 35, still has time. He can put on entertaining fights. He’s always in the conversation for UFC to promote a big card. Gaethje is never too far from a shot at gold.
“I don’t think it’s all done for him,” Jouban said. “I think he has some time to maybe try and get one more big win and get one more shot at the title.”
And Holloway? He’s sitting pretty. One of the greatest featherweights of all-time. He wants a showdown against current champ Ilia Topuria.
Jouban thinks Holloway can call his shot after UFC 300. “I think Ilia Topuria is the fight that we have to make now,” Jouban said. “Now [Holloway] goes back to his rightful division and it doesn’t cloud the lightweight division.”
Holloway vs. Gaethje was a great fight. But it messed up two divisions. Now, Ilia Topuria is saying, “This is the fight I want now after seeing what Max Holloway did.” Holloway’s star is brighter. The fight is bigger. It makes sense.
“I think Ilia Topuria would be my No. 1 pick [for Holloway next], and then possibly the winner Chandler and Conor McGregor would be my No. 2 pick,” Jouban said.
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