Khabib Nurmagomedov has expressed confusion over the UFC’s decision to book a fight between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway, instead of Gaethje fighting lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, as he believes this would have made more sense.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s baffled, folks. He’s scratching his head over the UFC’s recent moves.
Come April, UFC 300 is set to rock Las Vegas, Nev. The night’s highlight? A “BMF” title fight. The contenders? Lightweight Justin Gaethje and ex-featherweight champ Max Holloway. Fans are buzzing, predicting it could be the Fight of the Year. But there’s a snag.
Gaethje was supposed to challenge lightweight champ Islam Makhachev. That’s the word on the street anyway.
Makhachev’s got a title defense lined up for June. The venue? UFC’s maiden event in Saudi Arabia. But with Gaethje squaring off against Holloway, and ex-lightweight champ Charles Oliveira set to fight Arman Tsarukyan the same night, Makhachev’s options are thinning. That’s according to his buddy and teammate.
“All respect to Max Holloway, but I’m stumped,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie. “Gaethje vs. Holloway? Doesn’t make sense to me. Holloway should be fighting [Ilia] Topuria in September. Gaethje should be up against Islam in May or June. Tsarukyan and Oliveira are fighting in April. The winner should face off against the victor of Islam vs. Gaethje, in Abu Dhabi, end of the year. That’s logical, right?”
Nurmagomedov’s not alone in this. Some fans are also puzzled about what these bookings mean for Makhachev. Topuria’s featherweight title win adds another layer of complexity. Holloway would’ve been a logical opponent for the new champ. Now, it’s all up in the air.
“But whatever happens, I have faith in Islam,” Khabib reassures.
“Now, who’s Topuria going to fight if Holloway loses?” Nurmagomedov wonders aloud. “Movsar [Evloev] seems like the best bet. But will Dana White give him a shot at the title? He deserves it, in my opinion. I can’t wrap my head around why they didn’t pair Islam with Gaethje. Why pit him against Holloway?”
“I can’t figure out what the UFC’s game plan is,” he admits. “But Islam’s ready to take on anyone.”