Justin Gaethje was the prime title contender before UFC 300, but it all changed due to his loss. Max Holloway viciously knocked out the lightweight slugger in their BMF title fight. The loss cost him his almost guaranteed next lightweight title shot. However, UFC legend Daniel Cormier does not think so and expects ‘The Highlight’ to reclaim his spot as title challenger.
Cormier argued that Gaethje only needed one win to challenge for the title again. He cited the recent example of Dustin Poirier as proof. Poirier was coming off a KO loss to Gaethje when he rebounded beautifully by knocking out Benoit Saint-Denis. With one impressive win, he surprisingly landed the next title fight.
I spoke to Dustin Poirier before he fought in Miami… He said ‘I am always one great win from fighting for a belt’… I believe that Justin Gaethje is in the same situation… I believe that Justin Gaethje is one win away from ultimately standing across the octagon from the champion.
Daniel Cormier via The Good Guy / Bad Guy
Daniel Cormier saw no reason why the same could not happen for Justin Gaethje as well. Despite the devastating Holloway KO, ‘DC’ believed Gaethje was still an elite lightweight contender. Gaethje is a fan favorite who’s fought the who’s who at 155lbs. He is known for his powerful strikes and exciting fights.
Daniel Cormier believes that Justin Gaethje is one win away from a title shot:
“[Dustin Poirier] said ‘I am always one great win from fighting for a belt’… I believe that Justin Gaethje is in the same situation.
Justin Gaethje is one win away from ultimately standing across… pic.twitter.com/5Iv6wJcNRL
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 30, 2024
Islam Makhachev is set to fight Poirier next, and Arman Tsarukyan is arguably the next in line. This timeline will leave 2024 with Poirier and Tsarukyan as the title challengers for Makhachev. It gives Gaethje enough time to return and win another bout. He may have to produce a highlight reel performance to get the title shot against the champion at 155lbs.
Justin Gaethje focused on recovery before returning to action
Gaethje was recently knocked out by Max Holloway in their BMF title fight. The fight-ending right hand came in the final second of the bout. Gaethje is giving himself plenty of time to recover properly. The lightweight contender won’t rush back soon in the octagon.
Justin Gaethje won’t be rushing back to the Octagon (via MMA Fighting)Medical experts advise fighters to take much time away after a brutal knockout. As such, the 35-year-old planned to avoid any contact training for at least six months. However, he hasn’t ruled out training entirely for that period of time.
Obviously the physical contact is going to be limited for quite some time, just because I want to preserve myself. … I think six months, at least, before I get back to taking shots. But that doesn’t say that I wont be training the whole time.
Justin Gaethje via MMA Hangout
It’s the smart long-term play after absorbing 181 significant strikes from Holloway. 62 of those shots landed flush to Gaethje’s head. For now, though, Gaethje is firmly focused on properly recovering first. He knows the lightweight killers won’t go easy if he returns diminished physically or mentally.
