Justin Gaethje is able to stroll away from MMA.
In March, Gaethje obtained again within the winner’s circle with a unanimous determination victory over Rafael Fiziev within the co-main occasion of UFC 313. Initially, Gaethje was alleged to battle Dan Hooker in a bout with severe title implications, however a Hooker damage led to Gaethje accepting the short-notice substitute. Sadly, “The Spotlight” wasn’t rewarded for taking part in the great firm soldier. When light-weight champion Islam Makhachev vacated his title just a few months later, Gaethje was handed over for the vacant title battle. As an alternative, Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria will sq. off for the belt at UFC 317, and that has left Gaethje feeling onerous performed by, not less than so says his supervisor Ali Abdelaziz.
“Justin Gaethje fights the winner,” Abdelaziz advised Submission Radio. “He’s received three of his final 4, he saved the UFC two instances. They wanted him, and he’s there. The man did a lot for the game. If anybody stated he doesn’t deserve it—he stated, ‘If I’m not going to battle for the title, I’m simply going to hold up my gloves.’”
Extensively thought to be one of the crucial thrilling fighters of all time, Gaethje has been one of the crucial dependable motion fighters within the UFC since becoming a member of the corporate in 2017. In 14 UFC fights, he’s received 14 post-fight bonuses and been a part of an outrageous 4 Combat of the Yr winners, together with his 2024 loss to Max Holloway for the “BMF” title at UFC 300. Regardless of all he’s performed, that loss has Gaethje on the skin trying in at UFC 317.
“He’s a really principled man,” Abdelaziz stated. “I by no means—he feels strongly about this. He advised me this yesterday. I used to be on the battle, he stated, ‘I’m not going to get a title shot. I really feel disrespected. I like being a UFC fighter, I like the UFC, however I really feel the UFC has to like me again.’ And he doesn’t really feel the love proper now.
“However hear, on the finish of the day, I believe, this man, they love him. I believe they’ll give him what he wished. However on the finish of the day, now we have to see what occurs first between Charles and Ilia.”
UFC 317 takes place June 28 at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.
