Former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje returned to action at UFC 313 last weekend. It was his first fight since last April when he suffered a devastating loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300. And he set the narrative right in Las Vegas on Saturday, with a classy victory over Rafael Fiziev in a tightly contested rematch.
Even though it might not be Gaethje’s finest hour in the octagon, the performance left Chael Sonnen thoroughly impressed. Resorting to hyperbole as he often does, the UFC veteran claimed that fans had already witnessed the ‘Performance of the Year’ from Gaethje.
After six months of worrying questions about his future, ‘The Highlight’ proved he was among a select few elite athletes the promotion still housed. Sonnen finds it especially fascinating that the former UFC lightweight champion continues to be the same fighter he was five years ago. The 36-year-old maybe inching towards the end of a glorious career but seems to have what it takes to stay relevant.
“We don’t get better as fighters by doing it. It’s not like soccer or baseball or basketball. We leave a little bit of ourselves out there. But you just don’t get better with time,” Sonnen said on Good Guy/Bad Guy.
“Justin Gaethje is as tough now as he was five years ago. He’s as tough now as he was eight, nine, and 10 years ago,” he added.
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The veteran analyst reiterated that he was truly impressed by Gaethje’s fearless style of striking and dominant pressing of his opponent, especially in the third round.
Meanwhile, off the back of his “elite” performance, Gaethje has staked his claim for a specific fight in his next Octagon outing.
Gaethje eyes Islam Makhachev title fight
Previously only ever holding interim spoils, fan-favorite Gaethje hopes his UFC 313 win has earned him a shot at undisputed gold. Laying out plans to take on the current kingpin Islam Makhachev, Gaethje made a rather stark admission.
In his opinion, in order to topple the Russian, he will have to have a “perfect” performance if they ever fight.
“I want to fight for the belt obviously, it’s a much different matchup than I just had,” Gaethje said after UFC 313.
“They tried to give me a donut, I took a bit but I gotta get back to running if I’m going to fight Makhachev,” he joked but with the realization that the task was cut out for him.
“I have to get my Jiu-Jitsu coach out here, really it’s just confidence. He’s a tough matchup for anyone. He’s so good, so strong. Going to have to have a perfect night if I want to beat him,” added Gaethje.
He knows exactly what pairing to avoid next if he doesn’t get a title shot against Makhachev. In reply to calls for a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier (both have scored a win over each other), Gaethje said a firm no.
“I’ve stated many times that I don’t think either one of our families deserves that.” Gaethje joked, reminiscing about the wars he has had with the Louisiana native.
This deep into his storied career, do you think Gaethje has what it takes to dethrone the dominant Makhachev?
