UFC analyst gives Justin Gaethje vs. Islam Makhachev green light

Michael Bisping sees a world the place Justin Gaethje is subsequent in line for UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev.

Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) returned to the win column after defeating Rafael Fiziev a second time at UFC 313 final month. Makhachev already holds wins over No. 1-ranked Arman Tsarukyan and No. 2-ranked Charles Oliveria, and is in search of a contemporary matchup for his subsequent title protection.

Though newly minted light-weight and former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria would offer that, Makhachev’s staff needs to see him earn the chance. That’s the place Bisping thinks Gaethje might slide in.

“Charles Oliveira, he’s No. 2, after which we’ve bought Justin Gaethje at No. 3,” Bisping mentioned on his YouTube channel. “Now, Justin Gaethje hasn’t fought Islam Makhachev, so that might be a contemporary title. Justin Gaethje isn’t getting any youthful both. I feel we’d all log off on Justin Gaethje vs. Islam Makhachev. Justin will get to go in there, proper the wrongs from the Khabib Nurmagomedov battle and end his profession because the UFC light-weight champion of the world.

“I feel any individual like Justin Gaethje, who has placed on these legendary fights, these epic battles and simply entertained the crowds – similar to he did final day out in opposition to Rafael Fiziev, what a battle that was. I feel the person deserves it, and I feel it’d simply occur as a result of what’s taking place is, Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira are speaking quite a lot of sh*t back-and-forth, and that simply is perhaps the battle that will get made.”

Whereas Bisping has no challenge with Topuria getting a direct shot at Makhachev, he thinks him buying and selling barbs with Oliveira might result in them combating.

“So there’s Topuria being dismissive, there’s Oliveira speaking sh*t,” Bisping mentioned. “Topuria must show himself apparently, in keeping with the champ. Oliveira wants that final remaining battle to recover from the hump to problem for the belt and, within the meantime, you’ve bought Justin Gaethje, a fan favourite, an organization man that’s at all times placing on nice fights.

“All Justin Gaethje’s bought to do is keep good and quiet. Let these two preserve chatting it up, speaking a little bit of sh*t, and Justin Gaethje would possibly simply emerge out of this because the winner, because the man that will get to go up in opposition to Islam Makhachev. Then Topuria vs. Oliveira, they could battle for the No. 1 contender spot.”