“Just Shut Up and Admit” – Khabib Nurmagomedov Blasts Justin Gaethje For Demanding a Title Shot

Justin Gaethje, the number 2 ranked UFC lightweight, is coming off a win in a spectacular fight. Gaethje went up against Michael Chandler at UFC 268. It was a war between the two, as both men gave their everything in the fight. They went blow-for-blow and ultimately ‘The Highlight’ got his hand raised. He won the fight via a unanimous decision.

For many, he was already the number 1 contender for the lightweight title. He lost his fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov, which was a title unification bout. Having not entered the octagon for over a year, a fight like that with Chandler should cement his spot as the contender for the title.

In a recent interview with Brett Okamoto, Gaethje opined that he should get the title shot. He said, “The travesty to the integrity of the sport would be too great if I didn’t get it (title shot) now.”

However, the former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov blasted Gaethje for thinking so. ‘The Eagle‘ is the teammate of number 4 ranked lightweight, Islam Makhachev, who is coming off an impressive win of his own against Dan Hooker.

Nurmagomedov said, “In last 8 fight, you got finished 3 times Justin. You had an opportunity to become champion, but you fell asleep.”

“Islam is on the 9 win streak, 3 fight in 2021 and all finishes. Just shut up and admit that Islam deserves this title shot, not you.”

Many people in the MMA community are batting for a title shot for Makhachev. Nurmagomedov believes that his recent form makes him the rightful title contender.

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Justin Gaethje or Islam Makhachev – Who deserves the title shot?

Justin Gaethje is the former interim UFC lightweight champion. He fought the reigning, defending champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, lost, and took a year off.

Having lost to a dominant and undefeated fight in Nurmagomedov, who retired after the fight against ‘The Highlight‘,’ many believed Gaethje would fight for the vacant belt. That didn’t happen as Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler ended up fighting for it.

After an impressive win against Chandler at UFC 268, most of the people are rallying for him to get a title shot.

However, Islam Makhachev‘s name also keeps coming up for a title shot. The Dagestan native is on an impressive nine-fight win streak and finished Dan Hooker in the first round at UFC 267. He is the only lightweight, except for the champion Oliveira, who is on such a long win streak. Given his record, he has a case to challenge for the title and has Nurmagomedov’s backing on it.

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The UFC has a decision to make. As Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier fight for the title at UFC 269, the promotion will have to come up with a contender soon after that.

Do you think Gaethje should fight for the title next? Let us know in the comments!