Justin Gaethje returned to the Octagon late this past winter on the UFC’s third pay-per-view event in Las Vegas. During UFC 313 from T-Mobile Arena, Gaethje battled Rafael Fiziev (12-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in the co-main event of the evening
“The Highlight” lasted 15 minutes, besting Fiziev by way of unanimous decision to run his record to 26-5 in the sport and 9-5 in the UFC. Fiziev’s defeat to Gaethje was his third in succession. Prior to the March 8 contest, Rafael Fiziev had rattled off six victories in a row.
Given that he had outlasted Fiziev less than three months ago and previously won the interim belt at 155 in 2020, one would assume that a shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship would be in the offing for Justin Gaethje.
Jon Anik Opens Up on Justin Gaethje Being Left Out of Title Plans
This proved to not be the case, however. On the night of June 28 from the selfsame T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, UFC 317 will take place to conclude the 2025 version of UFC International Fight Week.
At the top of the bill on that second Saturday night of summer, the newly-vacant UFC Lightweight Championship will be at stake in the main event. Now-former UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) will move up from the 145-lb division and put his undefeated record at risk against “Do Bronx”, Charles Oliveira (35-10, 1 NC MMA, 23-10, 1 NC UFC.)
UFC blow-by-blow commentator Jon Anik mentioned that Justin Gaethje wasn’t too pleased with the promotion’s plans for the first PPV of the summer months on the Monday episode of his podcast with Kenny Florian.
“He was pissed,” Jon Anik began. “He feels like he was certainly passed over for this opportunity against Ilia Topuria and I think what Justin Gaethje and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, are looking for is just some sort of guarantee that they will be next.”
Anik Understands Where Justin Gaethje is Coming From
In his comments, Jon Anik also remarked that Justin Gaethje’s demands for a shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship are reasonable.
“I don’t think it’s a crazy request for Justin [to ask for a lightweight title shot],” he said. “Having done what he did against Rafael Fiziev, staying on the fight card, not fighting Dan Hooker, getting a win, distance from the UFC 300 result, right? By the way, he fought at UFC 300 to help the UFC, when he could have fought for the undisputed championship at that time. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gaethje gets some kind of guarantee that he’s next for the Topuria [versus] Oliveira winner, but I can tell you that he was not thrilled.”
Justin Gaethje’s time for a shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship will undoubtedly come, but it is a little bit shocking that he hasn’t gotten the call to fight for the crown at 155 already. His resume speaks volumes as to why Gaethje should be among the shortlist for the new champion’s initial defense of the belt.
Winner of Topuria vs. Oliveira Tilt Should Prepare for Justin Gaethje
With the win at UFC 313 this past winter, Justin Gaethje picked up another $50,000 (USD) post-fight bonus for the Fight of the Night Award. Throughout his tenure in the UFC, he’s scored a post-fight bonus no fewer than 14 times.
Statistically speaking, Gaethje has completed his successfully completed his assignment before the final horn more often than not. Of his 26 career wins, only five have had to be confirmed by way of the judges’ scorecards after the advertised maximum number of rounds.
When Justin Gaethje touches down in the host city of a UFC event for fight week, you can bet that you’ll be treated to a cracking affair on Saturday night. He’s a fan favorite and has been such for a long time.
Final Thoughts
Although Justin Gaethje is going to miss out on a chance to claim the lightweight championship on a permanent basis right before Independence Day, he’s firmly in the mix for the next UFC Lightweight Championship fight after UFC 317. The championship at 155 will be on the line on June 28.
In the days afterward, Topuria or Oliveira will need to hunker down and start thinking about their opponent for the defense of the title. It could very well be Justin Gaethje for the winner at the end of this year or early next year.
