The lightweight division's top is in full swing.
UFC 262 features no. 4 ranked Michael Chandler taking on no. 3 ranked Charles Oliveira for the vacated lightweight title, while UFC 264 features no. 1 challenger Dustin Poirier taking on no. 6 ranked Conor McGregor.
With Tony Ferguson, the No. 5 rated lightweight, co-main eventing UFC 262 versus No. 9 ranked Beneil Dariush, there is one odd man out in the top five in the division who is yet to compete.
Gaethje hasn't played since losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov by technical submission via triangle choke at UFC 254 in what turned out to be Nurmagomedov's last battle until announcing his retirement.
Despite coming off a setback, “The Highlight” was beaten by Nurmagomedov, probably the best lightweight of all time, who retired as the world's top pound-for-pound boxer. Gaethje, on the other hand, was on a four-fight winning streak prior to his most recent defeat.
And the majority of the division's top five set to compete in the immediate future, no one knows what Gaethje's next step will be.
Ali Abdelaziz, his manager, doesn't either.
“Listen, I'm not sure. This is something Sean Shelby and I need to chat about, and we'll have to work it out,” Abdelaziz said. “It's a problem I'm not fond of because he's the odd one out. There isn't even anybody out there for him to challenge.
“Perhaps he will put up a good battle. Isn't he a good time? But when we asked for Max Holloway, I was cursed. But in the Max Holloway-Gaethje match, I got cussed out, and I understand.”
With Holloway presumably scheduled to meet the winner of the UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski vs. No. 2 challenger Brian Ortega contest, it does not make any sense.
Abdelaziz had another lightweight challenger in mind for Gaethje, but he admitted the matchup didn't make any sense, despite admitting it would be a good brawl.
“One war excites me as a Justin fan, just a fan. I realize he came in and took a fight on short notice, but I think Paul Felder vs. Justin Gaethje would be a good battle,” Abdelaziz said. “Nothing makes sense, nothing makes sense, nothing makes sense. But I don't think so– the rating might be illogical. Maybe it doesn't make sense for the UFC, but Sean and I value their point of view as well. But just for fun? What about the fan? Gaethje-Felder is an exciting fight.”
With little choices, Abdelaziz is understandably being inventive. So one can only expect that “The Highlight” gets a fight earlier.
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