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Tag: Justin Gaethje

  • Justin Gaethje After First Rewatch Of UFC 300 Loss: ‘I Fought Really Well’

    Justin Gaethje After First Rewatch Of UFC 300 Loss: ‘I Fought Really Well’

    Though the night ended in the worst way possible for him, UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje saw plenty of positives to take from his most recent fight.

    Gaethje is slated to co-headline this weekend’s UFC 313 pay-per-view in a rematch against Rafael Fiziev, who’s stepped up on late notice to replace the injured Dan Hooker.

    For “The Highlight,” Saturday’s event will mark his first outing in 11 months, having not appeared since a crushing last-second knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 last April.

    Much has been made about the impact of that setback leading up to Gaethje’s return, and the man himself revealed during media day that he sat down and watched the full fight back for the first time just days out from UFC 313.

    “I just watched the Max fight today for the first time,” he said during media day. “I actually think I fought really well. It was just he was so great that night. … I just figured it was about time (to rewatch it). … To be fair, I did stop it with 10 seconds left (laughs). I’ve seen that part plenty of times.”

    Gaethje went on to address his previous comments about returning to a more aggressive style in 2025. That, coupled with a “refined” skillset, will make for a dangerous combination in the eyes of the ex-interim champ.

  • UFC 313 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Ankalaev, Gaethje vs. Fiziev 2, And More

    UFC 313 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Pereira vs. Ankalaev, Gaethje vs. Fiziev 2, And More

    UFC 313 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekend’s lineup.

    The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, March 8, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.

    Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira, who is tasked with getting the better of Magomed Ankalaev if he’s to record a fourth successful title defense.

    Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see a former interim champ in action as Justin Gaethje returns for his first fight since falling to a brutal knockout at the hands of Max Holloway last April. To put himself back into the title conversation, “The Highlight” must repeat his 2023 triumph over Rafael Fiziev, who’s stepped up on late notice to replace the injured Dan Hooker.

    Also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Jalin Turner, Amanda Lemos, Mauricio Ruffy, and Curtis Blaydes.

    UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev Betting Odds

    Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 313 (as of 3/3), courtesy of DraftKings.

    Main Card:

    • Alex Pereira (-115) vs. Magomed Ankalaev (-105)
    • Justin Gaethje (+120) vs. Rafael Fiziev (-142)
    • Jalin Turner (-102) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (-118)
    • Amanda Lemos (+124) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (-148)
    • King Green (+360) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (-470)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Curtis Blaydes (-325) vs. Rizvan Kuniev (+260)
    • Joshua Van (-192) vs. Rei Tsuruya (+160)
    • Brunno Ferreira (+124) vs. Armen Petrosyan (-148)
    • Alex Morono (+500) vs. Carlos Leal (-700)

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Mairon Santos (-355) vs. Francis Marshall (+280)
    • Djorden Santos (-192) vs. Ozzy Diaz (+160)
    • Chris Gutierrez vs. John Castañeda
  • UFC Lightweight Bitter After Missing Out On Justin Gaethje Fight: ‘Strikers Have Always Feared Wrestlers!’

    UFC Lightweight Bitter After Missing Out On Justin Gaethje Fight: ‘Strikers Have Always Feared Wrestlers!’

    A UFC lightweight contender seems to be fuming after being passed over for the opportunity to square off against Justin Gaethje next.

    Gaethje was initially scheduled to face Dan Hooker in a highly anticipated five-round co-main event at UFC 313 on March 8, set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, in a sudden twist on Tuesday, “The Highlight” found himself without a dance partner after Hooker was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a hand injury.

    The UFC’s top brass allegedly reached out to several elite 155-pound contenders, including Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, and Dustin Poirier, in a bid to find a last-minute replacement for “The Hangman.” The promotion ultimately shifted its focus to Gaethje’s former foe, Rafael Fiziev, who stepped up and accepted the fight on short notice.

    Mateusz Gamrot, one of the many fighters eagerly campaigning for a shot at Gaethje, is seemingly unimpressed with the UFC’s decision to book Fiziev for the rematch. Following the fight announcement, Gamrot took to X to throw shade at Gaethje, calling him out for accepting the bout.

    He claimed that the only reason the former UFC interim lightweight champion agreed to the fight was because “Ataman” presents a stylistically favorable matchup for him.

    “Easier choice stylistically. Strikers have always feared wrestlers. I keep in great shape and I’m ready for anyone!” Gamrot wrote on X.

    “The Highlight” is set to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon after a hiatus of nearly a year. His last outing saw him suffer a buzzer-beater knockout loss to Max Holloway in their BMF title showdown at UFC 300 this past April.

    Meanwhile, Fiziev last stepped into the Octagon in September 2023, headlining a UFC Fight Night clash against “Gamer.” Unfortunately, his night was cut short after suffering a torn ACL in the second round, forcing a TKO defeat.

    Gaethje already holds a majority decision victory over Fiziev from their showdown at UFC 286 in March 2023.

  • Dustin Poirier Responds To Claim He Rejected Justin Gaethje Trilogy At UFC 313

    Dustin Poirier has refuted any suggestion he outright rejected a potential short-notice clash with Justin Gaethje at UFC 313.

    The UFC 313 co-main event has undergone a significant late change, with Rafael Fiziev stepping in to replace the injured Dan Hooker in a rematch against Gaethje.

    While Fiziev ultimately secured the fight, he wasn’t the only option considered. Several high-profile fighters, including Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier, were seemingly in the discussion, but logistical and weight-related issues prevented them from accepting.

    After Dan Hooker withdrew due to injury, multiple fighters expressed interest in stepping up. Gaethje revealed the decision-making process, providing insight into why Fiziev was ultimately chosen.

    “Arman and Charles understandably said no. Max and Dustin understandably said no. Moicano got the call and said no. Props to Fiziev for volunteering to fly across the world and take this fight. Big risk here for me taking this rematch against an elite striker. Life’s a trip. Best live show on earth going down March 8th #UFC313.”

    While Gaethje listed Poirier among those who declined, Dustin Poirier quickly clarified that he had actually reached out to the UFC himself upon hearing the news.

    “I’m the one who reached out to them when I read the news. Ask Hunter. All respect to you and Fiziev, looking forward to this one again.” 

    Gaethje responded, explaining that he didn’t mean to imply Poirier or others refused to fight him.

    “I was just running back the crazy 48 hours I went through. I was not trying to imply any of you guys would not fight me. Arman was too heavy, same with Charles. UFC obviously has plans for you at a later date so they said that’s a no-go.”

    Poirier then responded in good spirits: “All good bro!! Glad you got an opponent! Can’t wait to watch!!”

    Arman Tsarukyan also expressed interest in taking the fight on short notice. However, due to limited time to prepare for a standard lightweight bout (155 pounds), the Russian-Armenian proposed a 160-pound catchweight fight.

    According to Tsarukyan, the UFC did not agree to the catchweight, which ultimately led to Fiziev being chosen instead.

    “Ataman,” who lost a close decision to Gaethje in their first encounter at UFC 286, now has a shot at redemption on short notice.

  • Justin Gaethje Claims 5 Big Names Turned Down UFC 313 Fight Before Rafael Fiziev Rematch Got Booked

    Justin Gaethje Claims 5 Big Names Turned Down UFC 313 Fight Before Rafael Fiziev Rematch Got Booked

    Former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has a replacement opponent set for UFC 313 — but it seemingly wasn’t the promotion’s first choice.

    The mixed martial arts leader was left scrambling this week after Dan Hooker withdrew from his scheduled co-main event with “The Highlight” at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on March 8.

    While Hooker had hoped for the matchup to be rescheduled for a later date after he sustained a broken hand in training, the UFC opted to keep Gaethje on the UFC 313 lineup.

    With that, an opponent search got underway and ultimately landed the higher-ups at the door of Rafael Fiziev. UFC CEO Dana White announced late Wednesday that “Ataman” will have the chance for revenge opposite Gaethje two years on from their entertaining three-rounder in London, England.

    But the Azerbaijani striker looks to have been far down the list of possible replacements, with Gaethje claiming in a social media post that Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano all got offers.

    “Arman and Charles understandably said no. Max and Dustin understandably said no. Moicano got the call and said no. Props to Fiziev for volunteering to fly across the world and take this fight. Big risk here for me taking this rematch against and elite striker. Life’s a trip. Best live show on earth going down March 8th #UFC313“

    Nevertheless, “The Highlight” will no doubt be relieved that one prominent name has accepted the short-notice assignment, meaning his fight camp won’t have been for nothing.

    UFC 313 will mark Gaethje’s first outing since falling to a brutal knockout loss at the hands of Holloway last April. Fiziev, meanwhile, has been out of action since suffering a torn ACL against Mateusz Gamrot in September 2023.

  • Three Ranked Lightweights Offer To Replace Injured Dan Hooker, Face Justin Gaethje At UFC 313

    Former interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje isn’t short on opponent options should he want to stay on next month’s pay-per-view card.

    The injury curse struck the hearts of fans again this week after Dan Hooker revealed that a broken hand has forced him out of UFC 313 on March 8. “The Hangman” was slated to co-headline in a clash against Gaethje that many were tipping to be Fight of the Year in 2025.

    It remains to be seen what the promotion has planned for “The Highlight” moving forward, and whether or not the Hooker bout will simply be rescheduled for a later date.

    But should the fan favorite be kept on the lineup for the upcoming PPV at T-Mobile Arena, a number of potential replacement opponents have stepped forward.

    The first to raise their hand was a familiar foe of Gaethje’s in Rafael Fiziev, whom the American defeated in London back in 2023.

    “Let’s run it back @Justin_Gaethje,” Fiziev wrote.

    “Ataman” hasn’t fought since tearing his ACL against Mateusz Gamrot 17 months ago.

    But Fiziev isn’t the only one open to taking up the short-notice assignment, with both Renato Moicano and Gamrot marking a pair of top 10 contenders who went public with their willingness to step in.

    “2 weeks is good! I have enough time for 2 or 3 sparring sessions! I will be ready if they call!” Moicano stated.

    “Hooker out, I’m ready to go @Justin_Gaethje 2 weeks no matter!! @ufc,” Gamrot posted.

    Moicano is no stranger to short-notice bouts, having made an unsuccessful challenge of Islam Makhachev’s title on 24 hours’ notice just last month.

    “Gamer,” meanwhile, outlined strong logic in his callout of Gaethje, pointing out that the former interim champ’s original opponent, New Zealand’s Hooker, only narrowly outpointed him at UFC 305 last August.

  • Dan Hooker Confirms Withdrawal from UFC 313 Fight Against Justin Gaethje

    Dan Hooker Confirms Withdrawal from UFC 313 Fight Against Justin Gaethje

    Fight fans may be left disappointed, as Dan Hooker has unfortunately bowed out of his much looked-forward-to matchup.

    Hooker was set to collide with former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje in the co-main event of UFC 313 on March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Originally scheduled for five rounds, Hooker claimed in an interview with Submission Radio that the fight had been shortened to three rounds at Gaethje’s request.

    However, Australia-based MMA content creator Benny P was the first to break the news on X, reporting that “The Hangman” has withdrawn from his scheduled showdown with Gaethje. He also noted that it remains uncertain whether “The Highlight” will receive a new opponent or if the UFC intends to reschedule the bout for a later event.

    Hooker personally confirmed his withdrawal on his daughter Zoe’s YouTube channel on Tuesday morning, revealing that he was forced to pull out after suffering a hand injury.

    “We did have a little break, we have been busy,” Hooker said. “Dad had a fight, or was supposed to have a fight but I’ve busted my paw.”

    “The Hangman” last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 305 this past August, where he secured a gritty split-decision victory over Mateusz Gamrot, pushing his win streak to three. Over his last eight UFC bouts, Hooker has gone 4-4.

    Meanwhile, Gaethje was set to make his return to the Octagon after an 11-month layoff, following his buzzer-beater knockout loss to former featherweight champion Max Holloway in their BMF title clash at UFC 300 in April 2024. “The Highlight” has struggled with consistency in recent years, going 3-3 in his last six fights.

  • Dan Hooker ‘100 Percent’ Knows He’s Going To The Hospital After Justin Gaethje Fight

    Dan Hooker ‘100 Percent’ Knows He’s Going To The Hospital After Justin Gaethje Fight

    Dan Hooker is preparing for an all-out war when he faces Justin Gaethje in a five-round co-main event at UFC 313 in Las Vegas. Regardless of the outcome, “The Hangman” expects the fight to be so grueling that he’ll need medical attention afterward.

    Currently riding a three-fight win streak, Hooker sees this as a massive opportunity. A victory over Gaethje could launch him into lightweight title contention, but he’s also fully aware of the brutal nature of the matchup ahead.

    “I think that’s why God put me on this Earth — to get into fist fights,” Hooker told ESPN Australia. “If I’m finally going to get to this fight and change my tune, this is what I’ve been calling for the whole time. Live by the sword, die by the sword is just the way you have to approach life. I’m going to go out there, and it’s going to go one of two ways. It doesn’t matter what happens, I’m prepared.”

    Known for his durability and aggressive fighting style, Hooker embraces the reality of stepping into the octagon with Gaethje, one of the most violent fighters in UFC history.

    “I know full well, 100 percent, this fight is going to end — no matter whether his hand gets raised, my arm gets raised — I’m going straight on a stretcher, straight into the back of an ambulance, and I’m going to the hospital,” Hooker said. “I’ve accepted [that]. I’ve come to terms with that’s how this night is going to end. I’ve come to terms with that. I’ve embraced that. So if someone is not willing to go to the lengths I’m willing to go to, they’re going to have a bad night.”

    While Gaethje expects a brutal fight, Hooker remains confident in his ability to win. Gaethje’s last fight, the BMF title bout against Max Holloway at UFC 300, ended in a devastating Knockout of the Year loss. The New Zealander is looking to replicate that success when they meet in the octagon next month.

    “If I wake up on fight day, no matter what’s going on, if I look down and my left arm is attached to my body, I’m confident, baby,” Hooker said. “I know I can send any man walking the face of the planet to Mars. So I’m not worried about it.”

    With both fighters known for their relentless styles, UFC 313’s co-main event promises to be one of the most violent fights of the year.

  • Justin Gaethje: Islam Makhachev Is A Better Matchup For Me Than Khabib Nurmagomedov

    Justin Gaethje has his sights set on another shot at the UFC lightweight championship and hopes the opportunity comes against current titleholder Islam Makhachev.

    Before he can earn that chance, Gaethje must first get past Dan Hooker in their five-round co-main event at UFC 313 on March 8 in Las Vegas. The fight is a pivotal moment for “The Highlight,” as it represents a chance to solidify himself once again as a top contender in the division.

    The former interim lightweight champ has come close to claiming true UFC gold twice but fell short on both occasions, suffering submission losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 and Charles Oliveira at UFC 274.

    Despite these setbacks, his hunger to climb back to the top remains strong.

    “I want to fight Makhachev. He is the champ, and I do believe that he is a better matchup for me than Khabib,” Gaethje said during a Q&A on his YouTube channel. “But he’s good.”

    While Gaethje is one of the few fighters to have won a round against Nurmagomedov, he doesn’t believe he could have ultimately beaten that version of “The Eagle.”

    “I think Khabib was probably the one that I felt even if I performed better, I’m not sure that if I could’ve beaten him that night specifically,” Gaethje admitted. “That night that I fought Khabib, I would say he is my toughest opponent to date.”

    With a high-stakes matchup against Hooker ahead, Gaethje remains focused on securing another shot at the title — this time against Makhachev, a challenge he believes he is better suited for than his past title fights.

  • ‘That Makes Up For 312’ – Fans React To Reveal Of Full Main Card For UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev

    ‘That Makes Up For 312’ – Fans React To Reveal Of Full Main Card For UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev

    The main card for next month’s UFC 313 pay-per-view event has been confirmed — and fans are expecting violence.

    After a disappointing numbered event Down Under in Sydney, Australia earlier this month, the promotion’s March offering on PPV comes from within the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    Two highly anticipated clashes are set to headline, with fan favorite Alex Pereira defending his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev in the main event and Justin Gaethje meeting Dan Hooker in a sure-fire barnburner at 155 pounds.

    During the broadcast of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night event at the Apex, the MMA leader confirmed which other three fights will go down on the UFC 313 main card, including two further lightweight bouts and a key contest at 115 pounds.

    • Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira (C) vs. Magomed Ankalaev
    • Lightweight: Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker
    • Lightweight: Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
    • Women’s Strawweight: Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo
    • Lightweight: King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy

    Fans quickly flocked to social media to react, with the majority seemingly anticipating a much more electric card at UFC 313 than was delivered to Aussie fans at Qudos Bank Arena on Feb. 8.

    https://twitter.com/AintFredoYou/status/1890957073996767684
  • What’s Next After UFC 312? Current UFC 313 Card For Las Vegas On March 8

    What’s Next After UFC 312? Current UFC 313 Card For Las Vegas On March 8

    UFC 312 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 313 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    The promotion was in Sydney, Australia this past week, where the Qudos Bank Arena played host to some intriguing matchups for its second numbered event of the new year. Of note were headline wins for Dricus Du Plessis and Zhang Weili, as well as victories for Tallison Teixeira and Jake Matthews.

    While the aftermath of the Feb. 8 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV — and from the middleweight title picture to the light heavyweight championship conversation.

    At UFC 313, set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 8, reigning kingpin Alex Pereira will open his account for the new year, once again in defense of his 205-pound gold. After consecutive victories over Jamahal Hill, Jiří Procházka, and Khalil Rountree in 2024, the Brazilian will next meet the challenge of Magomed Ankalaev.

    Gaethje vs. Hooker Sets The Stage For Title Headliner At UFC 313

    Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, as top lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker meet in a five-round battle that many expect to be in the conversation for Fight of the Year come the end of 2025.

    And that’s not the only sure-fire barnburner at 155 pounds. Also slated to collide at UFC 313 is veteran King Green and surging Fighting Nerds prospect Mauricio Ruffy.

    An important strawweight bout is also set, with former title challenger Amanda Lemos tasked with defending her position on the ladder against up-and-comer Iasmin Lucindo.

    See below for the UFC 313 card, as it stands.

    • Alex Pereira (C) vs. Magomed Ankalaev (light heavyweight championship)
    • Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker (lightweight)
    • Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo (women’s strawweight)
    • King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy (lightweight)
    • Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan (middleweight)
    • Bruno Silva vs. Joshua Van (flyweight)
    • Alex Morono vs. Carlos Leal (welterweight)
    • Chris Gutierrez vs. Jean Matsumoto (bantamweight)
    • Ozzy Diaz vs. Djorden Santos (middleweight)
    • Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall (featherweight)
    Justin Gaethje
    Image: UFC.com
  • Charles Oliveira: UFC Was ‘Straight Up Disrespectful’ Before Justin Gaethje Fight

    Charles Oliveira: UFC Was ‘Straight Up Disrespectful’ Before Justin Gaethje Fight

    Charles Oliveira was stripped of the UFC lightweight title in 2022 before his scheduled title defense against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274. The controversy arose when Oliveira weighed in 0.5 pounds over the championship limit at the official weigh-ins.

    While “do Bronx” went on to submit Gaethje in the first round, he was unable to walk away with the belt and the incident left a lasting impression on him.

    In a recent appearance on the JAXXON Podcast, Oliveira expressed his frustration with how the situation was handled, insisting that he had made weight the night before.

    “What the UFC did was straight up disrespectful,” Oliveira said through an interpreter. “I always like to make weight on Thursday, the night before. I already had the confidence, I already checked the weight, I was already on weight. But I was hearing rumors — not just me, but other fighters too — that the scale wasn’t calibrated properly.”

    Oliveira claimed the test scale fighters used during fight week was inaccurate until it was recalibrated on Friday morning. After coming in 0.5 pounds over the 155-pound championship limit, he was given one hour to cut the remaining weight.

    Despite his efforts during that hour, Oliveira weighed in at 155.5 pounds again, resulting in him being stripped of the title.

    “I felt like I should have been the first person to know if the scale was messed up or not,” Oliveira said. “I felt disrespected by them not doing that. So, when they told me to lose the 0.5 pounds, I went back to the hotel room to try to sweat it out. I had to do one of the things I hate the most — soaking in the hot tub. When I went back to weigh in, my underwear was wet, and they told me to take it off because it could affect the weight. Even without the underwear, I was still 0.2 pounds over. That’s when I knew something was wrong with the scale.”

    Several fighters at UFC 274 reportedly experienced similar issues with the test scale, further fueling Oliveira’s frustration.

    “I just thought the UFC did an injustice to me, and I wish I had a fair chance,” he said.

  • Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker Announced As UFC 313 Co-Main Event In Las Vegas

    Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker Announced As UFC 313 Co-Main Event In Las Vegas

    A huge lightweight contest between Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker has been confirmed for the UFC 313 co-main event on March 8.

    MMA Mania’s Alex Behunin reported on the matchup back in December, noting it had been talked about for UFC 313 on March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    And the fight was made official during the UFC 311 broadcast, alongside the news that Alex Pereira will defend his gold opposite Magomed Ankalaev.

    Gaethje has been out of action since his knockout loss against Max Holloway in the incredible BMF title fight that took place at UFC 300 in April. “The Highlight” has produced some instant classics against many of the division’s best and though the same can be said for Hooker, they’re somehow yet to cross paths.

    “The Hangman” recently made his return to the top of the weight class by pulling off a massive victory over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 in August. Hooker previously ruled himself out of a return for UFC 312 that takes place in February in Sydney but stated that the Gaethje fight would be his preferred option.

  • Justin Gaethje Confirms Opponent He’s Preparing To Face In First Fight Since UFC 300 Knockout

    Former interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje expects to be back in action before quarter one of 2025 comes to a close.

    Gaethje, who currently occupies the #3 ranking at 155 pounds, hasn’t competed since his BMF title defense at UFC 300 last April. “The Highlight” was on the receiving end of the year’s consensus best knockout — a buzzer-beating finish for Max Holloway.

    The result stalled plans for another championship opportunity for the Arizona native. And given the severity of the KO, Gaethje was sent to the sidelines for a period of rest and recovery.

    Now cleared to return, Gaethje is looking ahead to his first assignment of the new year. And while discussing that during a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, the 36-year-old confirmed reports of a showdown with Dan Hooker.

    Talk of that matchup first arose last month via journalist Alex Behunin, who described it as being in the works for UFC 313 in Las Vegas on March 8.

    While it remains unofficial, Gaethje revealed that he is indeed preparing for that exact task.

    “So there’s no official fight signed, but I told the UFC maybe two, three months ago that March was, you know, the date I was looking for,” Gaethje said. “I know there’s a fight March 8th in Las Vegas, so that’s the one I told them I wanted to be on. I think they’re figuring out fights right now, but I’m certainly mentally preparing, physically preparing to fight on that date.

    “When you take a loss like that and you’re as competitive as we are, then it lights a fire under your ass,” Gaethje continued. “So we’re back to it, back to, you know, back in the swing of things and back getting ready for a specific day, a specific opponent. I think it’s going to be Dan Hooker. But you know, with the UFC, things can always change.”

    Prior to his setback against “Blessed,” Gaethje was coming off consecutive wins over Rafael Fiziev and Dustin Poirier in 2023.

    While he’ll be looking to bounce back in 2025, Hooker will hope to continue his momentum from a massive result Down Under last August. At UFC 305 in Perth, he made it three wins in a row by outpointing Mateusz Gamrot to upset the odds and return to title contention.

  • Former Champion Names Top Five UFC Fights Of 2024, Leaves Out Holloway vs. Gaethje

    Former Champion Names Top Five UFC Fights Of 2024, Leaves Out Holloway vs. Gaethje

    With 2025 underway, the MMA world is already starting to look ahead to the action that we have to look forward to over the coming 12 months rather than reflecting on the past. 2024 produced some great fights and it’s always fun to look back on them and revisit some of the most exciting moments from throughout the year.

    During a recent episode of his podcast, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling did just that by listing what he thinks were the best fights of the previous year. His picks featured some key differences to the consensus picks that you’re sure to see on most peoples lists from 2024.

    For a start, the BMF title fight between Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje from UFC 300 is nowhere to be seen in the five fights that Sterling discussed. This fight has accumulated the majority of the fight of the year awards but some would argue that in order for it to rank highly in this category, it needs to be a back-and-forth affair.

    Holloway versus Gaethje was definitely the most memorable fight of the year but “Blessed” was fairly dominant before he capped the performance off with one of the all-time great UFC knockouts. Sterling applied this same logic when choosing highly competitive fights that saw both men have success.

    “The one that comes to mind is probably Du Plessis and Strickland and I think the next one after that, not in any order, I mean back and forth, you got Gamrot versus Dan Hooker and then you also have Islam Makhachev versus Dustin Poirier.”

    Sterling later pointed out a pair of split decision contests that are absolutely deserving of their recognition even if they don’t have the name value of the three previous selections. Esteban Ribovics’ war with Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306 was undoubtedly the highlight of the promotion’s debut at the Sphere and though UFC 308 was littered with stand out moments, the battle between Mateusz Rębecki and Myktybek Orolbai is the one that “Funkmaster” thinks should take the top spot.

    “So I don’t know, I think between all of those, they were all pretty good but the Orolbai one to me, because he was able to, his eye looked like it was swollen shut and they were going to stop the fight. They let him continue even though his eye was a balloon and from there, came back and looked like he was about to get Rębecki out of there… great, great fight and I think it showed a lot of heart, a lot of grit and just like the sheer will to win.”

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov Advises Former Opponents Dustin Poirier & Justin Gaethje To Retire

    Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov retired on top, leaving the sport after a dominant submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.

    Despite UFC CEO Dana White’s efforts to lure him back, Khabib remains firm in his decision to stay retired. However, he remains active in the sport as a trainer and continues to keep a close eye on the MMA landscape.

    The Dagestani has witnessed the decline of several notable fighters, including Dustin Poirier, Gaethje, and Tony Ferguson, and he has urged them to step away from competition.

    “I think Poirier has to stop fighting. I think he’s finished,” Khabib said during an interview on the Pound 4 Pound podcast. “Justin Gaethje, Khabib, Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson — this is old school, brother. Stop fighting. We have to recognize relevance.”

    Khabib’s protégé, Islam Makhachev, recently defeated Poirier to retain the lightweight title. That loss marked the Louisianan’s third failed title bid, and he has since announced that he will retire after his next fight.

    Meanwhile, Gaethje is coming off a brutal knockout loss at UFC 300 and has yet to schedule a return. Ferguson, on the other hand, is on an eight-fight losing streak and hasn’t won a bout since 2019.

  • Dan Hooker Explains Favoring Gaethje Fight Over Poirier Rematch

    Dan Hooker Explains Favoring Gaethje Fight Over Poirier Rematch

    Though many fans are clamoring for him to run it back with Dustin Poirier, UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker doesn’t appear completely interested in “The Diamond.”

    Following a tough stretch of results, Hooker has firmly bounced back in recent times. He most recently returned to title contention by upsetting the odds to outpoint the highly regarded Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 this past August.

    With that result in Perth, Australia, “The Hangman” could be one win away from a possible title shot. And because of that, Hooker isn’t looking to face a contender on their “way out the door.”

    Following his latest win, the City Kickboxing standout initially pointed to a rematch with multi-time title challenger Poirier as a desired next fight. But that interest has seemingly dissipated, as Hooker revealed during an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned.

    While acknowledging other options such as a first-time clash with Justin Gaethje, Hooker showed a surprising lack of interest in a second dance opposite Poirier.

    The New Zealander cited Poirier’s planned retirement in 2025 as the reason behind his reservations when it comes to that fight, stating that he’s not keen on doing battle with somebody who has one foot into retirement.

    “I’ve had a lot of the guys in the top five say my name,” Hooker said. “Arman (Tsarukyan) mentioned it for an interim title. Gaethje mentioned my name. Poirier, obviously, mentioned my name. I’m keen on any of those fights. … Dustin, I don’t know.

    He laid his gloves down in his last fight, then he’s coming out and he’s saying he’ll do another one but like, as a retirement fight. I don’t know. I’m not really interested in kicking someone on the way out the door,” Hooker continued. “Gaethje, that’s obviously a fight fan’s dream, that right there. Someone new, there’s something there that fans have wanted to see for a very long time and finally kind of makes sense.”

    “The Diamond” originally looked set to hang up the gloves following his failed title bid opposite Islam Makhachev this past June, but he’s since recommitted to the continuation of his fighting career for the time being.

    And Poirier could even be set for two more outings should the Louisiana-held UFC event at which he hopes to retire not be scheduled until the second half of 2025.

    For now, it would appear fans can cut Hooker from their speculation when it comes to Poirier’s final foe/s. That is, unless “The Diamond’s” pitch for a BMF tournament comes to fruition…

  • Justin Gaethje Gives Targeted UFC Return Date

    Justin Gaethje is edging closer to his return to the Octagon with a potential timeframe in sight. According to his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, the former interim lightweight champion is open to matchups with contenders such as Renato Moicano and Dan Hooker.

    Gaethje, currently ranked third in the official lightweight rankings, has been on the sidelines since his knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300, where he lost the symbolic BMF (Baddest Motherf***) championship.

    Before that defeat, Gaethje had secured two significant victories. He won a unanimous decision over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286 in March 2023, earning him Fight of the Night honors. In July of that year, Gaethje claimed the BMF title after a second-round knockout of Dustin Poirier at UFC 291, a performance that also earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. Abdelaziz confirmed that Gaethje is eyeing a return to action as early as March of next year.

    “Justin Gaethje’s going to fight in March,” Abdelaziz told MMA Fighting. “Against who? I have no idea. It could be Dan Hooker, Dustin Poirier, or Renato Moicano. Whatever it is, I don’t know yet, but I would like to see Justin fight in March. He needs a little bit of time to recover after his last fight. He deserves that.”

  • UFC Veteran Picks Justin Gaethje Over Dustin Poirier & Paddy Pimblett As Renato Moicano’s ‘Glaringly Obvious’ Next Opponent

    UFC Veteran Picks Justin Gaethje Over Dustin Poirier & Paddy Pimblett As Renato Moicano’s ‘Glaringly Obvious’ Next Opponent

    Renato Moicano has won four fights in a row for the first time in his UFC career. Headlining UFC Paris couldn’t have been better for the Brazilian as he put a beating on Benoit Saint-Denis in front of the latter’s home crowd and gave an entertaining post-fight interview yet again.

    Moicano has emerged as an anti-hero in the UFC lightweight division. He disses fellow fighters and the crowds but the “Money Moicano” gimmick has sat extremely well with the fans.

    Moicano is arguably at his career best in terms of momentum and popularity right now. According to Chael Sonnen, Justin Gaethje is the ideal next opponent for the American Top Team fighter…

    Chael Sonnen Explains How Justin Gaethje Could Make Renato Moicano A UFC Star

    Sonnen discussed Moicano’s next UFC opponent on his YouTube channel recently. Although the UFC Paris winner called out the likes of Dan Hooker and Paddy Pimblett in his post-fight interview, “The American Gangster” has many reasons to believe that Gaethje is a better matchup.

    “Moicano’s next fight is Justin Gaethje. Now, that is exactly what my response would be. For me, that’s like glaringly obvious.”

    For starters, Gaethje is coming off a loss but he’s still one of the biggest draws in the promotion. The fight with Moicano gives the former title challenger hope to restart his run while for the Brazilian, it is a great opportunity to make himself known to as many mainstream fans as possible.

    “If you got over on Dustin Poirier, you could then do anything. Fight for titles, main events, there’d be no argument that you couldn’t fit nicely into. And, Justin Gaethje brings those same accolades but there’s one difference which is you don’t have to be as careful with the bookings of Gaethje because he is not a in a situation where he’s saying my next one is my final.”

    With a win over Gaethje, Moicano will have a name big enough to headline most of his events and even fight for the title. Sonnen’s thought process here isn’t new, to be fair. The UFC usually pits rising stars against veterans to build new names.

    This is where Moicano’s age comes in, though. He’s not a prospect and in fact, has been in the UFC for over ten years. At 35, he’s likely on his final title run at lightweight and would want the biggest matchups out there.

    According to Sonnen, Gaethje makes more sense than Poirier because “The Diamond” is adamant about retiring after his next fight and he might be hesitant to agree to Moicano who’s yet to become a top draw.

    Sonnen also declined Pimblett as a potential opponent for Moicano because they both portray a likable heel personality. Instead of booking them against each other and derailing at least one hype train, the UFC would want to build them both and capitalize on a much bigger fight later on.

  • Dustin Poirier Praised For Wanting Hard Match Up As Potential Next Fight: ‘You Can’t Ask Anything More…’

    Dustin Poirier Praised For Wanting Hard Match Up As Potential Next Fight: ‘You Can’t Ask Anything More…’

    Dustin Poirier recently received accolades from MMA analysts for expressing his desire to take on a stylistically challenging opponent in his next fight.

    “The Diamond” came up short in his third—and possibly final—quest for the undisputed UFC lightweight title against reigning champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 this past June. Poirier endured a grueling back-and-forth battle before ultimately succumbing to a submission in the fifth round.

    After his setback, Poirier hinted that his last appearance in the Octagon might be behind him. However, just a few weeks later, the former UFC interim champion experienced a shift in perspective, revealing that he still feels a strong desire to fight—provided the matchup is enticing enough for him.

    It appears that “The Diamond” has put an intriguing bout in place for himself, as he recently teased on X his desire to settle the score with Justin Gaethje in a highly anticipated trilogy match.

    Considering Poirier’s 1-1 record against “The Highlight”, MMA analysts Josh Thomson and “Big” John McCarthy praised his determination to pursue challenging matchups, even as he nears the later stages of his career.

    Thomson Says Poirier Never Wants The ‘Easy Road’ In His Career

    During a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast, both Thompson and McCarthy lauded Poirier for considering a trilogy bout with Gaethje. “The Punk” noted that the 35-year-old Louisiana native is driven by the prospect of facing Gaethje and never hesitates to embrace the toughest challenges in his career.

    “The fact that Dustin’s calling for the fight means that this guy motivates him enough to say, ‘You know what? Let’s run this back; let’s do it a third time; let’s give the fans what they want,’” Thomson said. “I’ve never looked at Dustin as someone who wants the easy road; he’s not that guy.”

    McCarthy remarked that the opponents “The Diamond” has faced over his career embody the highest level of competition in the UFC lightweight division, and that is truly commendable.

    “If you’re going to look at it from a certain point, you know everybody he was fighting was either a champion or a former champion,” McCarthy said. “We’re talking top of the food chain with every guy that he was fighting, and it’s just amazing. You know, I think it was from the Dan Hooker fight; I could be wrong, but I mean, just crazy who that guy has been fighting. You can’t ask anything more from a fighter than what you get from Dustin Poirier.”

    Poirier suffered a devastating knockout at the hands of “The Highlight” in their rematch for the ‘BMF’ title at UFC 291 in July 2023. However, in their initial encounter back in April 2018, Poirier emerged victorious, finishing Gaethje after an intense showdown.

  • Justin Gaethje Makes Strong Pick For Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway At UFC 308: ‘In My Mind, I Can’t See Him Losing’

    Justin Gaethje Makes Strong Pick For Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway At UFC 308: ‘In My Mind, I Can’t See Him Losing’

    At UFC 300, Justin Gaethje was on the receiving end of Max Holloway’s iconic last-second KO. The former UFC featherweight champion broke Gaethje’s nose towards the end of the first and was winning comfortably on the scorecards, making the moment all the more special.

    The loss to Holloway might be a tough pill to swallow for “The Highlight”. After losing to Charles Oliveira in a title fight, he bounced back by beating Rafael Fiziev via decision and then knocking out Dustin Poirier with a head kick. A win over Holloway could’ve set him up for a title shot against Islam Makhachev.

    Holloway will soon be back in action, while Gaethje has yet to spar again. Here’s how the former interim UFC lightweight champion thinks the UFC 308 main event would go…

    Justin Gaethje Honestly Admits Why He’s Backing Max Holloway To Beat Ilia Topuria At UFC 308

    Gaethje talked about his UFC return with some reporters from outlets like MMA Junkie at Top Golf in Las Vegas recently. After mentioning the four ideal opponents, he discussed the UFC 308 main event between Ilia Topuria and Holloway.

    “The Highlight” expects the challenger to emerge victorious but was heavily impressed by Topuria’s performance against Volkanovski. He appreciated the current UFC featherweight kingpin for being patient and executing his game plan perfectly at UFC 298.

    Gaethje admitted that he would like Holloway to win also because the latter knocked him out cold at UFC 300. “Blessed” overwhelmed his opponent with patient yet clear striking and a similar strategy might help him reclaim gold at UFC 308.

    Here’s what the former UFC BMF title holder said when asked to pick between Topuria and Holloway:

    “I mean, I really hope that Max wins. I mean, Ilia was so impressive with Volkanovski, his patience. He fought an amazing fight. Um, I don’t know. I expected something different than I saw from Max, I was very impressed. And so, in my mind, I can’t see him losing but that’s cause I just got put to sleep by him.”

    Read More: Merab Dvalishvili Wants To Avenge Aljamain Sterling Loss, Prove O’Malley Got ‘Lucky’

  • Dustin Poirier’s Teammate Hints At Date & Opponent For His Final UFC Fight (Exclusive)

    Dustin Poirier’s Teammate Hints At Date & Opponent For His Final UFC Fight (Exclusive)

    A hunch or a leak? Dustin Poirier’s teammate appeared confident when predicting a month and opponent for his farewell fight in the UFC.

    It initially appeared as though fans had seen Poirier make the walk for the final time this past summer. After a vintage knockout of Benoît Saint Denis in March, the former interim UFC lightweight champion had one last opportunity to achieve undisputed status.

    But while he gave it his all through four rounds against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in Newark, “The Diamond” succumbed to a rear-naked choke in the final frame of the pay-per-view main event.

    The veteran’s Octagon interview suggested that an official retirement was on the way, but the fire beneath Poirier has not fully diminished. And after pondering a farewell fight, the Louisianan has appeared to make that decision final.

    Talk has since turned to which major matchup Poirier could depart the sport off the back of, and “The Diamond” himself narrowed down his options to seven big names.

    A man who knows Poirier well from their ongoing stint as teammates over at American Top Team recently picked one out…

    Dawson Predicts Poirier vs. Gaethje 3 In February 2025

    During a recent interview with MMA News’ Ryan Jarrell, Dawson spoke on the current status of Poirier’s career and apparent plans to compete one final time before hanging up the gloves.

    While reiterating his belief that “The Diamond” is not yet done, “KGD” predicted a February 2025 return for his ATT training partner but insisted that didn’t come from a place of insider knowledge.

    “I think he’ll fight in February. I don’t have any insider information,” Dawson told MMA News. “I don’t know anything. There’s no (set) date or anything like that. I just don’t think he’s done. I’ve texted him a couple times and he sounds like a man who wants to fight again.”

    But when pondering a date for his own next appearance inside the Octagon, the same month reared its head…

    “Let’s do February, on Dustin’s card.”

    In terms of an opponent, Dawson was 100 percent certain in stating that a rumored clash with former ATT standout Colby Covington is not on the table. Instead, the 30-year-old displayed a grin while producing a different name.

    “I know for a fact he’s not fighting Colby Covington. I called him and asked him about it, and he said, ‘Heck no.’ He said something a little worse than ‘heck,’” Dawson said, before smiling and taking a long pause when asked who he thinks Poirier will face. “Justin Gaethje.”

    Shot-in-the-dark prediction, educated guess or a statement of fact? We’ll let you decide.

    Regardless, it would appear that Poirier’s mind is indeed made up and that his memorable championship clash with Makhachev won’t mark the final chapter in his story.

  • Justin Gaethje Lists Four Opponent Options For His UFC Return

    Former interim UFC lightweight champion and BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje is beginning to look ahead to his return fight.

    Gaethje entered 2024 riding high off the back of a memorable knockout victory over Dustin Poirier in Salt Lake City the previous July. The result saw the Arizona native avenge his 2018 loss to “The Diamond” and collect the symbolic BMF title in the process.

    Although he hoped to subsequently add the 155-pound crown to his trophy cabinet, Gaethje took a detour to put his BMF belt on the line opposite featherweight legend Max Holloway.

    But when the pair collided at the milestone UFC 300 event this past April, “The Highlight” was emphatically beaten, with “Blessed” following domination for the best part of five rounds with a vicious last-second KO.

    Gaethje has since been allowing himself the necessary time to recover and recuperate, but he’s now getting that ‘itch’. And while sidelined, the 35-year-old has compiled a group of names he thinks can help get him back to the top…

    Gaethje Open To Oliveira, Poirier Rematches Or Hooker, Volkanovski

    During a recent media scrum, Gaethje provided an update on his current status and plans to return to full-contact training following the scary knockout he suffered last time out.

    “The Highlight” acknowledged that he is raring to go and could be back in sparring by the end of October. With that, he’s looking ahead to his next matchup and has four names in mind for his pursuit of returning to the championship fray.

    “I said I was gonna take six months before I sparred. it’s been four, and I’m gonna have a difficult time making it to six months ’cause I’m itching,” Gaethje said. “I think I’m gonna give it another month before I spar and then get back into camp. So we’ll see.

    “There’s kind of like, another opportunity for somebody like how Dustin Poirier stepped in. There’s not a clear contender. Obviously I have to fight, but if I win, I’m right back in there,” Gaethje continued. “Dan Hooker (makes sense). I have a list. Hooker, (Charles) Oliveira, Poirier, and (Alexander) Volkanovski is a list of four people that I think — any of those would do for me what I need to do to get back in the picture.”

    Of note there is a possible trilogy fight with Poirier, against whom Gaethje has gone 1-1 inside the Octagon.

    That bout would appear to be on the table. Not only has “The Diamond” committed to one more fight following his title loss to Islam Makhachev this past June, but he’s also pointed to Gaethje as an opponent who would excite him enough.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Names 3 Opponent Options For Interim UFC Title Fight In Light Of Islam Makhachev Injury

    Arman Tsarukyan Names 3 Opponent Options For Interim UFC Title Fight In Light Of Islam Makhachev Injury

    Should his expected shot at Islam Makhachev’s UFC lightweight title be delayed until 2025, Arman Tsarukyan is open to facing another contender for interim status.

    Tsarukyan secured his first opportunity at gold on MMA’s biggest stage by recording his biggest win to date at the expense of former champion Charles Oliveira on the milestone UFC 300 card this past April.

    With the promotion always looking to have Makhachev defend his belt in Abu Dhabi, Tsarukyan was expected to challenge his former opponent in the main event of UFC 308 this coming October.

    Disaster stuck recently, however, after Makhachev suffered a severe hand injury that could leave him on the sidelines until late 2024 or even the next calendar year.

    While a patient wait until December would be welcomed by Tsarukyan, the top contender wouldn’t mind returning to action in the meantime should the latter of those two timelines come to fruition…

    Tsarukyan Open To Poirier, Gaethje, Chandler Matchups For Interim Title

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOpnuyF3ILM&pp=ygUQc3VibWlzc2lvbiByYWRpbw%3D%3D

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Tsarukyan provided an update on the status of his title shot following confirmation that Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway for the featherweight belt will instead top the UFC 308 lineup on Oct. 26.

    The Russian-Armenian acknowledged that he may need to wait until 2025 to compete with undisputed gold on the line. And if that’s the case, he’d be open to adding a second champ to the division by facing either Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, or Michael Chandler for an interim strap.

    “My manager told me I was gonna fight in October versus Islam, and then he said to UFC that he got injured. Now, they’ve moved that fight to December or maybe next year,” Tsarukyan said. “Of course it’s sad, because I already started training really hard and I’m in shape. … But it is what it is.

    “If it’s December, for me it doesn’t matter. I’m gonna wait and train as much as I can,” Tsarukyan continued. “If Islam can’t fight this year, for sure I would like to fight for the interim title, and it doesn’t matter who is gonna be in front of me. Dustin Poirier, he is a solid fighter and he has a lot of experience. Yeah, it would be great. Dustin, Gaethje — Michael Chandler as well.”

    During his rise up the lightweight ladder, Tsarukyan frequently accused the likes of Gaethje and Chandler of holding their top five positions hostage by not fighting up-and-comers.

    More recently, his focus has been on Chandler’s continued wait for Conor McGregor’s comeback, which was recently scrapped from the UFC 303 card in June due to an injury to the Irishman.

    With talk of Chandler finally moving on, perhaps the former three-time Bellator champ will be receptive to Tsarukyan’s interim title pitch.

  • Charles Oliveira Lists 8 Opponent Options For Fans To Choose From For His UFC Return: ‘Who Would You Like To See?’

    Charles Oliveira Lists 8 Opponent Options For Fans To Choose From For His UFC Return: ‘Who Would You Like To See?’

    Charles Oliveira lost a razor-close decision to Arman Tsarukyan last time out at UFC 300, and he’s now looking for a new opponent.

    With 19 post-fight bonuses, the Brazilian’s easily one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC and there are several intriguing matchups for him.

    Oliveira bagged the UFC lightweight championship by beating Michael Chandler in May 2021. He defended it against Dustin Poirier before being stripped after missing weight prior to his victory over Justin Gaethje.

    Since failing to regain the title in his clash with Islam Makhachev, he’s defeated Beneil Dariush and is looking for another high-profile win to get a another shot at the gold.

    From Makhachev to Colby Covington, here are all the fighters that Oliveira is open to facing in his UFC return…

    Oliveira Eyes Rematch Against Makhachev, Also Open To Money Fights With McGregor, Covington, Poirier

    Oliveira recently posted training footage on Instagram and asked his fans to choose his next opponent. He’s willing to fight the following names on the UFC roster:

    • Islam Makhachev
    • Arman Tsarukyan
    • Dustin Poirier
    • Conor McGregor
    • Max Holloway
    • Justin Gaethje
    • Alexander Volkanovski
    • Colby Covington

    Alongside the list, Oliveira declared his intention to fight shortly.

    “Who would you like to see me fight next? The Lion is ready!!”

    “Do Bronx” has already fought Tsarukyan, Makhachev, Poirier, Gaethje, and Holloway. While Makhachev submitted him in the second, he fought through adversity to beat “The Diamond” and “The Highlight.” The fight with Holloway ended due to the Brazilian sustaining a shoulder injury, and fans could look forward to seeing the rematch more than ever now.

    The other matchups on the list won’t necessarily move the needle in the UFC lightweight division. McGregor has lost three out of his last four fights and will most likely return to face Michael Chandler. Volkanovski, meanwhile, is 0-2 in the lightweight division and has yet to rematch Ilia Topuria for the UFC featherweight title.

    Covington is another opponent that “Do Bronx” would fight to entertain the fans. The former interim UFC welterweight champion decisively lost to Leon Edwards in his last fight and appears unlikely to fight for the title again.

    Regardless of the opponent, it is safe to assume that Oliveira will bring the fight to the Octagon and give fans another gritty performance.