Dana White comments on Justin Gaethje getting the next UFC lightweight title shot: “It makes sense”
UFC president Dana White commented on Justin Gaethje getting the next UFC lightweight title shot, saying that “it makes sense.”
Gaethje defeated Michael Chandler via unanimous decision in the opening main card fight on the UFC 268 pay-per-view card. It was an absolutely amazing fight as both fighters stood in the center of the Octagon and traded shots back-and-forth for the full 15 minutes. It was one of the best fights of the year and the only way it would have been better had it been set for 25 minutes instead. Overall, it was an absolutely phenomenal fight by both and it could be the win Gaethje needed to get a title shot.
Speaking to the media following UFC 268, White was asked if Gaethje would be next in line to fight the winner of UFC 269’s Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier lightweight title fight. Although White stopped short of saying that he would be giving Gaethje the next title shot, the UFC boss hinted that it would be the next fight for Gaethje given that it “makes sense” based on the division’s rankings.
“It makes sense,” White said. “But we’ll see what happens. I don’t make fights the night of the fight.”
Gaethje is currently ranked at No. 2 overall in the UFC lightweight division, behind just the champion Oliveira and the No. 1 contender in Poirier, so it absolutely makes sense that he would be next in line for the belt. Both Islam Makhachev and Beneil Dariush both deserve to fight for the title, too, but at this point it seems likely that they will have to wait for Gaethje to get his title shot first.
Do you think Dana White should give Justin Gaethje the next UFC lightweight title shot, or do you think someone else such as Islam Makhachev or Beneil Dariush gets the title fight instead?
