Justin Gaethje has made it crystal clear that he demands a UFC Lightweight Title shot next, and will not accept a fight with 155-pound contender Paddy Pimblett.
Neither Gaethje or Pimblett have their next fight booked as of yet, with a potential title shot looming for both men.
Justin Gaethje Refuses Paddy Pimblett Fight
As the #5 ranked UFC lightweight contender, Justin Gaethje feels like he has more than proved his worth in deserving a shot at the UFC Lightweight Title next.
‘The Highlight’ was snubbed of a 155-pound title shot with Charles Oliveira getting the nod instead to fight Ilia Topuria. That is despite Gaethje being 3-1 in his last four fights, as well as being one of MMA fans’ favourites fighters on the entire roster.
Now, the American has his sights firmly set on a lightweight title shot. However, there have been rumours that he may well be forced to fight another lightweight contender first in a final eliminator before getting that shot at UFC gold.
Paddy Pimblett, whose net worth has hit £4m, has been discussed as a potential opponent for Gaethje next, rather than a title shot.
Gaethje is at somewhat of a stalemate with Dana White and the UFC promotion right now, and has insisted that he will simply not take that fight. Not that he fears he will lose or anything, but that he first in line for a shot at Ilia Topuria’s 155-pound belt instead.
To most UFC fans, Gaethje vs Pimblett seems to make sense, but not for ‘The Highlight’ himself. Even if the potential Pimblett fight is a final eliminator, Gaethje insists it will push him over the edge and he simply will not accept it.
Gaethje: I Will ‘Absolutely Not’ Fight Pimblett Next
In a recent interview with ESPN MMA, Justin Gaethje, who continues to vent his frustration over UFC Lightweight Title snub, insists that he is fighting for the belt next or not fighting at all.
“Absolutely not” Gaethje said when asked whether he was open to fighting fellow lightweight contender Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett next rather than being granted a shot at the 155-pound title.
“If that’s the route that they want me to take, then I don’t believe that they need me anymore. I know that sounds petty or whatever, but I’m No. 3, I’m 3-1 in my last four, the champion [Islam Makhachev] was calling to fight me and he vacated.
“They bring a new guy in and give a guy who is 2-2 [Charles Oliveira] the fight. If their algorithm and their match tells them to just use me until I get beat, then I’m going to have to really re-evaluate what I’m doing here.
“I’ve signed up for a merit-based system. I have lived by that. If they want to give Arman, which Arman had the fight, then I had the fight and I took someone else. He had the fight and pulled out. Those are two different scenarios.
“For me to get put in the same position and fight for my spot, then I’m going to be upset about that,” Gaethje concluded.
Justin Gaethje Demands UFC Lightweight Title Shot vs Ilia Topuria
It is fairly obvious that Justin Gaethje will only be happy when he is granted the UFC Lightweight Title shot against Ilia Topuria.
That fight may well come next, but the likes of Arman Tsarukyan, Max Holloway, who is the reigning BMF Title holder with 26-8 record and Paddy Pimblett are also in a strong position for a shot at the 155-pound belt.
That being said, Gaethje is more than deserving of the next shot at UFC gold in the lightweight division. ‘The Highlight’ is on record saying he wants to knock Ilia Topuria out cold, despite many people feeling ‘El Matador’ is close to unbeatable.
Gaethje would be a huge underdog with UFC betting sites against Topuria, but everyone at 155-pounds would be. Ilia Topuria, who boasts a $2m+ net worth, is evidently the best lightweight in the world now that Islam Makhachev has moved up to welterweight.
Gaethje has more than earnt his shot at Topuria, but whether he is granted the opportunity or not remains to be seen. If not, Justin Gaethje’s time in the UFC could be limited as he refuses to fight anyone but Topuria for the UFC Lightweight Title next.
