Saving UFC 317, Daniel Cormier Ends Dana White and Islam Makhachev’s Dilemma With Ex-Interim Champ

When Ilia Topuria vacated his featherweight crown to storm into the lightweight division, fans thought he was bluffing. But ‘La Leyenda’ was dead serious. Since the jump, he’s been gunning for Islam Makhachev and the UFC’s top brass. Why? “The UFC promised me I’d fight for the belt. That’s why I vacated it. And they’ve always kept their promise,” Topuria revealed. But there’s a roadblock—Team Khabib wants him to prove his worth against a ranked lightweight first. Fair ask. The problem is, none of the top contenders want to risk facing the undefeated former champ, and the lightweight division is starting to stagnate. So, what’s next? Daniel Cormier thinks he has the solution—one that could involve fan-favorite brawler Justin Gaethje.

The former ‘BMF’ belt holder appears to be the key to unlocking the lightweight division’s deadlock, at least according to Daniel Cormier. Justin Gaethje has already fought for the title twice: once against Khabib Nurmagomedov and once against Charles Oliveira, and on both occasions, he came up short. However, ‘The Highlight’ believes that he could navigate across Islam Makhachev’s gameplay. As the entire lightweight division faces a serious drought, Cormier has asserted that Justin Gaethje should be the one to get the title shot.

While having a conversation on his YouTube handle, the former UFC dual-weight champion has asserted that if not Ilia Topuria then Justin Gaethje is the answer, “For me, it’s this—I think it’s Gaethje. I think that makes a ton of sense to me because Gaethje is that big name. And if Justin Gaethje fights Islam Makhachev for the championship, that’s it if he loses.”

He further added, “So many guys have had their chances. Dustin Poirier has fought for the belt against Khabib. Dustin Poirier fought for the belt against Charles Oliveira. Dustin Poirier fought for the belt against Islam Makhachev. Justin Gaethje fought for the belt against Charles Oliveira. Justin Gaethje fought for the belt against Khabib. Justin Gaethje might fight for the belt against Islam Makhachev.”

MMA: UFC 291 – Poirier vs Gaethje Jul 29, 2023 Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Justin Gaethje blue gloves reacts to defeating Dustin Poirier red gloves during UFC 291 at Delta Center. Salt Lake City Delta Center Utah USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJeffxSwingerx 20230729_szo_si8_0367

The 26-5 fighter recently pulled off a victory against Rafael Fiziev, and he believes this win might earn him a shot at Islam Makhachev. Why? Because, according to him, Dustin Poirier got a title opportunity after defeating Benoît Saint-Denis, even though he had previously lost to Justin Gaethje. By this logic, he should also get the title shot. Fair point from ‘The Highlight’, but the decision remains in the hands of Team Khabib.

There is another factor to this equation as well. Last year, there were rumours that Justin Gaethje would be fighting Islam Makhachev before Dustin Poirier, and guess who spread this? Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both Gaethje and Makhachev. The existence of a common manager has increased the chances of a clash between ‘The Highlight’ and the Dagestani. Daniel Cormier might want to witness their clash, but Islam Makhachev is looking to jump divisions, and this might prove harsh for him, according to Bo Nickal.

Islam Makhachev vs. Justin Gaethje faces a roadblock

Islam Makhachev has already etched his name in the annals of history, but he wants something more—something even his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, never achieved: a second title. It’s no secret that the Dagestani is waiting for the outcome of Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 before announcing his next fight. Why? Because he wants to fight for the second title, and if Muhammad loses, it opens the doors for him. However, Bo Nickal thinks this is a bad idea.

While having a conversation with ‘The Schmo, ‘ the undefeated middleweight prospect has added, “That’s a big jump. I think that right now, I would love to see a fight between him and Topuria. I don’t know what the match-ups are gonna look like with Topuria moving up to 155, but I would love to see Ilia and Islam match up there. I think it would be a super fan-friendly fight, and you pick two guys in my mind are probably top three, if not top five, like pound-for-pound best guys out there right now. So, I think this is a fight that should happen in my mind.”

Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev oozes the same aura as Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor. Many within the community are even saying that this is the closest we get to a rematch between their predecessors. If the UFC manages to make this fight happen, both the revenue and pay-per-view numbers will skyrocket — but all of it hinges on one factor: Team Khabib.

With uncertainty looming across the lightweight division, what are your thoughts on the fate of it? State your opinions in the comments below.

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