Islam Makhachev resounding betting favorite to beat Justin Gaethe in future UFC title fight

While sidelined through an undisclosed injury, Islam Makhachev still remains a sizeable betting favorite to beat incoming UFC 300 feature, symbolic BMF titleholder, Justin Gaethje in a potential future bout – as the former interim gold holder prepares to defend that status against Max Holloway in April.

While sidelined through an undisclosed injury, Islam Makhachev still remains a sizeable betting favorite to beat incoming UFC 300 feature, symbolic BMF titleholder, Justin Gaethje in a potential future bout – as the former interim gold holder prepares to defend that status against Max Holloway in April.

Makhachev, a dominant force atop the lightweight pile, currently holds the moniker as the pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter under the banner of the UFC, most recently featured in the main event of a flagship event back in October. Headlining UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Makahchev laid final waste to incumbent featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s short-notice title rematch, dispatching the Australian with a stunning first round high-kick and strikes KO win.

And whilst sidelined through an injury setback, odds of a staggering -600 are available on betting favorite, Islam Makhachev to beat the +425 betting underdog, Justin Gaethje in a potential future lightweight title affair.

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Riding an impressive two-fight winning run as champion, which includes an initial decision win over Volkanovski and then a rematch knockout success, Makhachev’s streak since a 2015 knockout loss to Adriano Martins has spanned a dazzling 13 separate Octagon walks.

As for Gaethje, the fan-favorite chaos fighter turned in a remarkable rematch win over fellow former interim champion, Dustin Poirier back in July at UFC 291 – in the pair’s symbolic BMF title meeting. 

Stopping the Lafayette native in the second round, Gaethje sprung with a spectacular high-kick – completely disguised, sending Poirier to the canvas in shocking fashion – as part of a devastating walk-off knockout win.

And despite appearing poised to compete for undisputed lightweight gold for the second time in his Octagon stint in the form of a fight against Makhachev, Gaethje has instead been booked for a main card BMF title defense against featherweight icon, Holloway.

Reacting to the confirmation of his much-anticipated fight with Hawaiian favorite, Holloway, Gaethje appeared surprised at the creation of the bout – which the former had tirelessly campaigned for since the end of last summer.

“I kind of talked it into existence on accident,” Justin Gaethje told Kevin Iole of his UFC 300 fight with Max Holloway. “I said, ‘I didn’t want to punch Max Holloway, but he’s also a guy that could fight for a BMF belt.’ That turns out into going to be having to punch Max Holloway. It’s the name of the game, and I am the best in the world at creating damage.”

“The last two fights [against Dustin Poirier and Rafael Fiziev], I have been very tactical and very, very, very methodical in my approach,” Gaethje explained. “I think that obviously I’m going to continue to do that, and if I can do that, then it’s going to be very hard for Max to overwhelm me and put me in positions where I shouldn’t be.” 

And in the aftermath of his title fight win over Volkanovski in the final quarter of last year, Makhachev – who appeared primed to rematch former champion, Brazilian favorite, Charles Oliveira – who also features at UFC 300 in an officially-billed title-eliminator, name-dropped Gaethje for a potential fight for ultimate lightweight supremacy. 

Following his interim title success in 2020 against former champion, Tony Ferguson, Gaethje battled Makhachev’s coach and training partner, Khabib Nurmagomedov, dropping a second round triangle choke technical submission loss in the pair’s title unification showcase.