“Waiting for the call. Dana White, UFC, I’m ready. Let’s see whose head kick is better. Islam, Charles had his chance and he didn’t come out for the rematch. That’s how things are,” the American fighter wrote on social media, addressing UFC management and a potential opponent.
Justin Gaethje, 35, is riding a two-fight win streak, having won by majority decision over Rafael Fiziev and knocking out Dustin Puryear in a contender’s bout.
Islam Makhachev, 32, who won the vacant UFC lightweight championship belt last October against Charles Oliveira, has defended the title twice this year, winning a unanimous decision over Alexander Volkanovski and then knocking out the Australian in a rematch. In his last fight, which took place Oct. 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, Volkanovski replaced Charles Oliveira, who withdrew from the fight due to a serious dissection, on short notice.
According to the Russian fighter, he plans to fight next on March 9 at UFC 299 in Miami.