Islam Makhachev's coach open to 'perfect matchup' Justin Gaethje next after UFC 313
Javier Mendez is not opposed to Justin Gaethje getting the next UFC lightweight title shot.
Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) called for a title shot after defeating Rafael Fiziev by unanimous decision in this past Saturday's UFC 313 co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Considering that UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) is yet to fight Gaethje, Mendez doesn't see why not. Ranked ahead of Gaethje are Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, both whom Makhachev already beat.
UFC CEO Dana White also seemed to be open to the idea of a Gaethje title shot.
"Fantastic. Then it's Justin Gaethje. We'll focus on Justin Gaethje," Mendez told Submission Radio. "That would be, ideally for us, the perfect matchup based on where his standing is and what he's done. He's a big, known guy and Islam hasn't fought him, So he's perfect."
The other option for Makhachev is Ilia Topuria, who vacated his featherweight title for a move up to 155 pounds. Makhachev previously said he wasn't interested in taking on another 145-pounder in Topuria, but Mendez says the champion will fight whoever the UFC offers,
"It's not important to me," Mendez said on who Makhachev fights next. "Let's focus on whoever the UFC decides because I'm not even going to talk about something that's not even there. What is there, is what Dana (White) talked about. So me, I'd rather focus on what Dana said."
Related
Arman Tsarukyan slams Justin Gaethje's UFC title shot request: 'You have to go through me first'
Jon Anik: Justin Gaethje 'absolutely' should fight UFC champion Islam Makhachev next
Video: Should Justin Gaethje get a title shot off his UFC 313 win?
Justin Gaethje not interested in Dustin Poirier trilogy, still aims for UFC lightweight title
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Islam Makhachev's coach open to 'perfect matchup' Justin Gaethje next after UFC 313
Topics
-
What's next for Justin Gaethje and other stars from UFC 313?
What lies ahead for Gaethje, Pereira and other big names from UFC 313?ESPN - 3d -
UFC 313 fight fall out: Next options for Alex Pereira, Magomed Ankalaev and Justin Gaethje after Saturday
The UFC would be wise to salvage what they can of Pereira's heavyweight runCBS Sports - 5d -
Michael Bisping: It would be a 'massive market opportunity lost' if Islam Makhachev doesn't fight Ilia Topuria
Michael Bisping thinks Ilia Topuria will get his wish to fight UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Although Makhachev doesn't like the idea of fighting another featherweight, Bisping thinks ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
UFC 313 predictions, best bets, odds: Main event prop, Justin Gaethje spread among top picks to consider
The main card offers an interesting mixed bag of options to look at for a wager or twoCBS Sports - 6d -
UFC 313 results, highlights: Justin Gaethje bounces back from brutal KO to beat Rafael Fiziev a second time
The two put on a similarly great performance in their rematch on Saturday nightCBS Sports - 5d -
Alex Pereira's coaches think he beat Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, promise 'Poatan 2.0' in rematch
Alex Pereira's coaches disagree with the UFC 313 decision. Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) lost his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) by unanimous decision in ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Chael Sonnen: 'The narrative that Alex Pereira can’t wrestle is over' after UFC 313
Chael Sonnen is still hopeful that Alex Pereira could pose Jon Jones problems after UFC 313. Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) lost his light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 ...Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Andrew Tate, social media influencer who faces trafficking charges, sits cageside for UFC 313
Former kickboxer and controversial internet personality Andrew Tate was cageside for UFC 313 inside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night, one night after attending Dana White’s Power Slap 12 at ...NBC News - 5d -
End is near: Pereira's UFC 313 loss felt like a funeral
Alex Pereira didn't get knocked out by Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, but there was a funeral-type feel to the end result.Yahoo Sports - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Alabama basketball is everything Kentucky wants to be — and will very soon | C.L. Brown
Mark Pope's Kentucky basketball team has been inconsistent this season, but the Wildcats aren't that far from returning to the top of nation's elite.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Love helps Arizona topple short-handed No. 9 Texas Tech 86-80 in Big 12 tourney semifinals
Caleb Love scored 27 points and Arizona took advantage of injuries that left Texas Tech short-handed for an 86-80 victory over the No. 9 Red Raiders in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals Friday ...Yahoo Sports - 13m -
The 3-pointer: Takeaways from No. 5 Alabama's win over No. 15 Kentucky
The Tide’s offense got going early, running effective half-court sets early to open Kentucky’s defense and go on a 3-point barrage in the second half. Alabama’s efficient offense was matched with ...Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Kentucky basketball can't hang with Alabama in SEC Tournament quarterfinal, awaits NCAA bid
Mark Pope's short-handed Kentucky basketball team was routed by Alabama on Friday in an SEC Tournament quarterfinal in Nashville.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Parker Kelly scores 2 as Avalanche beat Flames 4-2 to move to 7-0-1 in last 8 games
Parker Kelly scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Calgary Flames 4-2 on Friday night. Ryan Lindgren and Valeri Nichushkin also scored for Colorado, which has points in eight straight ...Yahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
Men's Bracketology: UNC is still in, plus more updates from a busy Friday
Despite UNC's loss to Duke, it remains in the bracket for now.ESPN - 7m -
Bulls banners 'Disturbed' during show; need fixes
All six Bulls championship banners were pulled from the rafters after being damaged Saturday night at a concert by Chicago area band Disturbed.ESPN - 7m -
Source: Kupp to join Seahawks on 3-year deal
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp has reached agreement on a three-year, $45 million contract with the Seahawks, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Friday.ESPN - 7m -
Thomas ties TPC record after 16-shot turnaround
Despite a bogey on 18, Justin Thomas fired a jaw-dropping 62 that tied the TPC Sawgrass record (Tom Hoge, 2023) and gave him a whopping 16-shot improvement over Thursday's 78.ESPN - 7m -
NWSL's BOS Nation to be renamed after backlash
Boston's 2026 NWSL franchise announced Friday that it will officially change its name following a highly-ridiculed launch last fall.ESPN - 7m