Justin Gaethje (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

After Islam Makhachev stormed through Dan Hooker last month, Daniel Cormier pushed for his teammate’s title shot. But, now that Justin Gaethje has defeated Michael Chandler – in an instant classic – Cormier has changed gears.

Makhachev extended his winning streak to nine at UFC 267, by submitting Hooker in the opening after. After the win, Cormier made it clear he thought Makhachev should fight for the lightweight title next, regardless of what happened in Gaethje versus Chandler.

Gaethje, who didn’t care for Cormier’s assessment at the time, recorded a decision win over Chandler this past weekend at UFC 268. Since then, Cormier relayed via his YouTube channel , he thinks Gaethje has locked up a title shot (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“Chandler came out throwing everything with 100 percent power, but Gaethje was just there and landing, answering and just really doing his thing. That whole thing with Justin Gaethje last weekend, I said what I felt and he took offense. But all week, not one second was Justin Gaethje mad at me, upset or approached me in an angry way.

“He spoke about it in that moment, and you know what? Last night he went out there and did what he had to do in order to ensure that he keeps his championship fight, because he fought Michael Chandler and beat Michael Chandler – a very trained, well-prepared Michael Chandler. So hat’s off to Justin Gaethje, and honestly, I believe that he will be the guy to fight for the belt next.”

Cormier also reportedly noted that he believes Makhachev will need to record another win, before fighting for the lightweight belt.

At UFC 268, Gaethje was fighting for the first time since October 2020, when he was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov. Current lightweight champ, Charles Oliveira, is scheduled to fight Dustin Poirier at UFC 269, December 11.