Discover who could be the next opponent for UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev in his upcoming title defense. Will it be Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, or Arman Tsarukyan? Find out the latest updates and opinions on the lightweight division.
| Opponent Options for Makhachev’s Next Title Defense |
|---|
| Charles Oliveira |
| Justin Gaethje |
| Arman Tsarukyan |
The lightweight division is buzzing with speculation about who will challenge Islam Makhachev for his title. While Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and Arman Tsarukyan are all potential contenders, there are differing opinions on the order of their chances. Michael Chiesa believes that Gaethje deserves the next shot, while Oliveira should face Tsarukyan in a title eliminator. The debate continues until an official opponent is confirmed.
The Future of Islam Makhachev’s Lightweight Title Defense
UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev is preparing for his next title defense, and he has plenty of options to choose from. After successfully defending his belt against Alexander Volkanovski twice this year, Makhachev has outlined his plans to retain the gold in three matchups throughout 2024. The potential contenders for his next fight include Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and Arman Tsarukyan. The question on everyone’s mind is, who will be the first challenger?
While Tsarukyan made a strong case for himself with a brutal knockout victory over Beneil Dariush at a recent UFC Fight Night event, he is still expected to be behind Oliveira and Gaethje in the pecking order. Oliveira, who was supposed to have a rematch with Makhachev this year, is considered the frontrunner due to his previous booking with the champion. However, there are differing opinions on whether Oliveira should still be in contention.
Michael Chiesa, a ranked welterweight veteran, shared his thoughts on the lightweight division during an episode of the Believe You Me podcast with Michael Bisping. Chiesa believes that Gaethje’s ‘BMF’ title win over Dustin Poirier should earn him the next shot at Makhachev, while Oliveira should face Tsarukyan in a title eliminator. Chiesa argues that Oliveira’s withdrawal from UFC 294 due to a cut should push him to the back of the line.
Chiesa suggests that the next fight should be Gaethje versus Makhachev, with Oliveira taking on Tsarukyan on the same card. This arrangement would make sense and determine the rightful challenger for Makhachev’s belt. However, the debate will continue until an official opponent is confirmed.
Despite the ongoing speculation, Makhachev remains unfazed. He recently took to social media to welcome all challenges and confidently stated that none of the top five fighters in the division stand a chance of taking his belt.
