Justin Gaethje, despite not holding the lightweight title, finds himself in a unique position as a top contender in the UFC. After defeating Dustin Poirier and earning the BMF title, Gaethje potentially solidified himself as the next in line for the undisputed UFC lightweight gold. While UFC star Conor McGregor expressed interest in fighting Gaethje, there are obstacles that may prevent the matchup. Gaethje also mentioned the possibility of facing the winner of the Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira fight. Gaethje is not interested in an immediate rematch with Poirier, leaving the decision in Poirier’s hands. Gaethje, known for his exciting fights, has won back-to-back matches and has earned 12 performance bonuses in 12 promotional appearances. Nolan King and Ken Hathaway reported

Justin Gaethje may hold more cards than top contenders despite not holding the lightweight title

SALT LAKE CITY – Justin Gaethje finds himself in an unusual position where he may hold more cards than most top contenders in the lightweight division. Despite not holding the title, Gaethje’s recent victory has potentially solidified him as the next in line for the undisputed UFC lightweight gold.

Gaethje’s journey took him through unimaginable frames of life that would have been inconceivable decades ago. Reflecting on his remarkable journey, Gaethje expressed his gratitude for the life he’s living. He stated, “This is such a cool life. I couldn’t imagine I’d be here as a child. I thank God every day for this.”

In the main event of UFC 291 in Salt Lake City, Gaethje faced Dustin Poirier in a highly anticipated rematch. Gaethje emerged victorious with a knockout, avenging his loss from April 2018 and earning the promotion’s BMF (Baddest Motherf****r) title.

Following his impressive win, Gaethje weighed in on the options in front of him. One intriguing possibility is a matchup with UFC star Conor McGregor, who expressed interest in Gaethje on Twitter. However, Gaethje acknowledged the obstacles in making this fight happen, revealing that McGregor has turned him down multiple times in the past. Gaethje emphasized his commitment to clean sport, stating, “I’m not going to fight someone on steroids. I’ve never taken steroids in my life and never will.”

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If a fight with McGregor doesn’t materialize, Gaethje’s next challenge could come from the winner of the Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira title fight scheduled for UFC 294 in October. Gaethje defers to the matchmakers when it comes to booking fights and expressed his disinterest in being a backup option.

While Gaethje’s rivalry with Poirier stands at 1-1, he shot down the idea of an immediate rematch. Gaethje believes that the decision to pursue a trilogy fight lies in Poirier’s hands. Gaethje stated, “I would never deny him that opportunity, just like he would never deny me the opportunity. I don’t want it to be my next fight.”

At 34 years old, Gaethje has been on a winning streak, securing back-to-back victories. His impressive performances have earned him 12 performance bonuses in his 12 promotional appearances, a remarkable accomplishment.

Overall, Gaethje’s recent triumph has put him in a unique position within the lightweight division. While he may not hold the title, he holds the potential for big fights and exciting opportunities. Gaethje’s future in the UFC remains uncertain, but his remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring fighters.

Original story appeared on MMA Junkie.