Khabib to Gaethje: 'Shut up' about title shot
Khabib Nurmagomedov is sick of hearing Justin Gaethje talk about why he should be next in line for a shot at the UFC lightweight title.
The former champion said Thursday in an Instagram comment that Islam Makhachev, Nurmagomedov's teammate, is most deserving of a fight against the winner of the Dec. 11 title bout between Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier.
"In (your) last eight fights, you got finished three times, Justin," wrote Nurmagomedov, who submitted Gaethje in an October 2020 title defense before retiring from mixed martial arts. "You had an opportunity to become champion, but you fell asleep.
"Islam is on the nine-(fight) win streak, three fights in 2021, and all finishes. Just shut up and admit that Islam deserves this title shot, not you."
Gaethje and Makhachev - the No. 2- and No. 4-ranked lightweights, respectively - are both coming off big wins in recent weeks. Gaethje earned a unanimous decision over Michael Chandler in a "Fight of the Year" candidate at UFC 268 on Nov. 6, while Makhachev submitted Dan Hooker in the first round at UFC 267 on Oct. 30.
Gaethje said before the Chandler fight that he'd "riot" if someone else got the next title shot, and he doubled down on his belief that he's the rightful challenger afterward.
Makhachev also called for a title shot following his win over Hooker.