Makhachev targeting Gaethje before Oliveira-Tsarukyan winner

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev doesn't seem to be on the same page as UFC CEO Dana White.

Makhachev tweeted Wednesday morning he wants to defend the lightweight title against BMF champ Justin Gaethje next despite White declaring the UFC 300 matchup between Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan a No. 1 contender bout earlier this week.

Makhachev laid out a plan for his next three fights over 13 months, which includes fighting Gaethje in June and then the Oliveira-Tsarukyan winner at Madison Square Garden in November.

Makhachev had initially wanted to return to action in March prior to observing Ramadan, which lasts from March 10 to April 9 and often shelves the Russian for several months.

But White said Sunday that Makhachev is recovering from an injury and that he'll defend against the Oliveira-Tsarukyan winner when he comes back this summer. It's unclear what injury Makhachev is apparently dealing with. The fight between Oliveira and Tsarukyan is scheduled for April 13.

The 155-pound champion was scheduled to face former champion Oliveira for the second time at UFC 294 last October, but Oliveira withdrew from the fight due to an injury. Makhachev went on to knock out featherweight titleholder Alexander Volkanovski in a rematch.