After Jack Della Maddalena captured the Welterweight title at UFC 315, the title equation in the Lightweight division became clear. Ilia Topuria, who relinquished the Featherweight title to climb the weight ladder, will lock horns with the division's former king Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. The winner will claim the vacant title. While the fight has left fans all over the world stoked, it is not fancied by a former interim lightweight champion.
Jon Anik Reveals Justin Gaethje's Reaction After the Announcement of Topuria vs Oliveira
Famed UFC commentator Jon Anik has revealed that Justin Gaethje was immensely livid after Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira was announced. The fight materialised after Islam Makhachev vacated the lightweight strap to explore the challenge in the welterweight division. The Pound-For-Pound No.1 is set to face JDM next. While these bouts make all the sense in the world, there always comes a grievance from somewhere, and it is Justin Gaethje, who has voiced his disappointment over being left out.
"He was p****d," Anik said on The Anik and Florian Podcast. "He feels like certainly he was passed over in favour of Charles Oliveira for this opportunity against Ilia Topuria. I think what Justin Gaethje and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, are looking for is just some sort of guarantee that they will be next. Because it's 19 May, and the good news for this Topuria-Oliveira fight is that it's f******g 28 June – it's less than six weeks away.
"So, I don't think it's a mad request for Justin, having done what he did against Rafael Fiziev: staying on the fight card, not fighting Dan Hooker, getting a win, distance from the UFC 300 result." Anik was referring to Gaethje's victory over Fiziev earlier this year - a bout that saw the 'Highlight' compete following Dan Hooker's withdrawal. The American returned to winning ways after a crushing last-minute knockout loss to Max Holloway.
Given the fact that Justin Gaethje has been hovering over the title scene following his win over Rafael Fiziev, his reaction is somewhat justified. However, it does not mean that Topuria vs Oliviera should not stand. Both are deserved contenders, and the eventual winner may face Justin Gaethje in future.