Justin Gaethje has made it clear that he wants a lightweight title shot next.

Justin is fresh off a unanimous decision win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313, as he bounced back from his knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300. Despite that recent victory, the UFC chose to give the next title shot to Charles Oliveira, who was stopped by Ilia Topuria, the lightweight champion. That decision did not sit well with Gaethje’s team. His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, even hinted that Gaethje could retire if he’s passed over again for a title opportunity. Gaethje has since spoken out, shutting down rumors of a potential fight with Paddy Pimblett and reaffirming that his focus remains solely on the belt.

“Absolutely not (fighting Pimblett). If that’s the route that they want me to take, then I don’t believe that they need me anymore. I know that sounds petty or whatever, but I’m No. 3, I’m 3-1 in my last four, the champion (Islam Makhachev) was calling to fight me and he vacated. They bring a new guy in and give a guy who is 2-2 the fight. If their algorithm and their match tells them to just use me until I get beat, then I’m going to have to really reevaluate what I’m doing here. 

“I’ve signed up for a merit-based system. I have lived by that. If they want to give Arman, which Arman had the fight, then I had the fight and I took someone else. He had the fight and pulled out. Those are two different scenarios. For me to get put in the same position and fight for my spot, then I’m going to be upset about that,” Gaethje said