Khabib Nurmagodeov tells Justin Gaethje to ‘SHUT UP’ and accept that Islam Makhachev deserves a shot at the lightweight title as UFC legend hits out at former rival
- Khabib Nurmagomedov has told Justin Gaethje to ‘shut up’ amid title claims
- Gaethje, 32, says he will ‘riot’ if he is not given a shot at the lightweight title next
- However, Nurmagomedov says team-mate Islam Makhachev is more deserving
- Makhachev is undefeated in his last nine fights and beat Dan Hooker last month
Khabib Nurmagomedov has blasted Justin Gaethje over the American’s demands for a title shot, telling his former rival to ‘shut up and accept’ that Islam Makhachev is more deserving of a tilt at the lightweight throne.
Gaethje, 32, defeated Michael Chandler in a thrilling UFC 268 contest last weekend to move a step closer to a shot at the 155-pound belt.
The Highlight said he would ‘riot’ if he was not guaranteed a fight with the winner of Charles Oliveira v Dustin Poirier next, insisting that he has earned a championship fight over his lightweight rivals.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has told Justin Gaethje to ‘shut up’ amid his lightweight title claims
Gaethje, 32, says he will ‘riot’ if he doesn’t get given the shot after beating Michael Chandler
Yet Nurmagomedov believes that his Eagles MMA team-mate Makhachev is more deserving of the shot. The Dagestani, 30, has won his last nine fights and impressed at UFC 267 after submitting Dan Hooker in the first round.
As a result, the former lightweight king has told Gaethje to ‘shut up’ and accept that it is Makhachev’s turn to challenge for the title.
‘In last 8 fight, you got finished 3 times Justin,’ he wrote on Instagram. ‘You had an opportunity to become champion, but you fell asleep. Islam is on the 9 win streak, 3 fight in 2021 and all finishes.
‘Just shut up and admit that Islam deserves this title shot, not you.’
However, Nurmagomedov claims that Islam Makhachev is more deserving of the title shot
The former lightweight king set out Gaethje’s recent record against his fellow countryman
As it stands, Gaethje is in pole position to take on the winner of Oliveira v Poirier next, with UFC chief Dana White hinting that Makhachev needs one more win against a top five fighter before getting his shot at the title.
After his win over Hooker, Makhachev said that it was time for the ‘old guys’ to step aside and allow him to begin his reign over the lightweights.
‘Before it was top 11, top 15, this guy is top 6, now we have to talk,’ he said in the Octagon.
‘Nine fight win streak, I am ready for title fight. Anyone, it doesn’t matter. This division now, little bit sleep now it’s my time to work this division,’ he said after his victory.
‘These are all old guys [Gaethje and Chandler], they have fought for the title many times, they fight for business. I am here to keep this belt for many years.’
The Dagestani has won his last nine fights and is on the cusp of a tilt at the 155-pound belt