UFC President Dana White has been steadily building the organization’s marquee event, UFC 300, and has taken to socials over the past couple of weeks announcing fights. One of the announcements took everybody by surprise. Justin Gaethje, despite being in many peoples eyes the number one contender for the lightweight belt, will defend his BMF title against Max Holloway.
UFC 300 will be just the third time the BMF title has been on the line. The belt was born during the UFC 244 press conference as Dana White announced the fight between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz would be for the new title. At Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 3rd, 2019, Masvidal defeated Diaz via doctor stoppage to become the UFC’s first-ever BMF champion.
With Masvidal retiring from mixed martial arts, the BMF title became vacant. The belt wasn’t contested again until July 29, 2023, as Justin Gaethje knocked out Dustin Poirier with a sublime head kick in the second round at UFC 291. Now, Justin Gaethje becomes the first man to defend the BMF title at UFC 300, and it’s a fight that will have fans on the edge of their seat from the opening bell.
Gaethje planned on biding his time for a lightweight title shot against Islam Makhachev, telling ESPN’s Marc Raimondi in October of 2023: “Who do I fight?” There’s no one. I did what I had to do. I don’t know what else I need to do.”
Shortly after Gaethje’s comments, Holloway took to social media to offer himself as an opponent, tweeting: ”If you change your mind brother, how about one for the fans?”
The pair have known each other since 2012, when Gaethje offered to drive Max Holloway around Denver as he prepared for his fight with Justin Lawrence. They’ve been cordial ever since, which initially meant a reluctance from Gaethje to fight Holloway.
When asked about potentially fighting Holloway, Gaethje wasn’t entirely sold on the idea and said that he doesn’t want to fight Holloway due to liking him too much: ”I don’t ever want to fight Holloway. I don’t know, I just don’t ever, I don’t want to punch him. Well, I just don’t, it’s not necessary. I like him too much, I like him. He’s a good dude. I don’t know him personally, but I’m a fan of his, I don’t prefer to punch him. But, if I have to I would I guess.”
Three months after these comments, Gaethje vs. Holloway has been signed. The announcement has been received well by fans, and it’s easy to see why. Their body of work speaks for itself; neither man is ever involved in dull fights. Despite Gaethje and Holloway having a lot of respect for each other, the fight at UFC 300 has all the potential to be a fight-of-the-year contender.
Who do you think will win the fight? Will Gaethje become the first man to retain the BMF title, or will we see a new champion?
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