Former UFC double champion Daniel Cormier believes Justin Gaethje could be next in line for a shot at lightweight gold — despite ongoing debate over contenders in the division.
Cormier shared his thoughts on the latest episode of Funky and the Champ, his podcast co-hosted with Ben Askren, where he laid out why Gaethje might be the frontrunner to face reigning champion Islam Makhachev in his next title defense.
Makhachev Eyes Next Opponent After UFC 311 Win
Islam Makhachev (27-1) remains a dominant force in the UFC’s lightweight division. In January, he defended his belt in dominant fashion against late replacement Renato Moicano at UFC 311, and attention now turns to who will challenge him next.
While Ilia Topuria, the undefeated Spanish-Georgian star, has been promised a shot at lightweight gold after vacating his featherweight title, Makhachev’s camp reportedly has reservations about that matchup.
Why Daniel Cormier Thinks Gaethje Makes Sense
Cormier says it’s Gaethje — not Topuria — who fits the bill for Makhachev’s next title defense.
I honestly believe that’s who is going to fight for the belt,” Cormier said. “If I’m team Makhachev, I’m asking for Justin Gaethje. That’s a big-name fight. He carries a lot of recognition.”
Gaethje (26-5) may have been knocked out by Max Holloway at UFC 300 in a stunning upset, but he returned strong at UFC 313 with a decision win over Rafael Fiziev, proving he’s still elite.
Askren Disagrees: Topuria Deserves It
Ben Askren wasn’t sold on Cormier’s reasoning. He pointed out that Topuria dominated Max Holloway, the same fighter who recently stopped Gaethje. That, to Askren, makes the case for Topuria far stronger.
“He lost to Holloway, and Topuria just put down Holloway in very impressive fashion,” Askren said. “I don’t even think it’s a hard argument. I think Topuria is by far the most compelling person.”
Cormier Pushes Back on Featherweight Connection
Cormier countered by noting Makhachev has already fought two former featherweight champs — Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski — and might not want another fight against someone moving up in weight.
But Askren pointed out that both Volkanovski and Holloway have proven they belong at lightweight, so their prior weight class shouldn’t disqualify Topuria from contention.
“Volkanovski had a very competitive bout with Makhachev,” Askren noted. “And Holloway just beat Gaethje at lightweight. That’s relevant.”
Who Really Deserves It?
The debate now centers on what matters more: name value or recent performance?
Gaethje is a fan-favorite and former interim champion with a long track record of thrilling fights.
Topuria is undefeated and has momentum, but lacks the same resume at 155 lbs.
With Makhachev seeking his fifth title defense, the UFC could go either way — choosing the money fight with Gaethje or betting on the future star power of Topuria.
What’s Next?
The UFC has yet to announce Makhachev’s next opponent, but as the debate rages on, both Gaethje and Topuria remain firmly in the title conversation.
And if Cormier is right, we could be in for a hard-hitting showdown between two of the division’s most exciting fighters.
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