Islam Makhachev explains why Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway at UFC 300 is a “useless fight”

Islam Makhachev is explaining why Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway at UFC 300 is a ‘useless fight’.

The historic UFC 300 takes place on Saturday, April 13th at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

The main card will feature Justin Gaethje (25-4 MMA) going up against former featherweight champion Max Holloway (25-7 MMA) in a lightweight bout for the BMF title.

It was expected that UFC lightweight champion Makhachev, in his next title defense, would go up against Gaethje, but instead ‘The Highlight‘ was booked to fight ‘Blessed’ at UFC 300.

Speaking with ‘MMA Junkie‘, Islam Makhachev shared why he’s less than impressed with what he terms a ‘useless’ fight for a ‘useless belt’:

“I don’t want to make people upset, but this is a useless fight for a useless belt. Nobody gains anything from this fight. I have three guys: (Arman) Tsarukyan, (Charles) Oliveira, and Gaethje, but Tsarukyan and Oliveira – I beat them already. But I have Gaethje – he deserves to fight for the title now. This is a good time for him.”

The Dagestan doubled down on what he deems is a ‘nothing fight’:

“He showed a good performance in the last two fights. For Holloway, he already has a new champion (at featherweight), and he can fight now with (Ilia) Topuria. But they put (Gaethje and Holloway) against each other. I don’t know. This fight for me, it’s nothing. For the fans, it’s going to be a good fight. They both like to give damage, like to fight, like to box always. But for me, and for the (lightweight) division, the fight means nothing.”

Concluding, Islam Makhachev said:

“Can you imagine if Gaethje loses? If Gaethje loses, he loses everything – his chance. I don’t know when he’s going to fight for the title again. If Holloway loses, who will fight with Topuria? … If they put me vs. Gaethje and Holloway vs. Topuria, it’s good for the UFC, for both divisions. But right now, in my opinion, it’s a useless fight.”

Do you agree with Islam Makhachev’s analogy concerning the Gaethje vs. Holloway fight?

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