Ali Abdelaziz, the person behind each Islam Makhachev and Justin Gaethje, took to X on Thursday to make a declaration that has set the record straight for those having questions surrounding the lightweight and welterweight title fights.
Justin Gaethje’s Path to Undisputed Gold
Abdelaziz left no room for interpretation when it got here to “The Highlight’s” immediate future. Gaethje, fresh off his dominant unanimous decision victory over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in January, is next in line for the undisputed lightweight championship — period.
Justin Gaethje Defeats Paddy The Baddy In A Slobberknocker Of A Primary Event https://t.co/AVLs9lOHY7 pic.twitter.com/dW6w0Jujo8
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 25, 2026
The 37-year-old reclaimed interim gold in what was the primary primary event of the Paramount+ era, and his manager is ensuring the UFC brass knows there’s just one fight that is smart next.
“Simply to be clear, @Justin_Gaethje is fighting next for the undisputed Lightweight title and if Topuria doesn’t want then Justin will fight for the undisputed title against whoever is next,” Abdelaziz wrote.
Simply to be clear @Justin_Gaethje is fighting next for the undisputed Lightweight title and if Topuria doesn’t want then Justin will fight for the undisputed title against whoever is next, and if Islam wants to provide Topuria this ass whooping then he can be the one who will select…
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) February 14, 2026
That last part is vital. Abdelaziz is not banking on Ilia Topuria accepting the fight — he’s making it clear that Gaethje gets a title shot no matter who’s across the cage. If Topuria, the undefeated undisputed lightweight champion sitting at 17-0, declines, the UFC will need to search out one other opponent or potentially strip the belt. Gaethje himself has been vocal about wanting to headline the historic UFC White House card on June 14, a once-in-a-lifetime event on the South Lawn that Dana White has called “essentially the most watched UFC event ever”.
Islam Makhachev’s First Title Defense
Despite speculation linking the Dagestani grappler to a superfight with Topuria, Abdelaziz shut the door on that being next. Makhachev’s next fight, he confirmed, can be against “an actual welterweight”.
Makhachev captured the welterweight title with a commanding unanimous decision over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last November. Since then, a line of legitimate 170-pound contenders has formed, including Ian Machado Garry, who has reportedly already begun camp, together with Carlos Prates, Michael Morales and naturally the previous welterweight champion Kamaru Usman still in the combination. Any of those matchups would test Makhachev against a fighter who naturally carries welterweight size — unlike Topuria, who could be moving up from 155 kilos.
Makhachev himself recently expressed openness to facing Topuria, telling Telegraf, “I like this concept. If the UFC wants this fight, I do know a variety of MMA fans want this fight, I’m ready”. But Abdelaziz made it clear that if the superfight happens, it’ll be on Makhachev’s terms and timeline — not Topuria’s.
Islam Makhachev says he’s ready for a superfight with Ilia Topuria 🔥 pic.twitter.com/boqg7FFNfJ
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) February 11, 2026
There is a chess match happening behind the scenes that should not be ignored. Abdelaziz manages each Gaethje and Makhachev. Gaethje gets the lightweight title unification he’s earned, and Makhachev defends his welterweight title against a legitimate 170-pounder. With Ramadan starting February 17 and lasting through mid-March, Makhachev won’t begin training camp until late March on the earliest, giving the UFC time to formalize matchups for the June 14 White House card.