UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping dropped a sharp take in a YouTube video posted on March 28, 2025, predicting Justin Gaethje might be next for lightweight champ Islam Makhachev. While Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira trade jabs online and both call out Makhachev, Bisping sees Gaethje, a fan-favorite brawler, slipping into the title shot. Gaethje last fought at UFC 313 in March 2025, knocking out Rafael Fiziev, and has never faced Makhachev, offering a fresh matchup. Makhachev, however, said Topuria needs a lightweight win first and brushed off an Oliveira rematch after dominating him in 2022, leaving the door open for Gaethje to step up.
Bisping Breaks It Down
“Now, Justin Gaethje hasn’t fought Islam Makhachev, so that would be a fresh title,” Bisping said. “I think we would all sign off on Justin Gaethje versus Islam Makhachev. So there’s Topuria being dismissive, there’s Oliveira talking sh*t. Topuria needs to prove himself apparently, according to the champ. Oliveira needs that last final fight to get over the hump to challenge for the belt and, in the meantime, you’ve got Justin Gaethje, a fan favorite, a company man that’s always putting on great fights.”
Bisping laid out the lightweight tangle. Makhachev, with four title defenses by January 2025, beat Oliveira via submission in 2022 and wants new opponents. Topuria, who vacated his featherweight belt in early 2025 to move up, is pushing for Makhachev but hasn’t fought at 155 pounds. Oliveira, ranked number two, also wants the champ despite their lopsided first fight.
Makhachev told ESPN in February 2025 that Topuria must earn a shot with a win, and he dismissed an Oliveira rematch, calling it one-sided. Gaethje, ranked third, waits with a knockout on his resume.
🚨| Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev 2 at #UFC313 has been awarded fight of the month for March.
Agree? 👇 pic.twitter.com/8Gudmlb4Ko
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) March 31, 2025
Gaethje’s Simple Strategy
“All Justin Gaethje’s got to do is stay nice and quiet,” Bisping added. “Let these two keep chatting it up, talking a bit of sh*t, and Justin Gaethje might just emerge out of this as the winner, as the guy that gets to go up against Islam Makhachev.”
Bisping’s strategy is straightforward. Topuria and Oliveira have been trading barbs on X since March 2025, both demanding Makhachev, who isn’t interested. Topuria’s lack of lightweight experience and Oliveira’s past loss could push them to face each other instead. Gaethje, with a pro record of 26 wins and 5 losses, brings his BMF title win over Dustin Poirier in 2023 and a fresh challenge for Makhachev. Bisping, a former champ turned analyst, thinks Gaethje’s patience could land him the title shot while the division sorts itself out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiY__ypKrnU&ab_channel=MichaelBisping
