Daniel Cormier thinks he will fight Justin Gesche UFC champion Islam Makachev

Daniel Cormier sees Justin Gesche slip into the title photo of the UFC.

Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) is preparing for the next title defense after a quick work on the short-term Renato Moicano at UFC 311 in January.

Ilia Topuria says she was promised an immediate lightweight title shot after she left the featherweight title, but she had a pushback from Makhachev’s team. So Cormier believes Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) will win the title shot.

“To be honest, I believe it will fight for the belt, and I believe it will become Justin Gösche,” Colmier said with Ben Askren on his “Funky and the Champion” show. “If I’m Team Makhachev, it’s a big fight and it’s the guy who has the recognition of a lot of names, and if I’m honest with you, then I think it’s going to be a fight.”

Ben Askren finds it difficult to assert Gaethje, who was knocked out by former featherweight champion Max Holloway in the UFC 300, but he rebelled after deciding on Rafael Fizeiv at UFC 313.

“He lost to Holloway and Topria just put Holloway in a very impressive way,” Asperen said of Gettege. “I don’t even think that’s a difficult argument. I think Topria is a much more persuasive person.”

Kolmier’s argument against Makhachev is that two of his four title defenses appeared in former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovsky, and that he doesn’t want to go that path again. Askren explained why he didn’t consider Cormier’s argument to be valid.

“These two featherweights, Holloway, have had a very recent victory over Justin Geshe in Lightweight. Askren said, “And Volkanovski had a very competitive match against Islamic Makhachev.