Justin Gaethje was reportedly “pissed” after being passed up for a lightweight title fight with Ilia Topuria.
Immediately after announcing that Islam Makhachev had vacated his 155-pound belt to move up and challenge newly minted welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena, Dana White revealed that former featherweight king Ilia Topuria would fight Charles Oliviera at UFC 317 on June 29, the winner leaving Las Vegas as the next lightweight world titleholder.
After winning three straight in his division, including a pair of victories over Rafael Fiziev, Gaethje figured he was the next man in line for a shot at the gold.