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Justin Gaethje is set to make some more history at UFC 300.

Few fighters, if any, fit the bill of a BMF more than the human “Highlight.” Therefore, it’s perfect that Gaethje will be the first fighter to defend the UFC’s BMF title on the big UFC 300 stage when he fights Max Holloway inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Saturday.

The inaugural BMF title led to an undisputed title shot for the then-top welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal in July 2020. Four years later, the same expectation fell upon the 35-year-old Gaethje, who knocked out Dustin Poirier with a redemptive head kick to become the title holder at UFC 291 in July 2023. However, the stars didn’t align for a matchup between the current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, and the division’s constant violence provider.

Timing may lead to a path for Poirier before all others attempt to dethrone Makhachev. “Annoyed,” Gaethje now expects he won’t be next for Makhachev no matter what happens on Saturday.

“Ideally, they’re calling this [Charles] Oliveira-[Arman] Tsarukyan fight a title eliminator, so the winner of that fight fights [Makhachev] in June, then I fight the winner of that in preferably Madison Square Garden in November,” Gaethje told MMA Junkie. “That sounds like a perfect timeline for me. I’ll definitely have my time to rest, recover, and retrain myself to get ready for that fight.

“That’s the perfect situation for me. We’ll see if Oliveira s**** the bed again. I think if Tsarukyan wins he takes it because they are calling this a title eliminator, so whoever wins is going to have to fight that fight.”

Gaethje’s win over Poirier put him back on a winning streak after a majority decision over Rafael Fiziev the previous March. That alone had the Tucson, Ariz., native in line for his potential third crack at undisputed UFC gold. Instead, the BMF bout came along and Oliveira’s injury ahead of his Makhachev rematch at UFC 294 in October resulted in an Alexander Volkanovski fill-in.

According to Gaethje, there wasn’t any plan or discussions for the title clash in early 2024 as hoped. Without explanation as to why, Gaethje continues to control what he can, and that’s racking up wins against big names, like the former featherweight champion Holloway.

“I think if you appreciate the way that this sport works, I fought Fiziev, I knocked out the No. 2 guy (Poirier) and there’s nobody left,” Gaethje said. “Oliveira was supposed to fight him in October. I was supposed to fight the winner of that fight in February. But it did not work out like that so this is where we’re at, and this is what I have to take care of.”

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Roundtable. What UFC 300 fight has you most hyped?

Trouble. Police: Jon Jones claims drug-testing agent ‘fabricated a story,’ was upset he used profanity

Contention. Charles Oliveira fires back at Arman Tsarukyan’s ‘bulls***’ talk: ‘I’m the No. 1 in this division’

Matchup. Matt Brown argues for Dustin Poirier title shot against Islam Makhachev: ‘Anything he wants, he should get’

Preparation. Jamahal Hill went to Israel Adesanya for advice ahead of Alex Pereira fight at UFC 300

Multi-Talented. Sodiq Yusuff explains how he ended up on a Disney show

Support. Johnny Walker questions judging of brother Valter’s UFC Vegas 90 loss: ‘I didn’t understand’

Beef. Brendan Allen shrugs off criticism from ‘irrelevant’ Marvin Vettori

Injury. Chris Curtis likely suffered torn hamstring in final exchange at UFC Vegas 90

$$$. UFC Vegas 90 post-fight bonuses: Chepe Mariscal, Morgan Charriere steal the show with Fight of the Night win

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MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz chats with Charles Oliveira.

MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with Michael Bisping.

MMA Fighting’s 10 Best UFC Fights Since UFC 200.

Pereira vs. Hill preview.

Justin Gaethje BMF resume.

UFC Connected: Harrison, Miller, Oliveira, Garbrandt.

The PFL San Antonio finishes.

PFL Fight Camps.

Invicta 3 KOs.

Holloway’s Road to UFC 300.

One week out.

UFC 300 Fighters Funniest Moments.

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MGMT for your soul.

Your wake-up call courtesy of Morning Report reader Exodus2743.

Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or find one of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re currently really into. I’ll pick the best one alongside my daily choice and give you a shoutout! You can also share in the comments below — those are just harder to sift through sometimes!

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Let the man fly!

Stats.

Tease.

Imagine…

Jits.

On the market.

Mother of god.

KSW highlights and weirdness.

This was a thing.

Plans.

Barely…

Bullet.

Rivals.

Eagle.

Money shot.

All in the shoulders.

Victory pose.

Kyoji’s wedding.

Jersey.

Dream chaser.

Soon.

He’s had time.

300 could use it.

Action Man.

BMF Era.

Reaction.

Jiri.

Oh, really?

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Kade Ruotolo (0-0) vs. Blake Cooper (2-1); ONE 167, June 7

Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (8-0) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (15-6); UFC Saudi Arabia, June 22

Said Nurmagomedov (18-3) vs. Montel Jackson (13-2); UFC Saudi Arabia, June 22

Cub Swanson (29-13) vs. Andre Fili (23-11); UFC 303, June 29

Michelle Waterson-Gomez (18-12) vs. Gillian Robertson (13-8); UFC 303, June 29

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I think this is the most agreed-upon week of poll results we’ve had in the past two years, that I can remember.

Thanks for reading!

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Last Week’s Results:

Friday: 76% of 423 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Should Kayla Harrison fight for the UFC bantamweight title if she beats Holly Holm?”

Thursday: 79% of 367 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Does Colby Covington “have” to fight Ian Machado Garry next after starting their rivalry?”

Wednesday: 76% of 479 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Will Mike Tyson be Jake Paul’s most viewed boxing match?”

Tuesday: 75% of 341 total votes answered “Brendan Allen” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” Allen defeated Chris Curtis via a split decision in UFC Vegas 90’s main event.

Monday: 73% of 365 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Does Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway end with a finish?”

Today’s exit poll:

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