In a highly-anticipated match-up, Justin Gaethje expressed his hopes of finally securing a long-awaited title shot against reigning UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, in 2024. Gaethje, who recently clinched victories over Rafael Fiziev and Dustin Poirier, quickly ascended to the No. 1 contender spot in the division. However, it seemed that his prospects for a title fight were put on hold when Charles Oliveira was initially scheduled to face Makhachev in October. Unfortunately, Oliveira's participation was derailed by a gruesome training injury, ultimately leading to Alexander Volkanovski stepping in as a late replacement.

With Oliveira out of contention, Gaethje is now eager to seize the opportunity to face Makhachev next year. Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "Waiting on the call. Ready when you are UFC, Dana White. Let's see who can kick the other's head off first, Islam Makhachev." Gaethje's reference to head kicks pays homage to his spectacular knockout victory over Dustin Poirier in July, propelling him to the top of the lightweight rankings. Notably, Makhachev also demonstrated his striking prowess with a devastating head kick in his rematch against Volkanovski in October.

Makhachev, who has previously expressed his desire for fresh competition rather than rematches with past opponents like Oliveira, seems to be on the same page as Gaethje. Responding to Gaethje's challenge, Makhachev issued a warning, saying, "I can do more than kicking. Be careful." The exchange has only served to intensify the anticipation surrounding a potential showdown between the two fighters.

While details of Makhachev's next title defense have not been officially announced by the UFC, it remains uncertain who will secure the fight against him. Additionally, Makhachev's adherence to observing Ramadan, which runs from March 10 to April 9 in 2024, may impede his ability to compete at the monumental UFC 300 event on April 13. The lightweight champion has yet to address any potential dates for his return to the octagon.

As the MMA world eagerly awaits the official confirmation of Makhachev's next opponent, fans and analysts alike speculate whether Gaethje's quest for a title shot will be realized in 2024. One thing is for certain: if these two powerhouses meet in the octagon, it promises to be an electrifying clash of skill, determination, and a battle to claim the highly coveted UFC lightweight championship.