Khabib: UFC 300 fight between Gaethje, Holloway 'makes no sense'

UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov believes the UFC's decision to schedule a fight between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway has made a mess of the title picture at both 145 and 155 pounds.

Nurmagomedov's longtime friend and teammate, current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, has aggressively pursued a summer matchup against Gaethje. But the UFC instead booked Gaethje in a BMF title defense against Holloway at UFC 300 on April 13, leaving Makhachev in limbo.

Nurmagomedov said Thursday the UFC should've scheduled Gaethje to face Makhachev and Holloway to challenge newly crowned featherweight champ Ilia Topuria instead.

"All respect for Max Holloway, but I don't know and I don't understand why UFC made this fight - Justin Gaethje versus Max Holloway," Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn. "It makes no sense."

A Makhachev-Gaethje bout would've allowed the victor to defend his belt against the winner of the UFC 300 fight between Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, Nurmagomedov added.

"I don't understand what UFC has planned," Nurmagomedov said. "But Islam is ready to fight with anybody."

Makhachev, who won the 155-pound belt in 2022, is seeking his third title defense after scoring a knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294 last October.