Justin Gaethje surpasses Cerrone in the lightweight rankings and approaches Khabib

J. Gaethje in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook @ufc

Little by little, Justin gaethje has become a name to be respected in the complex lightweight division (up to 70,3kg). After a great performance last weekend, when he beat Donald Cerrone by knockout in the main fight of UFC Vancouver, the American jumped one position and took over the number four position, which previously belonged to Cowboy. The update was released this Wednesday on the official UFC website.

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It's no secret that Justin's main focus at the moment is getting an opportunity to compete for the lightweight title, which currently belongs to Khabib Nurmagomedov. After his performance last weekend, in a press conference after the event, the athlete stated that he recognized that the moment is Tony Ferguson fight for the belt, but shows interest in being the next to face the winner of the long-awaited fight.

Still in the octagon, Gaethje also made a point of provoking Conor McGregor. When questioned by Daniel Cormier, interviewer UFC Vancouver, if there was a possibility of facing the Irishman, the North American was precise in saying that the 'Notorious' is retired, and that he wants to face Khabib or Ferguson.

The words used in reference to McGregor make fun of the fact that the Irishman does not remain active within MMA. The last time Conor stepped into the Octagon was in October last year, when he was defeated by Nurmagomedov in a duel valid for the lightweight belt. Before that, the 'Notório' had held an official confrontation in 2016, when he became champion of the division over Eddie Alvarez, becoming yet another athlete to hold two titles in different categories.

O UFC Vancouver also served to raise the positions of Uriah Hall, who emerged victorious from the confrontation against Antonio Shoe Guy, in the second fight of the main card. Hall rose to 11th, while the Brazilian remained stuck in 13th place.

Augusto Sakai also has reason to smile after his fight this Saturday. The Brazilian, who hit Marcin tybura in the last fight of the preliminary card he entered the heavyweight category once and for all. The athlete, who previously appeared on the doorstep of the top 15, is now in 12th position and can continue his dream of reaching the elite of the category.

Glover Teixeira, who also emerged victorious in the event, remained in ninth place.

See the updated lightweight rankings

Lightweight rankings updated. Photo: Reproduction/UFC