Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad believes Justin Gaethje has cemented his legacy following his stunning victory over Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250.
Just as he did when he upset Paddy Pimblett to capture the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 in January, Gaethje (28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) once again defied the odds by rallying to defeat Topuria (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) at the White House on Sunday. The victory earned "The Highlight" the undisputed lightweight championship, making him the first fighter in UFC history to win the BMF title, an interim title, and an undisputed title.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Muhammad praised Gaethje for proving doubters wrong after many questioned whether he could still compete at the highest level following his loss to Pimblett.
"I think the performance that Justin put on, especially when everybody counted him out after the Paddy Pimblett fight, he just showed (everyone), man," Muhammad said.
Muhammad believes Gaethje's resume now places him among the greatest entertainers the sport has ever seen.
"That boy has the most violent fighter in UFC history already stamped. The most exciting fighter in UFC history already stamped," he said. "Now he's undisputed champion. He's had basically every freaking title in the UFC now that he was able to get."
At 37 years old, Gaethje has now captured the one championship that had eluded him throughout his UFC career, adding the undisputed lightweight belt to an already remarkable list of accomplishments.
With little left for Gaethje to achieve inside the Octagon, Muhammad suggested there is only one marquee matchup that still makes sense.
"I don't know what else is left for him," Muhammad said. "Just that McGregor fight. If McGregor comes out of that Holloway fight."
Former two-division champion Conor McGregor is scheduled to return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 next month, and a victory could set the stage for a blockbuster showdown with the newly crowned lightweight champion.
