Justin Gaethje recently reignited calls for an ultimate showdown featuring Islam Makhachev by proposing a fierce four-way death match inside the UFC octagon. The suggestion came amid ongoing talks about a potential fight between Gaethje and Makhachev, the reigning 155-pound champion, continuing to captivate fans. Gaethje’s idea aims to shake up the lightweight division by involving multiple elite contenders simultaneously, raising the stakes beyond the usual one-on-one title bouts.

Gaethje’s proposal includes himself, Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier, and Max Holloway, creating a high-profile, multi-competitor event designed to test the champion’s dominance. The Dagestani fighter currently holds the promotion’s top pound-for-pound ranking, while Gaethje has long sought this fight, motivated by his unique striking style and desire to dethrone the champion.

Gaethje’s Four-Man Death Match Plan Detailed

In a recent interview on The Makeshift Podcast, Gaethje explicitly described his vision for the main event. He rejected Jon Jones as the central figure in this hypothetical matchup and instead focused on the four-way battle, emphasizing how he and his two allies would quickly overpower Makhachev. Gaethje stated,

“The main event is, is…[not Jon Jones] four way death match with me, Poirier, Holloway and Makhachev. Us three could definitely fu*k him up real quick, and then we’ll see.”

This blunt, direct challenge underlines Gaethje’s confidence in his striking ability combined with teamwork against the champion’s wrestling-centric style.

Gaethje’s strategy highlights his stand-up striking and wrestling countermeasures, which would require support from other fighters known for their striking prowess—Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway. Each of these fighters has a distinct style that complements the concept: Makhachev’s wrestling base versus the striking variety Gaethje, Poirier, and Holloway bring to the octagon.

Islam Makhachev has established himself as a versatile champion, able to handle opponents skilled in multiple areas—boxing, submissions, and kickboxing alike. Despite this, Gaethje’s recent proposal suggests that the combined striking forces of Poirier, Holloway, and himself could pose a unique threat to Makhachev’s reign.

Background on Fighters and Notable Previous Encounters

The lightweight division has experienced several significant battles featuring the proposed four participants. Dustin Poirier pushed Makhachev to the limit during their main event at UFC 302 last June, while Gaethje himself suffered a knockout loss to Holloway in a previous contest for the BMF title at 155 pounds. Since that fight, Holloway made a sustained transition to the lightweight division, where he continues to build momentum.

Gaethje’s idea echoes Dustin Poirier’s earlier dream of a similar four-man tournament for the BMF championship. However, UFC executives have consistently opposed fights involving more than two competitors in the octagon at once, creating a significant hurdle for Gaethje’s proposed event. Meanwhile, UFC officials have slated Islam Makhachev for a title defense against newcomer Jack Della Maddalena later this year, focusing promotional efforts on that matchup.

Tony Ferguson Reflects on Career and Gaethje Rivalry

Beyond Gaethje’s own ambitions, former lightweight contender Tony Ferguson recently remarked on his career and expressed regret over his one-sided loss to Gaethje at UFC 249. That defeat ended Ferguson’s notable 12-fight winning streak and marked a turning point that led to an eight-fight losing streak before his exit from the UFC.

Ferguson had anticipated a title fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov, but multiple factors—including pandemic restrictions—kept that match from happening. In an interview, Ferguson shared how he would choose to rematch Gaethje if given the chance, focusing on a different strategy to alter the outcome. He said,

“Oh son of a bi*ch—, …you named them both… Yeah, of course…it would be a combination plate of McNuggets and Tiramisu, it really would. But, if I could go back and fight another time, it would be Gaethje…and I would actually give a sh*t— and go back and fight that one…I wouldn’t go toe-to-toe, I would fight my fight, the way that I was supposed to and change the future and see how it would go from that point.”

Ferguson represented a dominant force at 155 pounds before his decline and has since explored other combat sports opportunities. He was drafted by the Los Angeles GFL team as a Round 3 pick in the 2025 GFL Draft, signaling his transition away from the UFC platform.

Challenges Facing Gaethje’s Multi-Fighter Death Match Vision

Despite Gaethje’s enthusiasm for the four-way death match concept, UFC leadership has expressed hesitance regarding matches with more than two fighters. Their concern involves the risks and regulatory complications of multi-competitor bouts. Additionally, ongoing division storylines continue to prioritize more traditional matchups, including Islam Makhachev’s upcoming title defense against Jack Della Maddalena.

Gaethje’s proposal highlights a desire to innovate and create high-stakes, crowd-pleasing fights that push boundaries, but whether the UFC will sanction such an event remains uncertain. His outspoken vision has nonetheless sparked significant discussion within the MMA community.

The Broader Implications for UFC’s Lightweight Division

If Gaethje’s death match proposal were to move forward, it would represent a profound shift in how championship bouts are structured, challenging conventions and elevating athlete rivalry to a new level. Such an event could intensify competition, generate immense fan interest, and redefine the lightweight division hierarchy.

For now, UFC brass appears focused on more conventional title defenses, with Islam Makhachev positioned to face Jack Della Maddalena later this year. Yet, Gaethje’s call for a brutal four-way fight lays the groundwork for possible future innovations and could influence matchmaking considerations if fan enthusiasm and fighter interest align.