Justin Gaethje's title position seems to have improved as the UFC lightweight division made a makeover after Islam Makhachev to get the title off.

Ilia Topuria will win a new title in just one month when she took over Charles Oliveira (ESPN, ESPN+) in Las Vegas on June 28 at T-Mobile Arena (ESPN+ Pay-Per-Per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) in Las Vegas. What will happen after that remains to be seen.

Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) has fought for him for the next belt before Makhachev evacuated as he represents the current format champion. However, with Makhachev not in the picture now, Gaethje's manager MMA's Ali Abdelaziz still thinks he's next.

“I think Justin Gaethje is the first contender,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “He was supposed to fight Dan Hooker and Hooker didn’t show up. He fought for the company, Rafael Fizeiev (who was held at UFC 313), and I think he should wait and fight the winner. That’s what I should do.

Thanks to the way he booked the 155-pound division, Gaethje may be in a showdown with Paddy Pimblett (who recently called him out) or Arman Tsarukyan if he doesn't earn the title. Abdelaziz said he was not against any pairing and just wanted to put his clients in an undeniable position.

"Who cares? It doesn't matter," Abdulziz said. "If you're a fighter and think you're the best person in the world, then you have to beat the best person. You won't choose. Justin Gaethje never picks opponents, never chooses opponents. He will fight you anytime, anywhere. He will fight you anytime. It doesn't matter, but it must be fair, but it must be fair. Can't win the next championship?"

Abdelaziz and Gaethje may be waiting and watching what happens in UFC 317, and whether it is Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) or Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC). Gaethje hopes to have a chance to avenge Oliveira in UFC 274 his first round filing loss if he appears in gold, but if it is Topuria, then Abdelaziz thinks it is a huge struggle for the sport.

"If Ilia wins, Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia topuria is a sensational battle," Abdullahsitz said.