Gaethje: "UFC lightweight belt becomes a laughing stock since Khabib's departure"

Former UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje once again criticized the promotion's management for setting up the vacant title bout between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler.

"I was out of my mind when I heard about this fight. It was the most coveted belt in the UFC when it belonged to Khabib. In an instant, it turned into a laughing stock as Oliveira and Chandler fought to determine the best, even though they weren't the best themselves. Me and Dustin Poirier should have fought for the belt," Gaethje told ESPN.

Oliveira knocked out Chandler on May 16 and won the UFC lightweight championship belt.

Gatji will fight Chandler on Nov. 6 at UFC 268.