However, Justin Gaethje‘s wild celebrations were temporarily put on hold after he beat Donald Cerrone in September 2021.

The former interim lightweight champion instead directed an angry outburst at referee Jerin Valel.

Justin Gaethje’s angry reaction to beating Donald Cerrone

With less than a minute left in the first round, Gaethje dropped the UFC Hall of Famer.

Donald Cerrone popped straight back up before falling face first after a series of follow up shots.

Gaethje momentarily hesitated to throw more punches as he expected the referee to step in.

The 36-year-old whacked his opponent twice more before shooting the in-cage official a dirty look.

Cerrone, who was curled up in a ball, ate one more punch before the referee finally waved things off.

After being pushed off ‘Cowboy’, Gaethje began angrily shouting and gesturing at the referee, who he clearly felt should’ve stepped in much earlier.

In contrast, Cerrone could be seen protesting the stoppage while wobbling around the UFC Octagon.

Justin Gaethje calls for title shot

Islam Makhachev hasn’t fought since quickly tapping out Renato Moicano at UFC 311 in January.

The lightweight champion is currently weighing up the options for his next UFC title defense.

Ilia Topuria, Belal Muhammad, Charles Oliveira, and Paddy Pimblett are all under consideration.

As is Gaethje, who recently revealed he hopes to face Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protege this summer.

“I’m ready to fight, I’m ready to fight in June,” he told The Schmo earlier this month.

“I don’t know, I think Makhachev said he wants to fight in June. I’m hoping I get that call sooner rather than later so I can [start preparing]

“I’m 4-1 in my last five fights, only losing to Max Holloway. We’ve got Oliveira, who already lost [to Makhachev]. [Arman] Tsarukyan really f—– it up. I don’t think they’ll give it to him, and then Topuria.

“I can see them giving it to Topuria, so we’ll see what they do.”