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With 2020 proving to be a disaster for the best laid plans of the majority around the world, one of the few people seemingly thriving amidst the chaos is UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje.
It’s a notion that probably shouldn’t come as a surprise considering that Gaethje (22-2) apparently feels more comfortable navigating action fights inside the cage than any other fighter in UFC history thanks to his penchant for letting it all come out.
Gaethje, 31, took an opportunistic approach in his first fight of the year in May when he accepted a last-minute fight with the fiery Tony Ferguson and scored a savage fifth-round TKO to give Khabib Nurmagomedov a shot. 155-pound full title at UFC 254 next Saturday.
After talking to Gaethje, it is clear that he has nothing but respect for what Nurmagomedov (28-0) has accomplished. The two fighters are not friends, per se, but they share the same manager in Ali Abdelaziz and that relationship has led to Gaethje helping Nurmagomedov lose weight in the last few days before a fight in the past.
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But it seems that respect stops at the door of the Octagon, as Gaethje not only plans to finish Nurmagomedov in their lightweight unification bout, but it seems that he has had problems with more than just those who believe the Russian mauler will come out. victorious. From UFC president Dana White, to Nurmagomedov’s teammate and coach Daniel Cormier and Javier Mendes respectively, and even Abdelaziz, it’s clear that Gaethje isn’t happy that everyone has come up with an exit strategy for the race. of your opponent.
Gaethje was asked during an appearance Thursday on CBS Sports and Showtime’s “Morning Kombat” which client he thinks Abdelaziz is quietly cheering on and the Arizona native spoke out against those already planning a retirement fight next April. for Nurmagomedov, Georges St.-Pierre, Conor McGregor or anyone else.
“I’m here to ruin Ali’s day, I’m here to ruin Dana White’s day, I’m here to ruin Daniel Cormier’s day, I’m here to ruin Javier Mendes’s day, I’m here to ruin Khabib Nurmagomedov’s day” Gaethje said. “Fuck all those guys. They already have [a plan]. I don’t know what their plan is, but they said they have a plan ahead and I’m going to screw it up. “
To finish, Gaethje took another step. Throughout a calendar year that has been anything but predictable, Gaethje believes he will reflect that trend with his chance to play spoiler next weekend.
“They’re going to change my nickname from ‘The Highlight’ to ‘2020,’” Gaethje said.
UFC 254 will take place inside the Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi as part of the UFC’s seventh trip to “Fight Island” since the start of the global coronavirus pandemic.
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