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Gregory Payan / Associated Press
Justin Gaethje said that fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC 254 is a “life changing” opportunity that he does not plan to pass up.
Gaethje, the UFC interim lightweight champion, told TMZ Sports in an interview published Friday that he will come out aggressive in the unification fight.
“I’m going to go out there and try to break his face, I promise you,” he said.
Gaethje has been the interim champion since May when he knocked out Tony Ferguson in the fifth round to earn Performance of the Night honors. However, the undefeated Nurmagomedov, returning to the Octagon for the first time since September 2019, represents a different level of challenge.
Khabib is at 28-0 heading into next Saturday’s fight. He won the vacant lightweight title over Al Iaquinta in April 2018 and has since defended it in wins over Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier.
“Right now, this man will be very difficult to beat,” Gaethje told TMZ. “With the passing of his father, for people like us, that is a determining and motivating factor. He is going to be 100 percent motivated, but I think … I can beat him.”
He also explained that while beating the Russian superstar would open up numerous avenues and potentially fights, including a potential big money showdown with McGregor, he is not looking to the future.
“When I get this belt, the target will be on my back and I won’t have to call anyone,” Gaethje said. “Honestly, it wouldn’t matter who I fought after Khabib. This will cement my legacy, and that’s the only thing I’m here for.”
It will not be easy. Nurmagomedov is a fairly sizeable favorite (-286) with just over a week left until the fight with Gaethje (+225), for DraftKings sports betting.
Gaethje has been excellent since back-to-back losses to Poirier and Eddie Alvarez with three straight knockouts in the first round before the win over Ferguson.
If he can harness that power against the fuller Khabib, one hit could change the entire fight.
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