Cormier admits Gaethje is a threat, but believes Khabib will retire undefeated

D. Cormier bets on K. Nurmagomedov (left) against J. Gaethje (right). Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The long-awaited fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov e Justin gaethje, valid for the lightweight belt (70,3kg), in the UFC 254, approaches and Daniel Cormier is waiting. Just like the fans, the current commentator believes that the category's challenger is the toughest opponent the champion has had to deal with in his career, but he is not betting on a different result on October 24th.

At the pre-UFC Ilha da Luta 6 press conference, 'DC' praised Khabib, his friend and training partner, explained why he considers him a unique athlete and can see the Russian retiring undefeated.

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“Khabib says what he is going to do and the opponent has to be able to stop him. He has become so good at what he does that, until now, no one has stopped him. This is why Gaethje is the most dangerous, because he has the skills to stop him. I don't know if anyone will beat him. I am confident and believe that Khabib will retire undefeated. He is too committed to who he should be to be defeated by anyone. No one will beat you! No lightweight feels strong when he sticks and takes the fight to the ground,” said Cormier.

Despite the champion's favoritism, Cormier also highlighted Gaethje's quality, praised the challenger and analyzed what makes him a real threat.

“I think Gaethje is the toughest fight for Khabib. He is very tough! He is known as 'human's finest moments' because he is the most exciting fighter in the game. Not just MMA, but combat sports! There is no fighter in the world more exciting than Gaethje. There is no one like that in MMA, boxing and kickboxing. The Gaethje who fought Ferguson in May is more dangerous to Khabib than anyone he has ever shared the Octagon with,” he concluded.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, 32 years old, competed in 28 MMA fights and won them all. The UFC lightweight champion debuted for the organization in 2012 and had 12 fights there.

At 31, Justin gaethje became interim lightweight champion and won the right to fight for the linear belt against Khabib, by knocking out Tony Ferguson, in May 2020. The American debuted for the company in 2017 and his five victories there were by knockout.