J, Gaethje in victory for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction / Facebook @ufc
the american Justin gaethje is one of the names that has grown the most within the lightweight division (up to 70,3kg) in recent times. After hitting Edson Barboza at the beginning of the year and assume the position of fifth place in the category, the fighter, who faces Donald Cerrone this Saturday (17), aims for greater heights in case of triumph this weekend. Among the future opponents are Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson e Conor McGregor. The statement was made in an interview with 'MMA Fighting'.
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“I think there are two options for me: the winner of Khabib and Tony, or I would fight Conor. These are the possibilities I am considering, if I win”, said Justin.
Since he surprised some MMA enthusiasts and beat Barboza by knockout in the main fight of the UFC Philadelphia, in March, the athlete stopped targeting targets in the center of the ranking and started challenging the division's elite fighters. On some occasions, Gaethje even provoked Conor on his social networks to try to get the Irishman's attention. However, a fight was never negotiated with the company.
“I have no idea how close we came to signing a contract for a fight against Conor. I'm sure Ultimate has kept him from fighting. He probably said he was going to fight. He probably said he would fight me, but then, apparently, he broke his hand,” said Justin.
The fight against McGregor, however, is not Gaethje's obsession. The athlete simply understands that, to reach the top of the category, he has to beat all the opponents who follow the ranking. Conor is currently third in line.
“I'm trying to be the best in the world and he's in the way”, commented the athlete.
Recently, Justin was responsible for harshly criticizing Conor's relationship with his career. For him, the athlete's inactivity is harmful to the sport and only delays the progress of the division. The 'Notorious' hasn't fought since his defeat to the champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, in the dispute valid for the category title, in October last year.
The North American even claimed to be one of the best in the world and considers himself fully capable of fighting on equal terms against the former featherweight (up to 65,7kg) and lightweight champion.
“You have to be an idiot to say I'm not one of the best in the world. I faced Dustin poirier, and he was fighting for the belt. Eddie Alvarez is a top-notch athlete and I had great fights with them. I'm not at my peak yet. I am here. I’m not going anywhere for a few years”, concluded the fighter.
Currently, at 30 years old, Gaethje has 22 fights in his professional MMA career, with 20 wins and just two losses.
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