Khabib (right) unifies the lightweight belt against Gaethje (left) in October. Photo: SL Montage
After shocking the world and beating the dreaded Tony Ferguson, in May this year, Justin gaethje is close to yet another dark commitment: Khabib Nurmagomedov. After being provoked by the Russian, who promotes the main fight of the UFC 254, on October 24, the interim champion responded to his new opponent by showing respect, but also confidence in his talent.
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“We are not wrestling. There will be an area in front of me, but not very big. It will be a death zone and I have to represent death every time he enters this zone. That's what I'm best at, creating carnage. Creating 'car crashes”, said the North American on the podcast Michael Bisping, 'Belive You Me'.
Last week, Khabib commented on a post by the UFC's main commentator, Joe Rogan, in which the announcer praised Gaethje's technique. At the time, the Russian stated that he will take Justin to the deepest ocean, referring to the difficulties he will impose on his opponent in the duel to unify the division belt, in October.
Aware of the difficulties he will face when fighting against one of the best athletes in the recent history of MMA, Gaethje has a strategy drawn up to try to nullify the game of Khabib, who has never been defeated in his career as a professional in the sport.
“My only goal is to get up there (in the octagon) and create as many 'car crashes' as possible. It doesn't matter if it's our bodies that hit, our heads, shoulders, my fist on his head, his fist on mine, it doesn't matter. I need to create collisions because it’s the only way to beat this guy,” he explained.
Finally, Justin highlighted something that he will use as a crucial factor in achieving victory. According to the American, Khabib's ego could be his biggest opponent in the confrontation between the two.
“I think his biggest weakness is believing he is invincible. (…) He surrounds himself with people who stroke his ego. I believe that that culture – that's what I'm leaning on – can stroke his ego. I've seen it there. I've seen fighters really surround themselves with a group that really pumps them up and pushes them up.”
In addition to being one of the most anticipated fights of the year, the clash between Gaethje and Khabib will mark the linear champion's first appearance since the death of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who died in early July, a victim of complications from Covid-19.
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