Khabib Nurmagomedov downplays Justin Gaethje's wrestling experience: 'He doesn't use it like I do'

K. Nurmagomedov bets on wrestling to beat J. Gaethje in the UFC 254. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

One of the main factors for the success of Khabib Nurmagomedov in MMA and, mainly, in the UFC, it is wrestling and they know it. However, many believe that Justin gaethje, his opponent in UFC 254, an event that will be held on October 24th, in Abu Dhabi, is a threat, precisely because of its past in the area, but the Russian doesn't care.

At the press conference, held virtually, the lightweight champion (70,3kg) exuded confidence in ensuring that he will not be surprised in the sport he dominates, he recalled that his opponent tends to get tired when required in combat and promised to end the duel before the 25 minutes.

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“The fact that Gaethje knows wrestling doesn’t change anything. I will wrestle with him. He has good takedown defense and has practiced it for almost his entire life, but I don't think in the last five or six years, he has used wrestling like I do. This is my weapon and I always use it in training and fights. This wrestling and control game is what makes me a champion. I don't think that in recent years Gaethje has evolved in this part. He has the base, but everything has changed. Gaethje knows how to defend himself, but we know his conditioning and he can't be trusted. As I will attack him in the first two rounds, in the third, he will be eliminated. He doesn’t have good conditioning,” Khabib said.

At 32, Khabib Nurmagomedov He remains undefeated in MMA, with 28 victories and has already admitted that he only has this and one more fight to fight before retiring. It is worth remembering that this will be the lightweight champion's first performance after the death of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, in July 2020.