K. Nurmagomedov (left) and J. Gaethje (right) facing each other before the UFC 254. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Days away from his long-awaited confrontation with Charles of the Bronx, Justin gaethje exudes confidence. Challenger for the lightweight belt (up to 70,3kg) in the UFC 274, which takes place this Saturday (7), the North American acknowledged mistakes in his first attempt to take over the throne and assured that he was 'vaccinated' against stumbles. In an interview with Ultimate, the athlete revealed his failures when he faced Khabib NurmagomedovIn 2020.
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“I need to be perfect. The only time I adopted another fighting strategy, when I wasn't walking forward the whole time, was against Khabib, and I will never do that again. So if he (Do Bronx) is going for it, know that things are not going well for me,” he said.
When he measured forces against Nurmagomedov, in UFC 254, Gaethje was fighting for title unification. Known for his knockout power, the North American was unable to hurt the Russian to the point of making him fall like other opponents in the past.
With a pragmatic but infallible strategy, Khabib ended up getting the positive result, and quickly. At the time, the former Ultimate star retained the straight belt by submitting Gaethje in the second round.
After the stumble against Nurmagomedov, Justin needed another positive result to regain his status as challenger. To face the champion, the athlete went through Michael chandler in epic battle in UFC 268.
In the obligation to maintain to remain at the absolute top of the category, Charles of the Bronx will need to contain the rival's aggression. Champion for around a year, the Brazilian is looking for his second title defense.
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