Justin Gaethje dominated Tony Ferguson in the UFC 249 main event to win the UFC Interim Lightweight Championship. As a result, he has earned a crack at Khabib Nurmagomedov (28-0). Following his dominant win, ‘The Highlight’ wasted no time in calling out the Dagestani fighter.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov responds to Justin Gaethje
‘The Eagle’ had his eyes trained on the fight. He promptly responded with “no comment” when ‘The Highlight’ name-dropped him in the post-fight Octagon interview with Joe Rogan. However, an hour later, he elaborated on the initial response.
“In this sport, and especially in this weight, there will always be hungry lions that will breathe in your back. If you relax, then you will end. Some leave and others come, there is nothing to be surprised. But I won’t fall before the shot. We will still fight.”
В этом спорте и особенно в этом весе всегда будут голодные львы, которые будут тебе дышат в спину, если ты расслабишься то тебе конец. Одни уходят и другие приходят, тут нечему удивляться.
Но я раньше выстрела не упаду. Мы ещё повоюем. pic.twitter.com/kxLWX8E8Ah— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) May 10, 2020
A clash between ‘The Highlight’ and ‘The Eagle’ will be a delight to fans. This is because the Interim champion is regarded as the closest contender who can match the champion’s grappling prowess. But we didn’t get a preview of it at UFC 249.
‘The Highlight’ was landing killer blows on ‘El Cucuy’ and dominated the fight. However, he never had to defend against takedowns. There will be plenty of takedown attempts in the unification bout, as ‘The Eagle’ likes to take the fight to the mat.
As a result, ‘the Highlight’ can leave himself vulnerable if he goes for strikes, akin to last night’s fight. Also, once taken down, he will lose his vertical base to land strikes. However, Luke Rockhold shared that to beat ‘The Eagle,’ fighters have to go for it early. ‘The Highlight’ did display that he can go for it.
It will certainly be an interesting fight. But there is no date fixed for it. ‘The Eagle’ has said he will return in the summer. Depending the coronavirus pandemic situation at the time, the fight could possibly be set for Fight Island.
Do you see Justin Gaethje winning the Lightweight Championship? Or will ‘The Eagle’ reign supreme?
