Justin Gaethje proved to be the ultimate opportunist at UFC 249. He dismantled Tony Ferguson and earned the right to jump the line and fight Khabib Nurmagomedov in a Lightweight Championship unification bout. After his impressive TKO win ‘The Highlight’ said, “I told my coaches, ‘You’re not gonna like it, but I’m ready to die tonight. That’s the mentality you have to come in there with.”
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ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto broached the fighter’s comments saying he was prepared to die in there and asked him to elaborate, as it is a feeling not many people experience.
Justin Gaethje opens up on his post-fight comments
“So when I listened to Teddy Atlas he talked about that specifically and he’s spot on man. To do what we do. To be able to go where I am able to go and perform under that pressure in that setting. It seems inhuman in a way, but those are like near-death experiences. People when they’re in war. You can’t be scared. If you’re scared for one second, you’re gonna die. I don’t wanna die, that’s the last thing I wanna do. I don’t wanna go there and die, but to be able to accept that. It allows so much peace inside of myself.
“For me internally, if you break it down, even more, it’s like if I had to die young and if I did die young. What more of a noble way for me than to die in that setting.”
He stated that in his age group, people usually die from their cars hitting poles or from slipping and falling off a rock.
“If I had to die young, I go to that spot, and then it’s like such a peaceful time for me. That whole week I slept better than I’ve ever slept. The night before the fight I sleep 10 and a half hours straight. Just such a peaceful time for me.”
‘The Highlight’ was certainly in the zone on May 9. He knew he had to make the most of the golden opportunity which he grabbed with both hands.
Can Justin Gaethje have the same “ready to die” mindset as he aims to end Khabib Nurmagomedov’s undefeated streak?
