If you don’t know who Justin Gaethje is, trust us, you’re going to love him when you see him inside the Octagon.
The lightweight signed to the UFC as an undefeated world champion from WSOF. He embodies the ‘kill or be killed’ attitude making his fights must-see events for combat sports nerds and casual fans alike. His record of 17 wins, 14 knockouts and a submission is a testament to this mindset.
Gaethje’s high-risk style leaves him susceptible to getting tagged and his critics will argue that there’s no longevity in the way he swings his fists. Interestingly, Gaethje knows the likelihood of this happening and is pretty open about it. Recently he predicted that he will get knocked out cold at some point during his UFC tenure.
No hint of delusion there. Unless Michael Johnson floors him, we don’t suspect Gaethje will be turning up to the Octagon wearing a singlet anytime soon.
Undefeated, knockout artist, lightweight world champion https://t.co/FPjno3QkiV
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 9, 2017
Gaethje was in Rio at the weekend to see his training partner Matthew Lopez score a stunning first round TKO win over Johnny Eduardo at UFC 212. He spoke to media there and, as we’ve come to expect, the subject turned to the man who currently sits atop the UFC’s 155 lb throne. (Quotes via MMAFighting)
“Hey, he’s (McGregor) the money fight and I’m not going to go in there asking for the money fight. I’m going to be the money fight. I may be the money fight, I might get knocked down 10 seconds into my first and then that goes (slaps hand) out the window. Hey, I’m here and I’m ready to get embarrassed.”
Conor McGregor’s pursuit of that diamond-encrusted panty night against Floyd Mayweather has received a lot of criticism from the rest of the division. Most notably, elite contender Tony Ferguson has suggested ‘the Notorious’ is trying to shirk is responsibilities as a belt-holder, but Gaethje couldn’t be a bigger fan of the ambitious move.
“I don’t care if he ever comes back. I hope he makes $100 million and does whatever he wants. I’m happy for him. I think he’s a genius. This is hard. This is not easy.”
Is he right? https://t.co/cqrnRMz5vW
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 7, 2017
Genius aside, Gaethje knows how the fight game works. He’s aware that it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that he could end up slugging it out with McGregor at some point. To keep that dream alive, he dropped an incredibly cringey sound bite that probably sounded a lot better in his head.
“If I can get my hands on the interim title and he wants to come back, he has to fight me. I’ll be there. I want to fight him in the heart of Ireland if I do. That’s what I want.”
That’s right he’s willing to step straight into the land of a thousand welcomes to fight McGregor, which sparked one hell of a comment from YouTube user Fintan111.
“In the heart of Ireland.” UFC 220: Longford confirmed.
Watch out Vegas, there’s a new fight capital of the world. Who needs the MGM when you’ve got Pearse Park?
