Justin Gaethje may be terrified going into UFC 249 but he believes he has the power that can send Tony Ferguson into the shadow realm.
The 31-year old fighter out of Safford, Arizona will lock horns with the number one lightweight contender in the main event of UFC 249 fight card on April 18 with the interim title up for grabs.
The UFC tapped Gaethje as replacement for Khabib Nurmagomedov, who has dropped out of his third title-defence because of the travel ban in Russia amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It was a brave decision for Gaethje to take the title bout on a short notice and he is aware of the amount of challenges he is about to face.
“Every time I’ve ever fought, there’s never been this many unknowns — much less the unknowns we’re dealing with right now,” Gaethje told TMZ in a recent interview (per MMA Fighting).
“It’s just really a terrifying moment, and I’m talking about the competition side. I know what I’m facing.”
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Ready To Gamble
Though both of them are in the middle of a win streak, Gaethje admitted ‘El Cucuy’ is the better fighter.
With his back against the wall, ‘The Highlight’ is taking the chance to try to do the unthinkable and shock the world at UFC 249.
“Tony’s been getting ready to face Khabib Nurmagomedov, to fight for a world title,” he said.
“But it’s perfect because I always think they’re working harder, I always think they’re better than me, I always think they’re luckier than me and I love to face adversity. So I’m facing my fears right now and I think that’s what we all need to do.”
“No, I haven’t [taken a short-notice fight like this before], but I’ve also never been offered a UFC title. That’s the only thing I’m working for. That’s all I’ve been working for since the beginning so I’m ready to gamble.
“If I lose, then where are we at? It’s in the same exact spot we’re in right now. I’m gonna go out there and get a paycheck, which is nice, but ultimately, I get a chance for glory.”
Justin Gaethje says he's scared, but he's doing it for you. #UFC249 pic.twitter.com/Ne20Ec7yjK
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 6, 2020
Finishing Skills
Asked about his chances against Ferguson, the former World Series of Fighting lightweight champion said he has the finishing skills that could help him score a knockout win.
“He drives in dark places, he doesn’t get tired, he’s got cardio for days and I hit like a Mack Truck. When I hit him, he’ll go to sleep.”
“I possess some of the best finishing skills on the UFC roster. I’m gonna attack his body, I’m gonna attack his legs, and whenever he’s worried about those I’m gonna punch him in the head and hopefully, he goes to sleep.”
“If not, he’s probably going to cut me up with some elbows, probably choke me out late in the fight if I don’t put him to sleep.”
“I’m content with every single one of those scenarios as long as I get to go in there and I don’t disappoint myself, or my family. That’s my only goal,” Gaethje ended.
https://twitter.com/UFCEurope/status/1247247545941872640
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Tony Ferguson and YouTube/ UFC )