WASHINGTON – Despite the current circumstances at the top of the lightweight division, Justin Gaethje doesn’t feel like the odd man out.
With Conor McGregor booked to fight Donald Cerrone and UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov slated to defend his title against Tony Ferguson, there aren’t many realistic options left for Gaethje (21-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC).
Some outside observers may think Gaethje is in a tough position, but he doesn’t agree. He simply sees himself as the No. 1 contender.
“I don’t see it like that,” Gaethje told MMA Junkie on Friday. “I think I’m the next guy in line. The title fight is set and somebody needs to fight the winner of that fight. So that’s me. I got in this sport for one reason and that was to fight for a world title.”
In the lead up to McGregor’s return booking, Gaethje said he was not made aware of any discussions he might fight the Irishman. The former World Series of Fighting champ says he isn’t disappointed the UFC went with “Cowboy.”
“It’s pretty much the exact same scenario as when Conor said he was going to fight me the first time,” Gaethje said. “I never heard a word. I don’t know nothing about it. So, nope. Never heard… I’m glad it’s at 170. When I saw it was at 170, I wasn’t disappointed at all.”
In Gaethje’s eyes, what some view as a missed opportunity may actually be a blessing in disguise. Gaethje plans on winning the title before he fights McGregor in order to expand his worth.
“The truth is it’s good for the sport in general to have superstars,” Gaethje said. “I make money. If I fought him now, I’d make the same amount as if I fought anybody. I have a fight on my contract. Next fight, I’d get paid the same.
“I get paid a lot of money when I beat Khabib and then fight Conor with the belt. I’ll be ready when the opportunities come. That’s my job now.”
For now, Gaethje isn’t too concerned about what the future holds. Much of the decision-making process, Gaethje said, is out of his control. He’s just focusing on training until an offer comes his way.
“I don’t play ‘what if’s.’ I approach things and address things whenever they happen,” Gaethje said. “We’ll see what happens. I know Conor didn’t fight me for the title contender fight that would have had to happen if he was going to pass me for the belt. He hasn’t fought in so long. That didn’t happen, so right now I’m next.”
Check out MMA Junkie’s full interview with Justin Gaethje in the video above.
Justin Gaethje: I'm not the odd man out, I'm the next guy in line
