Justin Gaethje will live up to his M.O. once again at UFC 249 by putting himself in harms way for the entertainment of fight fans.
Gaethje (21-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) will step in for Khabib Nurmagomedov to fight Tony Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC) for the interim lightweight title April 18 at UFC 249 – assuming the event goes down as planned – despite having just 12 days of official notice from when the bout was announced.
Fighting Ferguson under normal circumstances has proven to be hard enough for the 12 consecutive men who have lost to him. Doing it in the middle of a global pandemic and on a severely restricted training camp? That’s lunacy – and apparently Gaethje knows it (via Twitter).
#forthepeople I’m terrified and I fucken love it. #ufc
In the past, Gaethje has vowed not to take fights on short notice because he needs the appropriate amount of time to prepare mentally and physically for his violent style of fighting. That’s all out the window for UFC 249.
Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson fight has been plagued for years, with UFC 249 marking the fifth time it’s fallen apart. Gaethje had been discussed as a potential backup since it was booked in December, and although this situation was unforeseen, he’s known his name could be called.
Now it has, and Gaethje has the chance to claim the interim 155-pound belt.
Justin Gaethje 'terrified' about short-notice UFC 249 fight vs. Tony Ferguson (but loves it)