Justin Gaethje may be stepping on short notice at UFC 249, but he’s confident that if he connects, it’ll be game over for Tony Ferguson.
Gaethje (21-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) faces Ferguson (25-3 MMA, 15-1 UFC) at an unknown location for the UFC interim lightweight title after champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was forced off the card due to the travel restrictions currently imposed in Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’ll be Gaethje’s first shot at UFC gold, and the former World Series of Fighting champion has looked better than ever, finishing each of his last three opponents in the first round. He knows the durable Ferguson won’t be an easy challenge, but Gaethje is riding a ton of confidence from his recent results, and aims to put Ferguson away.
“I got the perfect dance partner,” Gaethje told TMZ. “I got the dance partner that I dream about and that’s Tony Ferguson. “He thrives in dark places, he doesn’t get tired, he’s got cardio for days, and I hit like a Mack truck. So when I hit him, he’ll go to sleep.
“I possess some of the best finishing skills on the UFC roster,” he continued. “I’m gonna attack his body, I’m gonna attack his legs and whenever he’s worried about those, I’m going to 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. But 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 and my family.”
While Gaethje is bidding to capture his first taste of UFC gold, Ferguson will be looking to become the first two-time interim champion in UFC history. His fight with Nurmagomedov was scrapped for the fifth time in the leadup to UFC 249, but he had no hesitation in accepting the late replacement in Gaethje.
Gaethje knows that Ferguson has already been preparing for months, and is expecting to be dragged into deep waters.
“Tony brings many challenges,” Gaethje said. “I’m looking forward to facing adversity in there. I literally know he thrives in dark places and I consider myself to also thrive in dark places. As disappointing as it is that Khabib and Tony aren’t happening, if you’re a fan of MMA, then you’re an idiot if you’re not excited about this fight.”
Gaethje admitted he had to assess his place in the UFC lightweight division before convincing his coach that accepting the fight was the right decision. He admits his coach was initially tentative, but Gaethje said that he doesn’t see too much to lose with this massive opportunity.
“They called me, my coach said no, not no, but my coach said, ‘You don’t take late replacement fights,’” said Gaethje. “I said, ‘You’re right,’ so I was like, ‘Let’s sleep on it.’ The next morning I woke up (and) I said, ‘If I lose, where are we at?’ and for me it’s in the same exact spot I’m at right now.
“I’m going to go out there and I’m going to get a paycheck, which is nice. But ultimately, I get a chance at glory. Heroes live forever and legends never die and I’m literally here to make a statement.”
Justin Gaethje confident he can finish Tony Ferguson at UFC 249: 'When I hit him, he'll go to sleep'
