It is five years ago that Khabib Nurmagomedov was at the top of MMA and Justin Gaethje in the second round of their Covid Lockdown PPV event in Dubai in Dubai.
According to all rights, Gaethje Nurmagomedov gave a tough fight, in which some pivulating low stairs and his patented hooks countries to throw 'The Eagle' several times. Nurmagomedov has passed the punishment, gave Gaethje on the rear foot and secured a slick triangle choke finish.
Now retired, Nurmagomedov's Protege Islam Makhachev de Roost at UFC Lightweight reigns after he had defended his belt four times. Gaethje now lives in the world of Makhachev, and although he admits that Nurmagomedov was a tough fight, he would still want to test his courage against the new blood.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
'Towdest opponent so far' … Justin Gaethje arranges Khabib Nurmagomedov and focuses on Islam Makhakev
On a YouTube Q&A, Gaethje noted that he was not sure if he had defeated the version of Nurmagomedov that he encountered at UFC 254. 'De Adelaar' retired after the death of his father, who promised his mother that his would be last fight.
“I think Khabib was probably [was toughest]”Said Gaethje. “Even if I performed better, I am not sure if I could have beaten him that night. So that night, when I fought against Khabib, he was so far one of the most difficult opponents. '
Gaethje has been an eternal competition for lightweight for almost a decade and has secured 13 UFC bonuses at that time. After losing Nurmagomedov, he went 3-2 and made a height-to-head knockout over Dustin Poirier on UFC 291.
After this, Gaethje was on the receiving side of one of the biggest knockouts of all time against Max Holloway. 'Blessed' Gaethje from cold hit in the last second of their BMF title match at UFC 300, and since then Gaethje has not fought anymore.
Gaethje did not prevent this from measuring himself against the current champion, Makhachev, whom he believes he would do better than Nurmagomedov.
“I want to fight against Makhachev. . . . I really believe that is a better matchup for me than Khabib, “Gaethje noted.
Do-or die for Justin Gaethje on UFC 313
Gaethje's comeback fight is booked against Dan Hooker on UFC 313 on March 8. Hooker is a clear step in name value for Gaethje, but 'The Hangman' has impressed the audience with a recent revival of the career.
The Kiwi Scrapper admitted that he had sold his title shot for money and chose to fight against a murderer competition, including Islam Makhakev, Arnold Allen, and a debut Michael Chandler. Now no. 6 Hooker gets the chance to jump in a lightweight title with a victory against Hooker. For Gaethje it is a potential death of the torch fight, where another loss could feed him on the wolves at lightweight.
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