MMA
Justin Gaethje says he'll beat Tony Ferguson, already has sights on Khabib Nurmagomedov
Justin Gaethje is ultra confident in his ability to stop Tony Ferguson and wrap the interim lightweight championship around his waist at UFC 249 on May 9. But even if Gaethje does just that, he won't feel like a champion just yet.
"When they wrap that belt around me, it won't be the destination," Gaethje told ESPN on Wednesday. "It will be a map to the top. That's who I'm looking at. It'll be nice to have a belt wrapped around, but for me, it won't mean the same. It won't mean I'm a world champion in the UFC."
Gaethje said the only way he'll feel like a true champion is by defeating Ferguson and then knocking out reigning lightweight titleholder Khabib Nurmagomedov. If he handles the first step in the process of beating Ferguson, Gaethje wants nothing less than Nurmagomedov unleashing his inner beast on him and giving him the most savage fight possible.
"When I beat Tony, I'm fighting Khabib next," Gaethje said. "That's what I'm here for, to be the best in the world. And when I fight him, I want him to try and kill me, because I won't respect him if he doesn't."
It has been a whirlwind of a month for Gaethje, who replaced Nurmagomedov to be named as Ferguson's new opponent on the UFC 249 card, which was supposed to be held at the Tachi Palace Casino Resort in Lemoore, Calif., on April 18. However, UFC president Dana White had to postpone the event after ESPN and Disney execs made him "stand down" due to the coronavirus crisis.
The UFC has since canceled its planned cards for April 25 and May 2, but vows to continue with UFC 249, not UFC 250, on May 9. The May 9 card was originally set for Sao Paulo, Brazil, but ongoing COVID-19 concerns have forced the UFC to find a replacement for that location.
Just over two weeks away, the UFC has yet to name a new venue for UFC 249.
