Game on as Gaethje boasts of higher IQ than Khabib
American compares mega showdown with the Russian to a game of chess
The deadly game of chess that Justin Gaethje has proposed with undefeated world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov on Sunday at UFC 254 has taken on a whole new meaning with both fighters dismissing each other’s taunts and threats as the day draws near.
Interim UFC lightweight champion Gaethje may be the huge underdog but the 31- yearold, who credits his punching power to his Mexican and copper mining roots, is confident that he has the perfect gameplan to hand the Russian his first- ever defeat in the Octagon.
“It’s the biggest fight of my life. My confidence paired with the power I possess and the coach ( Trevor Wittman) I have, it’s a dangerous combination,” he said earlier this month. “This sport involves a lot of hardwork and skill and a bit of luck. So, anybody can go to sleep.”
Gaethje, one of the most improved MMA fighters in the world as he showed with his dismantling of the dangerous Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 in May this year, once Khabib’s intended opponent, has been oozing confidence. And he believes that he has the perfect plan to make history at Yas Island.
Happy to be underdog
“This is a World Championship fight,” he said. ‘‘ Controlling the distance is important in any fight. I can’t be in a straight line with him. I have to keep changing tracks. If he’s closing the distance, I at least have to threaten damage.
“It’s going to be a chessmatch against Khabib,” he stressed. “I’m happy to be the underdog. I had lost when I was the favourite against Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier. But I beat James Vick and Tony Ferguson, being the underdog. So that’s brilliant.”
Khabib on the contrary dismissed Gaethje’s ‘ chess game’ claim, contending that he has the superior fight IQ towin.
“My fighter IQ is better than Justin Gaethje’s,” he claimed. “He’s just a tough guy. He likes to fight, he likes blood. He’s like a real warrior. But if we’re talking about fighter IQ, I think mine is a lot better than his,” Khabib said of his rival.