I am ready to take Justin down 100 times: Khabib
abu dhabi — Khabib Nurmagomedov promises to take down Justin Gaethje, lock his stranglehold in and retain his UFC lightweight title in Abu Dhabi’s Fight Island on Saturday. But Gaethje is determined to end the champion’s 28-0 unbeaten streak.
And if Khabib pins down interim champion Gaethje, he will be on his way to G.O.A.T. status, said UFC president Dana White while pitching UFC 254 headline event as the biggest ever fight.
At a press conference held on the beach, Khabib acknowledged feeling the pressure ahead of the showdown.
“He has finished a lot of opponents, great guys. He beat Tony Ferguson. So, beating a guy like Justin Gaethje is going to be big for my legacy.”
Khabib stressed he will accomplish his set goal of beating Gaethje, then go on to be 30-0 and retire as unbeaten champion. “I’m just focused on Justin Gaethje. He is very dangerous in the first round. He and Conor (McGregor) are two most dangerous guys in the first round but in the second and third round they become little bit like regular fighters. He knows how to wrestle. It’s going to be a little bit hard but I prepare myself to take him down 100 times. It is going to be very interesting.”
Khabib pointed out there’s a big difference between Dagetan wrestling and American wrestling.
“If I am going to take him down and he is going to defend, it’s good, but I am going to try all night,” Khabib added.
Gaethje is aware about Khabib’s ability to wear down opponents and is prepared for the face-off. “I am a performer. I always show up under the lights. I have been doing this as long as he has. He hasn’t fought somebody who has wrestled or grappled as long as he has and that’s me. I have. I will not allow him to put me on the fence. If he wants to grapple let’s do it in the middle.”
Gaethje vowed to destroy Khabib in a structured way.
“I cause damage. I have dense bones. I am going to kick his legs. That’s how it’s going to start and then we are going to move on from there. I can’t wait to surprise myself. We will fight for our lives.”
White underlined the star value and element of uncertainty over the result has made the fight track as the biggest ever. “Anything is possible. And that’s one of the things that makes this fight so fun and exciting to the world. UFC 254 total impressions are 23 billion. Khabib is one of the biggest stars in sport, not just UFC. People believe this kid (Gaethje) has the style to beat him (Khabib). So, you have all the ingredients of a massive fight.”
He has finished a lot of opponents, great guys. He beat Tony Ferguson. So, beating a guy like Justin Gaethje is going to be big for my legacy.
Khabib Nurmagomedov