Nurmagomedov sends a warning to Gaethje
Y AS FIGHT ISLAND TO HOST ONE OF THE BIGGEST BATTLE SOFT HE YEAR
Themessage is loud and clear. Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has warned interim title holder Justin Gaethje to prepare for twenty- five minutes of intense grappling when the two meet in Saturday’s UFC 254 fight- card at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking at a press conference held at Yas Beach yesterday, Khabib said: “He has dynamite in his hands, a very good kick.
“They are all good when they stand up but when I drag them to the ground, it changes things a little bit. I have prepared myself to take him down a 100 times. He has to worry about wrestling twenty- five minutes.”
Arguably one of the biggest UFC fights of 2020, UFC 254 takes place behind closed doors at Fight Island’s Flash Forumon Yas Island. The winner will walk out of the Octagon as the undisputed 155- pound champion.
Even UFC President Dana White, who acknowledged that 2020 has been themost difficult of his professional career due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the most rewarding, said this was possibly the best fight he has ever put together.
“Anything is possible when these two guys enter the Octagon and that’s what makes this fight so exciting,” he said.
“This is a massive fight, UFC 254’ s total ( page) impressions are at 23 billion.”
Ok, so after Khabib revealed his cards that itwill be his ‘ Dagestan’ grappling against Gaethje’s striking and kicks once the Octagon door shuts, the latter absorbed all the hype as he sat nonchalantly composed all through the press conference.
Surprise myself
When his time came to speak he seized the spotlight and said: “I’m a performer, I thrive under the lights, under intensity. This is ingrained in us.
“My rule is I quit or he quits. I’m here to get better and I just can’t wait to surprise myself again. I will give everything I have to be proud of myself again.
“He hasn’t fought or grappled with someone likeme. If he wants to grapple, let’s grapple in the middle, I’m not going to let him take me against the cage,” he said.
When asked if he felt like an outsider in Abu Dhabi considering the attention and support Khabib gets in the Middle East, Gaethje countered: “If it means representing the US its special.
“I’m not even supposed to be here, this was Tony Ferguson’s fight. But I beat him and took his place, I took his soul. “This fight is huge for me, huge for my country, my family and the small town ( Safford, Arizona) that I come from.”
Khabib, soft- spoken and friendly ( he even gave Gaethje a couple of friendly taps on the shoulder during the traditional stare- down), echoed his rivals sentiments in fighting for his country and family.
“There’s a big difference between Dagestan and US wrestling,” he said. “I know he knows how to wrestle, but I’m gonna go all night. This is the difference between Dagestan and the US.
“But the most important thing for me is family. I think I was a good kid tomy father.”
Khabib was very close to his father and trainer Abdul manap Nurmagomedov who died aged 57 in July due to corona virus related complications.
I know he knows howto wrestle but I’m gonna go all night. This is the difference between Dagestan and the US wrestling.” Khabib Nurmagomedov » Reigning lightweight champion
My rule is I quit or he quits. I’m here to get better and I just can’t wait to surprise my self again. Iwill give everything I have to be proud of myself again.” Justin Gaethje » interim lightweight title- holder
“Right now this is a special time for me with all this pandemic stuff. I don’t like this world, you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow, right now I’m focused on Justin.”