UFC lightweight champion holder, Khabib Nurmagomedov, boasted he could beat Justin Gaethje easily. Khabib vs Justin Gaethje duel will certainly be held on October 24, 2020. However, until now the President of the UFC, Dana White, is still not sure where the location of the duel Khabib vs Justin Gaethje.
While acknowledging Justin Gaethje’s abilities, Khabib is confident he will not find it difficult to defeat the fighter from the United States. “Justin Gaethje is a good person and of course a good opponent for me. However, when Octagon is locked, Justin Gaethje must be really ready,” Khabib was quoted as saying on the ESPN website, Tuesday (4/8/2020). “Justin must be prepared not only for a fight. I am not Dustin Poirier or Tony Ferguson,” Khabib said. “I will take Justin Gaethje to a large ocean and sink it there,” Khabib added.
Dustin Poirier was the last opponent defeated by Khabib to defend the UFC lightweight championship. Duel Khabib vs Dustin took place at UFC 242 held on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on September 7, 2019.
Khabib was successful in defending the UFC lightweight championship after winning submission or lockdown in the third round. On the other hand, Tony Ferguson was the last opponent defeated by Justin Gaethje.
Justin got a chance to fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov after defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249, May 9, 2020. UFC 249 was very interesting because Justin Gaethje was at that time a substitute for Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib Nurmagomedov decided to withdraw from UFC 249 because he did not want to risk fighting in a corona virus pandemic situation. In addition, Khabib also chose to return to Russia to accompany his father, Abdulmanap, who was declared infected with the corona virus.
After receiving intensive care, Abdulmanap died at the age of 52 years due to complications of the disease, including the corona virus, July 2, 2020. The sad news was also one of the reasons why the duel Khabib vs Justin Gaethje was postponed from the beginning of September to October 24, 2020.
The duel against Justin Gaethje certainly became an emotional battle for Khabib because for the first time Abdulmanap did not accompany him. Regarding this matter, Dana White has ensured that Khabib is ready to return to Oktagon even though he has just lost his father who is also his coach.
Khabib Nurmagomedov in recent weeks has also been seen training back in his hometown, Dagestan, Russia. The news certainly ended the rumor that Khabib would retire as an UFC or MMA athlete after his father’s departure.
