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Justin Gaethje
Martial ArtsMixed Martial Arts
The Takedown
Patrick Blennerhassett

UFC: Justin Gaethje’s beat down of Tony Ferguson makes him favourite to finally upset undefeated Khabib

  • The All-American wrestler emerged as a mature, skilled fighter who meticulously picked apart one of the toughest UFC competitors ever
  • Gaethje, now fully rounded as a combatant, looks to capitalise on what will undeniably be a rusty Nurmagomedov this September

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Justin Gaethje is set to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov this September. Photo: USA Today
Patrick Blennerhassett is an award-winning Canadian journalist and four-time published author.

With the whole world still mostly cooped up in their homes, and no other sports to compete with for viewers, Justin Gaethje sent out a definitive statement during UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Florida. A war cry that he wants to be the one to unseat the king and knock a legend of the sport from his perch.

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s 28-fight win streak, which has culminated in 12 straight UFC victories, is an impressive run to say the least. But this September, when UFC president Dana White has promised Gaethje a lightweight title shot and a chance to defeat a perfect fighter, we will see history in the making. It will be an upset, but when the dust settles, I’m sure we will all be able to see the writing was on the wall.

Why, you say, should we bet on the rapscallion Gaethje, and not Nurmagomedov, 31, a long-standing champion who has already dispatched pretenders to the throne such as Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor?

Well, if you watched UFC 249, you know why. The Arizona native Gaethje, a wrestler by trade, went toe to toe with Ferguson, a fighter who also had a 12-fight win streak going.

Justin Gaethje put on a clinic against Tony Ferguson, previously one of the UFC’s most impenetrable forces. Photo: USA Today
Justin Gaethje put on a clinic against Tony Ferguson, previously one of the UFC’s most impenetrable forces. Photo: USA Today
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