The most dominant Lightweight of all time, Khabib Nurmagomedov, has undoubtedly seen his blood from time to time. However, inside the Octagon it seems he’s entered and left the cage with barely a scratch on him. But come Oct. 24, 2020, “The Eagle” will know what it’s like to see his blood leave his body in vast amounts if Justin Gaethje has any say in the matter.
“I know I am going to see his blood. I want him to see his blood and I want to see his reaction. I don’t think he’s as crazy as me, that’s the thing,” Gaethje said in an interview with ESPN. “I think he’s crazy and he loves competition, but I don’t think he’s quite as crazy as me and he hasn’t seen his blood very many times I’m sure.”
While Gaethje knows just how dangerous Nurmagomedov is once he’s inside the Octagon, his grappling-heavy style of fighting limits the chances his foes can bust him wide open with a clean shot. For Gaethje, a bloody sight is what he hopes to see when he connects.
“His style of fighting is not something where you are looking for blood or anything like that,” he said. “It’s never even – I bet that doesn’t even cross his mind, whether he’s going to see his own blood or not see his own blood. That’s never been a factor for him.
“I don’t think he’s as crazy as me, and I’m not sure what it’ll be, but I’m pretty sure he’s gonna freak out a little bit,” Gaethe added.
The two men are set to headline UFC 254 on Oct. 24 in what will be the conclusion of the promotion’s visit to “Fight Island” located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The winner will unify the Lightweight titles and likely secure himself a future showdown with the promotion’s latest addition to an already-stacked weight class in Michael Chandler.
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 254 fight card right here, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN 2/ESPN+ at 12 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC 254: “Khabib vs. Gaethje” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.
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