Newly-crowned interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has called out Conor McGregor to a massive mixed martial arts bout in Ireland.
Pulling off the best performance of his career, Gaethje stunned the MMA world by totally dominating the number one lightweight contender Tony Ferguson in their main event clash at UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Florida.
‘The Highlight’ punched his way to a rousing fifth-round technical knockout of Ferguson to end the American’s 12-fight winning streak and to set up a potential unification bout with reigning champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“I knew I was a killer stepping in here. I’m good bro. No better drug on earth than adrenaline coursing through my veins,” he said after his striking masterclass last Saturday night.
“I have a world-class coach. I had to lose to change. You can’t fix what’s broken. Once I understood what was wrong, I was getting hit too much and I was having too much fun. Both times I lost, I was having too much fun. At this level, you can not do that.”
Incredible Night
Going into the fight without any expectations, the 31-year old fighter gave the credit to his coaches for his incredible performance against the boogeyman of 155-pounds.
“I haven’t had time to soak it in. I can’t wait to watch the fight, I was so good tonight. I truly just believed in my skills and in my coaches and what a great time I just had. It was a great challenge and I’m very happy right now, I can’t wait to go home and see my family,” Gaethje said.
“I know how much happiness I just brought to people and that feels great. I don’t have any expectations when I step in there, just be my best self and I was good tonight. My timing is incredible, my coaches were incredible and I was incredible tonight.”
“This is what I was born, raised bred to do. You get one life and I’m living a crazy one and it’s so awesome. I can’t wait for that challenge, win or lose, I’m going to give it 100% and have one hell of a time.”
Big Challenges
Hungry for more challenges, Gaethje is now looking to represent the United States in a massive title showdown with the Russian champion before entering the enemy’s territory in Ireland to lock horns with ‘The Notorious.’
“Khabib is the best in the world. I’ve been working since I was four for challenges like this. And I’m happy to represent the United States of America versus Dagestan or Russia’s best.”
“He’s 28-0 and there’s no other challenge I want right now. I want to fight him. Then I’ll go to Ireland and do what I got to do.”
What do you think of Justin Gaethje’s chances against Khabib and Conor McGregor?
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ UFC and Conor McGregor)