Tony Ferguson said Justin Gaethje will suffer the same fate as Khabib Nurmagomedov when they meet in the Octagon at UFC 249 later this month.
Gaethje replaces the undefeated Russian champion in the main event of UFC 249 fight card and will tussle with Ferguson for the interim lightweight title.
Coming off a 12-fight winning streak, ‘El Cucuy’ will be the heavy favourite to win this matchup, with some MMA fans predicting it will be a walk in the park for the top lightweight contender.
Even Gaethje admitted he is scared to take this fight but he doesn’t want to waste the chance to seek MMA glory.
“I haven’t [taken a short-notice fight like this before], but I’ve also never been offered a UFC title,” Gaethje told TMZ.
“That’s the only thing I’m working for. That’s all I’ve been working for since the beginning so I’m ready to gamble.”
Putting To Sleep
The 31-year old fighter describes Ferguson as the ‘perfect dance partner’ and he knows beating him would be a very tough task.
“He drives in dark places, he doesn’t get tired, he’s got cardio for days and I hit like a Mack Truck,” Gaethje said of Ferguson.
But with his finishing skills, Gaethje believes he can shock the world at UFC 249 by knocking out his fellow American.
“When I hit him, he’ll go to sleep.”
“I possess some of the best finishing skills on the UFC roster. I’m gonna attack his body, I’m gonna attack his legs, and whenever he’s worried about those I’m gonna punch him in the head and hopefully, he goes to sleep.”
“If not, he’s probably going to cut me up with some elbows, probably choke me out late in the fight if I don’t put him to sleep.”
Getting The Job Done
Ferguson, meanwhile, has explained why he agreed to fight Gaethje at UFC 249 instead of waiting for Nurmagomedov.
He said: “I don’t know what I’m trying to accomplish man. I just know when we talk about the fight, people keep smiling.”
Up against a different opponent, ‘El Cucuy’ has no plans to take Gaethje lightly.
“No matter who they put in front of me, like I said in The Ultimate Fighter, this is a tournament. I’m gonna go in there and do my job as best as I can.”
“Khabib was gonna get his ass kicked, but he’s no longer in the picture as far as I’m concerned. We got Justin Gaethje.”
“They call him The Highlight? I’m gonna give him a highlight of his own. I’m gonna hit him so hard, that dude is gonna see stars.”
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ UFC and Tony Ferguson)