“I think Islam is a tough fight for anyone,” the American told TMZ Sports. “In a fight like this, I have to act flawlessly and deal serious damage. I think I can knock him out. I can knock out anyone with the power I have.”
Justin Gaethje, who lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020, knows what is the main difference between Islam Makhachev and his undefeated teammate.
“I think Khabib and Islam are very similar. The difference is that Islam finished. He was losing. He is also surrounded by an aura of invincibility, but it is not one hundred percent, like Khabib’s. This is their main difference.”
Justin Gaethje got his career back on track two weeks ago when he defeated Rafael Fiziev by a majority vote at UFC 286 in London. Last year, the American fighter made an unsuccessful attempt to take the UFC lightweight championship belt from Charles Oliveira, losing to the Brazilian by rear naked choke in the first round.
According to the UFC plan, Islam Makhachev is scheduled to make another title defense on October 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi against the winner of a potential contender fight between Charles Oliveira and Benil Dariush, who will meet on May 6 at UFC 288 in Newark.