Justin Gaethje is chasing perfection this weekend.
This weekend, Gaethje will challenge for the 155-pound title when he faces off with lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 274, and he comes into it having drawn the ire of the champion. Oliveira called Gaethje a “quitter”, but Gaethje insists that Oliveira is a good fighter and has drawn the ire of his opponent.
“I wasn’t being overly critical, I wasn’t saying he was a bad champion, I was saying that in the times that he’s lost, he didn’t even get knocked out, he quit sometimes,” Gaethje told ESPN. “The choice to quit is something one makes, and once you make it, you can make it again, because you know that it’s there. It’s a choice I have never made. Others haven’t, and I think some have. I believe that he has, and that’s all I was saying. Deep down I know he is able to find his way out and that he will quit if he’s hit too often.
” All those evaluations were made by a younger man. He is [32] years of age, and a confident man. He’s not the man I meant to refer to. A man who is confident can be dangerous. It will all happen again. I know this deep down and that I am the right guy to tell him. And I will show it to him May 7. I’ve got to stay out of grappling positions, obviously, but I’m going to put a whole right in his face and it’s going to be glorious.”
UFC 274 will be Gaethje’s second attempt at claiming an undisputed title, having won an interim belt against Tony Ferguson in 2020, but falling short in his bid to unify belts against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254. He will lose in the lightweight stacked division. A third title shot with UFC 18 is not possible. Gaethje has already won an interim belt against Tony Ferguson at [******************************************************************************************************************************************************, but failed to unify his belts against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC [*************************************************************************************************************************************************** *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
“I’m going to be perfect, and I’m going to be perfect for 25 minutes,” Gaethje said. “If he can beat me, then kudos to him, but he’s going to have to walk through hell, like Khabib did. Bhe isn’t as strong, he lacks the structure, the frame and doesn’t possess explosive takedowns. He’s going to have to find me making a mistake, overreaching, and try to get into a grappling situation. He should be praying that he can get me down every day. Otherwise, it will be just like [Michael] Chandler except for five rounds. And if I went five rounds with Chandler, he would have died, and that’s the truth. It’s a good thing we didn’t do five rounds .”
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Gaethje has a few words to say about the difficulties of walking through hell. In the past five years “The Highlight”, has been awarded MMA Fighting’s Fight of the year award for three bouts, including with Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez.
TOP STORIES
Results. Marlon Vera batters Rob Font, wins unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 53.
FOTY. Katie Taylor wins razor-close split decision over Amanda Serrano in 10-round slugfest.
Rematch. Marlon Vera calls for Jose Aldo rematch: ‘I would love to kick his ass’.
Still. Jake Paul slams Conor McGregor after Taylor vs. Serrano.
Title shot. Urijah Faber explains why rival T.J. Dillashaw should get next title shot against Aljamain Sterling.
VIDEO STEW
UFC Vegas 53 Post Show.
UFC 274 Countdown.
Justin Gaethje training camp.
Israel Adesanya breaks down UFC 274.
Alexander Volkanovski makes a roast of the UFC’s roster.
LISTEN UP
On To The Next One. Matches to make following UFC Vegas 53.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Run It Back.
I agree w/@EddieHearn I believe @KatieTaylor & I need to do this again. We proved to the world we were the best. https://t.co/SLYTICjcfz
— Amanda Serrano (@Serranosisters) May 2, 2022
New feud.
I ain’t your bruh you jealous bitch @NateDiaz209
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) May 1, 2022
Not bad.
I never liked nerds pic.twitter.com/rv3OxSzGZP
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 1, 2022
Dustin calling the shot.
Gonna fight in July https://t.co/NT4UWL8hdq
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) May 1, 2022
Gonna fight your ass
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) May 1, 2022
It’s official, Aljo is ducking Merab.
We are not fighting each other https://t.co/Qt5oO71kwU
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 2, 2022
Callouts.
who wants to fight ? @stylebender @USMAN84kg pic.twitter.com/wO2iYuzMZE
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 2, 2022
Hey @chrisweidman I hope you are doing well and have recovered well after your injury. It would be a great honor to have you back in the cage if you are healthy. Big respect
— Krzysztof Jotko (@JotkoMMA) May 1, 2022
Danny Sabatello staying true to his hits.
Hahahahhaha c’mon Scott these guys suck https://t.co/c3LNFB6ApH
— Danny Sabatello (@ShockThisWorld) May 2, 2022
UFC 275 Poster.
Your #UFC275 poster has arrived
[ Sun. Jun 12 | Tickets on sale NOW https://t.co/YI16lzueLr | #UFCSingapore | @VisitSingapore ] pic.twitter.com/se5oDhnV6x
— UFC (@ufc) May 1, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Yoel Romero (13-6) vs. Alex Polizzi (10-1); Bellator 280, May 6.
Marcus Buchecha (2-0) vs. Hugo Cunha (6-1); ONE 157, May 20.
Calvin Kattar (23-5) vs. Josh Emmett (17-2); UFC Austin, June 18
Kevin Holland (22-7) vs. Tim Means (32-12-1); UFC Austin, June 18.
Curtis Blaydes (16-3, 1 NC) vs. Tom Aspinall (12-2); UFC London, July 23.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
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