Justin Gaethje does not want to fight anyone other than Khabib Nurmagomedov after ending Tony Ferguson’s record-breaking lightweight run.
‘The Highlight’ well and truly lived up to his name at UFC 249 as he systematically broke down the man known as the boogeyman of the lightweight division with a clinical striking display.
Justin Gaethje refused to hold the belt after it was presented to him by UFC president Dana White
Powerful left hooks and straight right hands left ‘El Cucuy’ looking like a bloody swollen mess and referee Herb Dean had little choice but to stop the fight in the fifth.
With president Dana White promising the winner of this fight in Jacksonville was guaranteed a shot at full champion Khabib, the emotion was clear to see from Gaethje and it almost spilled over.
Before his post-fight interview with commentator Joe Rogan, the Colorado-native removed the belt from his waist after White clipped it on and proceeded to hurl it onto the ground in disgust.
When asked by Rogan why he decided to throw the belt onto the floor, Gaethje simply said he wanted to wait for the real one.
Gaethje dominated the fight from the first bell and pummelled Tony Ferguson
“I’ve been fighting the best in the world, Khabib is the best in the world,” the 31-year-old said.
“I’ve been working since I was four for challenges like this and I am happy to represent the United States of America against Dagestan or Russia’s best.
“He is 28-0 and there is no other challenge I want right now, I want to fight him.”
It did not take long for the Russian to respond to the call out, although it remains to be seen where or when a fight can take place with ‘The Eagle’ currently grounded in his home country.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is 28-0 in his MMA career
President Trump congratulates Dana White on running UFC 249
Although fans have clamoured to see the unbeaten champion defend his belt against Ferguson, Gaethje has since leapfrogged him in the rankings to become the number one contender in the division.
Given he is currently observing Ramadan, Khabib has confirmed he is planning to return later this month.