UFC lightweight Justin Gaethje made a strong impression in his UFC debut last July by defeating Michael Johnson via TKO of the second round. He will face former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 218 this Saturday on December 2. After all, both contenders have agreed their season-ending fight is for the unofficial title of “most violent man.”
A win for Justin Gaethje would open up better opportunities for him in the lightweight class. And with the lingering possibility with Conor McGregor, the former WSOF champion is more focused on the next best option interim champion, Tony “El Cucuy.” Ferguson.
Gaethje told MMAjunkie:
“I honestly don’t give a (expletive about McGregor’s plans), because it does not matter,” said Gaethje, who fights Alvarez on the pay-per-view main card of Saturday’s event at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. “If I don’t win this fight, I’m not even in that picture. So I’m focusing on Eddie. Can’t hate on Conor for making a (expletive) of money. Don’t hate him at all. So if I finish Eddie, I definitely want to fight Tony.”
Gaethje knows Eddie Alvarez may slow him down at UFC 218, no matter what he will not come under this influence and promises an entertaining fight for his fans.
“He’s talking a big game, but I still think he’s going to try and stick me against the fence and hold me there,” Gaethje said. “I’m a Division I wrestler, so I’ve got to focus on keeping him off me and landing hard punches and kicks, making him quit. I don’t know how many times he’s been finished, but I’m shooting to finish him, that’s for sure.”
“I would rather lose than not get a finish I don’t want to win a boring decision,” he added. “That’s the last thing I want. It’s impossible. It’s either I get finished, or he gets finished. That’s how I fight. It’s life or death.”
UFC 218 event taking place at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan this Saturday, December 2nd.
