Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Gaethje almost pulled out of his UFC Vancouver headliner.
On Wednesday, Justin Gaethje came and spoke to the media wearing a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses. According to the entertaining slugger, that’s from an eye infection that nearly got him pulled from his headlining bout against Donald Cerrone this weekend.
“I’ll be honest to everyone, I’m wearing these sunglasses because I almost didn’t make it to this fight,” Gaethje said. “I had an eye infection and I’m through that now and I just got off the plane about an hour and a half ago and I came straight here because I was not gonna miss this opportunity to work out and get the blood flowing and get my mind into fight week. So these lights are super bright, a little light sensitivity right now, but I’m 100 percent ready to go.
“I’ve fought blind my whole life, so unless my eyes are cut out I’m fighting,” he said, before declining to answer how long he’s been dealing with the infection. “I’ve seen many doctors. I’m cleared and I’m ready to go.”
Saturday night’s lights will be even brighter in the Octagon, and Gaethje says that wouldn’t be an issue at all.
“I’m seeing drastic improvements every day. This is just a precaution,” Gaethje said of his sunglasses.