Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Justin Gaethje is willing to step in as a replacement for an injured Khabib Nurmagomedov or Tony Ferguson, but only if the UFC covers his training costs.
Fifth time’s the charm, right?
That’s right, this is the fifth time the UFC has booked a lightweight matchup between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see other fighters on the UFC roster offering up their services in case ‘The Eagle’ or ‘El Cucuy’ get injured.
Speaking to MMA Fighting’s Luke Thomas in a recent interview, top-five UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje said he would be willing to step in as a replacement for an injured Khabib or Ferguson, but under one condition: the UFC compensates him for a full training camp.
.@Justin_Gaethje tells me he isn’t against the idea of being a substitute in the event Ferguson or Nurmagomedov falls out, but it’s not his preference. Would need UFC to cover cost of a training camp. Still prefers to get winner of that bout.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) December 2, 2019
“@Justin_Gaethje tells me he isn’t against the idea of being a substitute in the event Ferguson or Nurmagomedov falls out, but it’s not his preference. Would need UFC to cover cost of a training camp. Still prefers to get winner of that bout,” Thomas wrote on Twitter.
Gaethje is riding a three-fight win streak over James Vick, Edson Barboza and Donald Cerrone, finishing all three men by way of first round knockout. Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier believes ‘The Highlight’ has the best chance of dethroning Nurmagomedov.
Khabib and Ferguson are expected to headline UFC 249. The PPV is scheduled to take place next year, April 18 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.