Tag: Justin Gaethje

BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje is not the same man that fought Oliveira last year: ‘I am a different person’

GaethjeJustin Gaethje doesn’t recognize the man that stepped inside the Octagon with Charles Oliveira at UFC 274. ‘The Highlight’ has been dubbed as the promotion’s most dangerous fighter following his stunning second-round head kick KO against Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 last month. But just last year, Justin Gaethje was a completely different fighter. In […]

Gaethje

Justin Gaethje doesn’t recognize the man that stepped inside the Octagon with Charles Oliveira at UFC 274.

‘The Highlight’ has been dubbed as the promotion’s most dangerous fighter following his stunning second-round head kick KO against Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 last month. But just last year, Justin Gaethje was a completely different fighter. In fact, he was so different that Gaethje doesn’t even recognize himself when looking back on his disastrous title tilt with former lightweight world champion Charles Oliveira.

“I made a huge mistake and I really got caught up in the moment when I fought Charles Oliveira,” Gaethje told ESPN. “Like if you look at the difference between my walkout in this fight and the Charles Oliveira fight, like, I am a different person. I do not recognize the person that fought Oliveira. It’s still a battle that I’m going to face every single time I step in there, to not get caught up in the what are we doing, what’s it for.

“Outside of just being present and trusting in my preparation and trusting in my intuition and being calm in that sense or in that arena, and I think again it was just a mistake I made,” Gaethje continued. “It was kind of the last learning lesson that I needed because I still wasn’t convinced that whether I’m aggressive or not aggressive, I didn’t think that was a huge factor. I thought I would still perform the same way but it certainly was a detriment to my performance that night” (h/t MMA Junkie).

With his BMF title win over Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje solidified himself as the next man in line for a lightweight title opportunity.

Justin Gaethje’s Next Opponent Will Be Revealed in Abu Dhabi

On October 21, the promotion will return to Abu Dhabi for UFC 294, featuring a rematch between Oliveira and reigning 155-pound king, Islam Makhachev. The winner will likely be tasked with defending the title against Gaethje in early 2024.

When the time comes, Justin Gaethje will be 100% ready to put on a performance, just as he did against ‘The Diamond’ in Salt Lake City.

“I’m skipping towards the cage, I’m singing a song that I don’t even understand the words to, kind of like Dustin came out, just hyped up,” Gaethje said. “Dustin came out for a war and I gave him a ballet, and it was the best thing I could have done. I mean he was expecting a war and I gave him the opposite. I guarantee that frustrated him and he was probably very surprised, and it was perfect. It worked out perfect on my end.”

Rafael dos Anjos slights BMF title: ‘I don’t think I make the requirements, I held the undisputed belt’

Rafael dos Anjos takes aim at BMF title and it's competitors I won the undisputed beltFormer undisputed lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos has slighted both the symbolic BMF title as well as competitors for the recently lofted championship, claiming that he likely doesn’t fit the criteria to compete for the belt – given his prior undisputed status. dos Anjos, the current number nine ranked lightweight contender, is slated to make […]

Rafael dos Anjos takes aim at BMF title and it's competitors I won the undisputed belt

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos has slighted both the symbolic BMF title as well as competitors for the recently lofted championship, claiming that he likely doesn’t fit the criteria to compete for the belt – given his prior undisputed status.

dos Anjos, the current number nine ranked lightweight contender, is slated to make his Octagon return at UFC Vegas 78 later this weekend, taking on fellow Brazilian finisher, Vicente Luque in a headlining clash.

The Niteroi veteran made his most recent walk at UFC Fight Night Orlando back in December, returning to the winner’s enclosure with a second round neck crank submission win over Bryan Barberena in a welterweight division return, having previously dropped a fifth round KO loss to Rafael Fiziev in the pair’s lightweight main event.

Rafael dos Anjos appears to have taken a hit at the BMF title and its competitors

And ahead of his Octagon return against the returning, Luque this weekend, Brazilian veteran, dos Anjos has made a slight at the symbolic BMF title – currently held by former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje, pointing to the fact that he managed to strike undisputed gold in the UFC, and thus, doesn’t meet the requirements to compete for the symbolic spoils.

“I don’t think I make the requirements for that fight – to fight for the BMF [title],” Rafael dos Anjos told assembled media ahead of UFC Vegas 78. “I’m a former champion. I held the undisputed belt. Guys that fight for the belt never held a championship before.” 

And striking undisputed lightweight gold in dominant fashion back in March 2015, the veteran dos Anjos turned in a one-sided unanimosud decision win over the defending, Anthony Pettis – which came before a stunning first round TKO win over two-time foe, Donald Cerrone in the Brazilian’s sole successful title defense in December of that year.

Do you expect Rafael dos Anjos to win at UFC Vegas 78?

UFC’s Dana White: Conor McGregor Will Next Fight Michael Chandler, Not Justin Gaethje

Conor McGregor went into business for himself by calling out Justin Gaethje in the wake of the Highlight’s win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291. UFC president…

Conor McGregor went into business for himself by calling out Justin Gaethje in the wake of the Highlight’s win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291. UFC president…

Conor McGregor shares bizarre voice message as he clamours for BMF title fight in UFC return: ‘I’m a bad man’

conor mcgregorFormer UFC champion, Conor McGregor shares yet another bizarre Twitter voice note. At the moment, it is never quite clear what McGregor’s plans really are as the Irishman continues to do and say things that are frankly odd. However, the Irishman continues to promise a return to fighting, making regular call outs via social media. […]

conor mcgregor

Former UFC champion, Conor McGregor shares yet another bizarre Twitter voice note.

At the moment, it is never quite clear what McGregor’s plans really are as the Irishman continues to do and say things that are frankly odd. However, the Irishman continues to promise a return to fighting, making regular call outs via social media.

McGregor also continues to post regular training clips and pictures, but his matchup with former The Ultimate Fighter rival coach, Michael Chandler, is no closer to being made.

In the latest questionable McGregor moment, the 34-year-old posted a Twitter voice note in which he would breath loudly while loud music plays in the background, before going on a strange rant.

“I’m a bad man, a bad, bad man,” McGregor said. “A bad, bad man. The baddest”

“I’m the baddest man that’s ever-stood foot in that Octagon. Think about the baddest you can think, and then think of me looking down on it. That bad.”

Update on Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler

While it has seemed less likely that the matchup, UFC President Dana White gave a positive response when asked if about McGregor’s return.

“I talked to Conor, either yesterday or the day before, and yeah, he’s ready to fight,” White said at the post-fight press conference for DWCS Season 7, Week 1. “I said, ‘Listen, get in shape and let’s figure this out.’” (H/T MMA Fighting)

While McGregor’s return has been questioned, his opponent choice had also been in doubt after Justin Gaethje recently won the BMF title against Dustin Poirier. However White said it was ‘definitely Chandler’ when asked.

“He likes to f**k with everybody,” White continued. “You know what I mean? Especially his opponent, or possible opponents.”

When do you think Conor McGregor will return to the Octagon?

Justin Gaethje dubbed the UFC’s most dangerous fighter: ‘He ages like wine’

Justin GaethjeJustin Gaethje has always been one of the UFC’s most beloved fighters thanks to his balls-to-the-wall style of combat. But recently, ‘The Highlight’ has shown a new wrinkle in his game that could make him one of the most dangerous men in all of mixed martial arts. After coming up short in his lightweight title […]

Justin Gaethje

Justin Gaethje has always been one of the UFC’s most beloved fighters thanks to his balls-to-the-wall style of combat. But recently, ‘The Highlight’ has shown a new wrinkle in his game that could make him one of the most dangerous men in all of mixed martial arts.

After coming up short in his lightweight title bid against Charles Oliveira at UFC 274 last year, something has clearly changed with Gaethje’s approach inside the Octagon. Instead of marching forward and eating a strike in order to land one, ‘The Highlight’ has taken a much more measured approach without sacrificing what made him a fan favorite from the beginning. That was ever-present during his brilliant performance against Rafael Fiziev in March.

Justin Gaethje was evolving and at UFC 291, he fully emerged from the cocoon and became perhaps the most dangerous fighter in the UFC. At least, that’s what Gaethje’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, believes.

Justin Gaethje’s Manager Believes There is No Man More Dangerous in MMA Than ‘The Highlight’

Last month, ‘The Highlight’ lived up to his moniker, delivering a stunning second-round head kick KO against former interim champion Dustin Poirier to become the newly minted BMF titleholder. Speaking with TMZ Sports following his fighters’ latest W, Abdelaziz suggested that Justin Gaethje should be the most feared competitor in all of MMA today.

“I believe Justin Gaethje’s become wiser, become smarter, and he ages like wine,” Abdelaziz said. “And I think he’s very, very dangerous. He’s become defensively sound, but also is the most dangerous fight in the UFC today. I believe Justin Gaethje is the most dangerous fight in UFC history. I believe Justin Gaethje is the most dangerous fight in of all MMA. There’s nobody like him” (h/t MMA News).

With back-to-back wins and the BMF belt strapped firmly around his waist, Justin Gaethje will turn his attention toward capturing the one title that has eluded him thus far; the lightweight world championship. The Highlight’ has had two opportunities to capture the crown, but came up short in bouts against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.

In October, Oliveira will return to challenge reigning 155-pound titleholder Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. The winner of that bout will most likely find themselves tasked with taking on a new and improved Justin Gaethje in early 2024.

Justin Gaethje’s manager calls bullsh*t on Conor McGregor’s BMF callout: ‘He’s an old, beat up dirty dog’

Justin GaethjeJustin Gaethje’s manager Ali Abdelaziz is calling bullsh*t on Conor McGregor’s callout of the newly crowned baddest motherf*cker in the game. UFC 291 saw ‘The Highlight’ live up to his moniker, scoring a brilliantly-timed second-round head kick KO against Dustin Poirier more than five years removed from their 2018 Fight of the Years. With Justin […]

Justin Gaethje

Justin Gaethje’s manager Ali Abdelaziz is calling bullsh*t on Conor McGregor’s callout of the newly crowned baddest motherf*cker in the game.

UFC 291 saw ‘The Highlight’ live up to his moniker, scoring a brilliantly-timed second-round head kick KO against Dustin Poirier more than five years removed from their 2018 Fight of the Years. With Justin Gaethje now the toast of the town, it’s no surprise that the first fighter to target him was none other than ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor. The Irishman immediately took aim at Gaethje, suggesting that he would make quick work of ‘The Highlight’ and prove to the world that he is the only man worthy of carrying the BMF title.

Of course, the immediate disrespect from McGregor did not sit well with Justin Gaethje or his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who tore into the former two-division titleholder during a recent interview.

“I believe Conor is full of sh*t,” Abdelaziz told MMA Fighting. “I believe he don’t want to fight Justin. He’s not even a fighter right now. He’s a retired fighter. He’s a retired troll with a lot of money. That’s it. He drinks all day, smokes weed, he does drugs and he can do whatever he wants but he’s not even a fighter but he wants to talk about fighters. He wants to talk about real killers. Conor McGregor is not a killer. He wants to talk about killers. Conor McGregor is not a fighter, he wants to talk about fighters. Conor McGregor is not a man. He wants to talk about men.

“He wants to be in the conversation but in reality, he’s not like none of these guys. These guys put the work in every day. They train, they sacrifice, they leave their families. What he does, he does everything wrong and you want be in the conversation. He missed it. He misses the limelight and the only way he can be in the limelight to speak about these gladiators. He’s not a gladiator anymore. He’s an old, beat up dirty dog. That’s what he is.”

Abdelaziz Believes Justin Gaethje vs. Conor McGregor Only Ends One Way

Abdelaziz believes that if Conor McGregor is truly willing to sign on the dotted line for a fight with Justin Gaethje, it’s only going to go one way.

“This is the scenario that will happen: T-Mobile Arena, sold out arena, 20,000 people. Justin Gaethje walk into that cage, Conor McGregor walk into that cage, Conor McGregor gets brutally hurt, injured, knocked out,” Abdelaziz said. “I think Justin Gaethje’s notorious for punishing people for disrespecting him in a fight. Like [Dan] Lauzon, like Michael Johnson, like [James] Vick, we know what happened to all these people.

“But the scenario that will happen, I promise you this, you’re going to see an ambulance going straight to the cage, picking up Conor McGregor straight to the hospital.”

Despite his lack of wins over the last several years, Conor McGregor is still an undeniable draw that will bring in big-time money for the promotion and his opponent. With that in mind, it’s hard to imagine Justin Gaethje and Abdelaziz turning down the fight, but at this point, ‘The Highlight’ doesn’t need the Irishman’s attention.

If Conor McGregor is not next for Justin Gaethje, it will be a UFC lightweight world title fight against the winner of October’s rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira. Either way, ‘The Highlight’ is in line for a big money fight whether the Irishman is involved or not.

“If this is what he wants, and somebody is willing to write a check and Trevor Wittman give me the greenlight, and the UFC wants it, maybe,” Abdelaziz said. “But I believe Justin Gaethje don’t need Conor McGregor. I believe Justin Gaethje his next fight will be for UFC gold. He earned it. I think he and Islam Makhachev is going to be one of the biggest fights of the year. I truly believe. I think it’s a story built into it. Both my clients, love both guys, both great men, both guys have a lot of honor and that’s what it’s all about in this sport.

“But if you want to go and somebody really get hurt, sign the contract. He don’t want to fight Justin Gaethje. He only fights people coming from losses. He only fights people he thinks he can beat. He thought he could beat Dustin Poirier. You see what Dustin Poirier did to him and you saw, respectfully, what Justin Gaethje did to Dustin Poirier. I’m telling you, Justin Gaethje’s not going to just go there and knock him out with one punch. He’s going to brutalize him. You will never see Conor McGregor again.”