LAS VEGAS – Justin Gaethje continues to chase the UFC lightweight title.
Justin Gaethje (23/4) MMA, 6-4 UFC), has failed to win undisputed gold twice against Khabib Nurmagomedov and, more recently, Charles Oliveira in UFC 274 on April 2. He has remained silent during the aftermath of his second loss but is now ready to talk about his future.
He said that he will be out of action for several months while he prepares for a pending nose surgery. This is something he has been suffering with for over a decade. Gaethje stated that he will make one last push for the top once he is healthy and ready to begin a training camp.
Gaethje said that he would have nose surgery on July 14. Take a month off to heal and then get back to work. End of the year is most likely, but not before next year. (I’ll still be there). I know there are a few fights coming up, so I will let them happen. I would like to make it to the title fight with a couple or three more fights. It is something I really want, and I do so because I have a great manager. I will be willing to fight.
“I have waited 13 years for someone from MMA to break mine nose, but it hasn’t happened. It was broken in wrestling practice 13 year ago and it’s been hell ever since. Every night, I must wear a nose drip to go to bed tonight. Eating, sleeping, living, training, fighting. I don’t know. I’m not even sure what my f*cking sound like. This has been a long wait. It’s impossible to do so, so I’m going for it and trying to win the title.
Gaethje was close to capturing the title from Oliveira in a wild UFC 274 fight. Although he knocked down the Brazilian in the first round, he said that he became too wild and made costly mistakes on the way to being submitted.
Gaethje, who was fighting in front of a Phoenix crowd from his home state, said that the moment overcame and led to his downfall.
Gaethje stated, “It’s a crazy thing we play.” It’s why I love it. It’s a game about inches. It’s a game of inches. Sometimes, you can lose control of your emotions when you are at home in front my crowd. It’s not clear what happened. It was the best time of my entire life. It’s an amazing game.
