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Justin Gaethje made a thunderous statement on Saturday night at UFC Philadelphia.
The 30-year-old lightweight competitor knocked out Edson Barboza at 2:30 am in the first round of UFC Philadelphia's main event, which was held at the Wells Fargo Center and broadcast live on ESPN. Barboza is shot down by a perfect right hand, giving Gaethje the first knockout round in the first round after his victory over James Vick last August. And for Gaethje, who came back in the title race with the win, Saturday night was more than painful.
"My God, it's such a ruthless sport," Gaethje told UFC Philadelphia's post-fight broadcast on ESPN +. "I mean, we work so hard. I have been working for 12 weeks, day after day, made so many sacrifices, and the doubt of myself continues to try to infiltrate, continues to try to s & # 39; introduce. And I'm sure it happens to anyone who's hard work, or everyone in life, but you have to keep moving forward. And that's all I do.
"Believe in my preparation, believe in those with whom I have surrounded myself. It's crazy, man. I'm shaking. It's really hard to control that now. "
Gaethje's performance against Barboza was similar to Vick's in that the former WSOF champion entered UFC Philadelphia with a much more measured approach than his old fighting methods. Gaethje later revealed that this strategy was a conscious decision on his part and that he had been focusing on perfection since losing his undefeated record following consecutive KO / TKO losses against Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier.
"After these two defeats, I really could look in the mirror," Gaethje said. "Before, I was unbeaten and I really did not take the time to make the changes because I did not know what was wrong. I had so much success. But now, my ability to slow things down is so amazing. I did not know I could do it. I did not know that I had this skill. But yes, it's a lot more a brain experience for me, and I like that. The last two fights have been so different from my two others. "
Gaethje's best guess is this.
The UFC Lightweight division is a crowded and confusing place right now, especially at the top. The trio of Tony Ferguson, Conor McGregor and UFC Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov are all out in the near future. Poirier and featherweight champion Max Holloway are expected to face April 13 against UFC 236 to win a lightweight title. The other three men currently ranked above Gaethje, with the exception of Barboza – Al Iaquinta, Kevin Lee and Donald Cerrone – are already registered.
Ninth in the standings, Paul Felder is Gaethje's closest light-weight on the 155-pound list of the UFC, and he was, coincidentally, an anchor in the post-season show. ESPN + combat. Felder respectfully threw his own name on the hat when Gaethje was asked about the sequence of events – and Gaethje's response was abrupt.
"You do not want that to happen to you," said Gaethje, smiling at Felder.
Gaethje added that Nurmagomedov was the main target he was focusing on, and he is committed to doing all that is necessary to reach the undefeated champion of Dagestan.
"When the time comes, you have to kill or be killed," Gaethje said. "It means you or me. I do not care who it is. It could be you (Felder), it could be Nate (Diaz), it could be Donald (Cerrone), it could be Khabib (Nurmagomedov). I'm mad. I'm on my way to Khabib and I want to fight him. I think I'm the most difficult match for him. "
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