Khabib Nurmagomedov: How I will finish Justin Gaethje

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is by far the most dominant champion in league history. And, curiously for a champion in a sport that is dominated by wrestling, notably folkstyle, he’s never faced a top wrestler in the UFC. Dustin Poirier wrestled in high school. Al Iaquinta wrestled in high school and at Nassau Community College. Michael Johnson was a top NJCAA wrestler, but was never Div I. Pat Healy wrestled Div II, but without great distinction.

Justin Gaethje on the other hand was a Div I All American, and he uses his wrestling to keep the fight standing, where he can thrill the fans. However, at the UFC 254 virtual media day, “The Eagle” said the gameplan will remain the same.

Nothing changes, said Nurmagomedov. I’m going to try wrestling with him. If he’s going to defend my takedowns for a long time, I’m going to try second, third, I’m going to try 100 times. Of course, I’m going to box with him. I’m going to kick with him. It’s going to be kickboxing and wrestling mixed.

I think he has good wrestling defense, very good wrestling defense. He knows how to wrestle. He’s wrestled almost all his life. But I don’t think the last five, six years, he used his wrestling how I use. Because I always use my wrestling. In training, inside the cage, because wrestling and top control, this is what make me champion. I don’t think the last couple of years he becomes a very good wrestler.

He has the base, like you have when he was a kid, but right now everything has changed. Of course, he knows how defend if someone try to take him down and we all know about his conditioning, too. If I’m going to attack him the first two rounds, the third round I think he’s going finished. Because he don’t have good conditioning.

I think my fighting IQ is much better than Justin Gaethje. He’s just a tough guy. He like fighting. He like blood. He’s like real warrior but when we talk about fighting IQ, I think my fighting IQ is much better than he has. Of course, Justin can fight. He can go deep. He has heart. But if you’re talking fighting IQ, I think I have much better than him.

My goal is to make him tired. I’m going to make him tired. This is my goal. Maybe round No. 3 or round No. 4, my plan is finish him.