Justin Gaethje lost to lightweight GOAT Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event Saturday’s UFC 254. In a post-fight interview with Jon Anik, “The Highlight” made no excuses, but said Nurnagomedov was in a bad spot, until he wasn’t, winning via Technical Submission.
The knee jerk response is a dismissive eye roll, but two of three judges did see Round 1 for Gaethje. This is just the second round Nurmagomedov lost in eight years in the big show. The other single round was vs. Conor McGregor.
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It sucks, I’m hurt, said Gaethje. It’s emotional. Ultimately, it’s the name of the game, man. I had him in trouble. I wasn’t very many kicks away from him not being able to walk. He’s going to limp … limping for at least the next three weeks. That’s nothing to be proud of because I lost, but, I felt alive … I felt great. I believe I did a great job of causing damage. Keeping the distance, controlling the distance, threatening and causing damage. I caused damage in there.
I know he was in a bad spot. Even if he wasn’t, he did what he had to do. Took me down. He is very strong. I know he made his father so proud.
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Khabib retired in the Octagon, to focus on his role as head of household. As the youngest son, Khabib, and later his wife and now three children lived with his parents, as is traditional in Dagestani culture. With the death of his father Abdulmanap due to complications from COVID-19, the champion assumed the role as head of household, in a culture that takes such things more seriously than might often be the case in the West.
With his retirement, the UFC will now have to decide on a plan to crown the new champion, from among these four fighters:
1. Justin Gaethje
2. Dustin Poirier
3. Tony Ferguson
4. Conor McGregor
McGregor and Poirier as scheduled to fight, which would seemingly leave Geathje to fight Ferguson for the belt, but given how decisive their fight was, that seems unlikely. Play matchmaker UG. What would you do?
h/t Dan Hiergesell for MMA Mania
