UFC debate: Khabib Nurmagomedov or Justin Gaethje – who wins in undisputed lightweight title fight?
- SCMP MMA argues each fighter’s credentials with interim champ Gaethje looking to be first man to topple undefeated Khabib
- UFC president Dana White is targeting the blockbuster bout for ‘Fight Island’ in September, if all goes to plan
If all goes to plan for the UFC, Justin Gaethje will become the latest lightweight pretender to try to take the throne from Khabib Nurmagomedov later this year.
UFC president Dana White has earmarked the fight for September after Gaethje stunned Tony Ferguson to win the interim lightweight title at UFC 249 on May 9.
Ferguson was a heavy favourite for the rescheduled main event at an empty VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, after Nurmagomedov became stranded in Russia.
“El Cucuy”, a former interim champ himself, was of course supposed to fight the UFC’s lightweight champion on April 18 in Brooklyn, only for the global Covid-19 outbreak to scupper the match-up for a remarkable fifth time.
But Gaethje put on a stunning performance to shock the MMA world and turn the UFC lightweight division on its head, earning a shot at “The Eagle” and the title of undisputed champion.
The American is clearly confident, despite the Russian’s daunting 28-0 undefeated record.