Justin Gaethje shrugs off nasty head kick during training for next fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254

It takes a lot to knock Justin Gaethje down and the lightweight contender has been proving as much during training for his fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov.

In September, a video emerged of the American taking a brutal kick to the head, which would floor mere mortals.

For Gaethje, though, he shrugged it off like nothing happened.

UFC commentator Joe Rogan has described the 31-year-old as ‘the most violent man in the most violent sport’ and now Gaethje has a chance at becoming lightweight champion on Saturday, having beaten Tony Ferguson to set up a title showdown.

It will be a tough task, however, with Khabib having an MMA record of 28-0, beating all challengers in the division, including Conor McGregor.

Gaethje himself is 22-2 and won his last four UFC fights to set up the clash with the current champion.

Whatever happens it will be a fight not to be missed as Gaethje has won a fight night bonus on each of his seven trips to the Octagon in the UFC.

He said on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast: “There’s going to be a zone in front of me, it’s not very big.

“It’s gonna be a zone of death, and I have to represent death every time he enters this zone.

“That’s what I’m best at, creating carnage. Creating car crashes.

“I have never not come out of the cage with my opponent not being broken from physical damage.

“He’s never not walked out with a lot of physical damage, so we’re going to see who’s going to impose their will.

“It’ll be interesting. I do think it’ll be a battle for the ages.”