Justin Gaethje shrugs off nasty head kick during training for next fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254
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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.
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“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.”
talkSPORT brings you live and exclusive coverage of UFC 254 this Saturday. Listen on talkSPORT.com from 7pm, while coverage will get under way on talkSPORT 2 from 8pm
9-year-old Khabib Nurmagomedov wrestles a bear as a child in Dagestan