UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has suffered a nasty injury while in training.
Gaethje is preparing for his upcoming title unification bout with lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and clearly hasn't been taking it lightly by any stretch of the imagination.
'The Highlight' took to Instagram to show off a deep cut on his chin after being caught with an accidental headbutt.
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Gaethje will be needing some stitches right away but he's got plenty of time for it to heal - with UFC president Dana White saying he expects the bout to go ahead in September in Abu Dhabi - the location of the promotion's 'Fight Island'.
The 31-year-old produced a career-defining performance in his last bout in the main event at UFC 249 when he decimated Tony Ferguson en route to a fifth round TKO victory.
Conor McGregor was poised to be in the frame for facing Ferguson once it emerged his bitter rival Khabib was unable to compete, but it was Gaethje who stepped up and took the fight before doing the business inside the Octagon.
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After a bit of social media back and forth with the Notorious fighter, Gaethje broke down how a fight would play out if the two ever squared off.
"Distance control is the No. 1 factor in any fight," the American told ESPN.
"It's established in the first 30 seconds. It's not visible, but it's established, and that would be a huge factor in our fight.
"Who can control the distance? I think the best thing about me is I can kick the sh*t out of people, so when they are trying to control distance or maybe they are winning at that, I can kick them in the leg and try to reset that. So I think I would knock him out to be honest.
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"I think he's got about three rounds, and then it's hell, and he doesn't want to go to hell, so I think he's good for now."
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor Mcgregor, Justin Gaethje, UFC News, MMA News, UFC, MMA
