sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Justin Gaethje Reacts To Fight With Khabib Nurmagomedov Taking Place Before August

Justin Gaethje Reacts To Fight With Khabib Nurmagomedov Taking Place Before August

Dana White recently revealed that he wants to hold the title fight between Justin Gaethje and Khabib Nurmagomedov before the end of June.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

UFC star Justin Gaethje has dismissed the idea that he will fight the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov at Dana White's 'Fight Island' before August.

The newly-crowned interim lightweight champ sent shockwaves throughout the MMA world last week by defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249.

And now Gaethje, 31, firmly has his eyes set on challenging Khabib for the UFC lightweight championship.

However, the 'Highlight' has ruled out a showdown with Khabib in July and insisted that he would most likely fight in August or September.

"I'm not fighting in July. F**k that!" Gaethje said in his post-fight interview.

"[I will] probably [fight] in August, September. Something like that."

PA
PA

White's Fight Island has been part of the UFC chief's plans to host MMA fights amid the coronavirus pandemic.

And he recently revealed that UFC would book Gaethje's clash with Khabib on Fight Island next month.

"I don't know if it will be the first one, but it will be on Fight Island, unless miraculously the world comes back together faster than I think it's gonna," White told ESPN 1000 Chicago.

"Hopefully it [Fight Island] will be done by mid-June, and I could put on a fight that weekend that it's done or end of June."

Ferguson, 36, saw his 12-fight winning streak come to an end last Saturday after Gaethje stopped him in the fifth.

PA
PA

'El Cucuy' was initially scheduled to face fierce rival Khabib last month in a hotly-anticipated clash for the lightweight championship.

But the mega-UFC showdown between the pair was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and Khabib being stuck in his native homeland of Russia.

Ferguson took to social media after his war with Gaethje and congratulated him on his victory, saying it 'just wasn't his night.'

Khabib, 31, also took to Twitter after the UFC 249 clash and sent out a classy message to former interim lightweight champ Ferguson.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, UFC News, MMA News, UFC, eagle, MMA