UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje reacts to potential match-up between Nate Diaz vs Khamzat Chimaev, and blasts him for mocking his loss against Khabib Nurmagomedov
The UFC’s plans for International Fight Week just got a whole lot more interesting. Fans were worried about the fight week, considering that all big superstars of the organization were either sidelined, or had fought already. But looks like the UFC has got some extensive mega plans, that includes Stockton superstar Nate Diaz.
Nate Diaz has been importuning the UFC for a fight against Dustin Poirier- a fight that in most likelihood will be his last in the company. Diaz has some major plans outside the company, details of which are still unknown. If experts are to be believed, the UFC top brass does not want to book Diaz in a fight in which he has a significant or even slight advantage over his opponent.
On a recent episode of the Pivot podcast, Dana White serendipitously gave fans a bit better look at just what the UFC has in mind. Notably, a series of mock-up fight cards at UFC offices—which include a planned middleweight title fight between champ Israel Adesanya and top contender Jared Cannonier, along with the return of Khamzat Chimaev against none other than Nate Diaz.
This is the second time the UFC has tried to book this fight since Diaz turned down the fight last time stating the Chechen hasn’t fought elite competition yet. If the rumours are true, Chimaev caught Diaz’s attention with his showing against Gilbert Burns.
Justin Gaethje claps back at Nate Diaz for his recent comments, but gives him props if he matches up against Khamzat Chimaev
Nate Diaz had mocked Justin Gaethje ahead of UFC 274 for his loss against Khabib, and the ‘Human Highlight Reel’ did not take kindly to that. He addressed the criticism during pre-fight media scrum and said, “That motherf*cker has lost over 15 times, like, come on,” Gaethje said. “So for him to be criticizing me for one loss, I found it funny. And I think he’s jealous because he’s done. He’ll never be here. He’ll never be fighting for a world championship. He’ll never achieve a world championship. In the history books, I’m already a world champion. I don’t like it. I don’t accept it. I need to make it right on Saturday but I’ll be in the Hall of Fame. He should be, too, but just because the fans love him.”
But he also gave Nate props for reportedly accepting the fight against Khamzat Chimaev, but made it clear that the Stockton superstar has no chance against the Chechen. “I heard he turned down Khabib about 20 times. So for him to sh*t on me for losing to Khabib, I find that hilarious. But if he’s fighting Khamzat next, then I have to give him some credit. … Of course (I don’t think he’ll win). But I’m a fan of the sport because anything can happen at any time. He’s not going to outwrestle him. He doesn’t even have the power to shut someone’s light out on accident. So, no. No chance. He has a zero percent chance – a one percent chance.”
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