Khabib Nurmagomedov’s unexpected retirement from the UFC in 2020 sent shockwaves through the fanbase and media alike. Widely revered as perhaps the most dominant champion in UFC history, his decision to step away at the pinnacle of his career sparked both widespread admiration and a degree of criticism.
His farewell performance saw him defend his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje in a highly anticipated unification bout. Gaethje had previously secured the interim title by defeating Tony Ferguson earlier that year. Going into their contest, “The Highlight” Gaethje was frequently cited as Khabib`s toughest test to date, primarily due to his formidable wrestling prowess. Nevertheless, Khabib reaffirmed his unparalleled dominance by securing a second-round submission victory over Gaethje.
Khabib`s Unexpected Praise for Gaethje
Throughout his remarkable UFC tenure, Khabib maintained an almost pristine record. His only genuinely contentious fight was against Gleison Tibau, a bout that even Joe Rogan controversially suggested Khabib might have lost. Despite effectively handling Gaethje, Khabib later offered him a surprising and significant compliment. During an episode of Mike Tyson’s “Hotboxin” podcast, “The Eagle” named Gaethje as the most powerful opponent he had ever faced.
“He hit like a truck. Nobody hit me harder than Justin Gaethje, his kick, his punch, his left hook, his right hook, right uppercut,” Khabib declared, emphasizing Gaethje’s exceptional striking power.
Indeed, Gaethje is widely acknowledged as one of the most powerful lightweight fighters in the sport`s history, celebrated for his relentless fighting style and participation in numerous memorable UFC encounters.
Gaethje`s Realistic Take on the Compliment
Despite receiving this high praise from Khabib, singling him out as the hardest hitter, the 36-year-old Gaethje maintained a grounded perspective. He recently shared his thoughts on social media, underscoring that while the compliment was noteworthy, it ultimately did not alter the outcome of their championship fight.
“I hit him really hard, I hit him really hard,” Gaethje reflected. “I kicked him really hard and then hit him with a good right hand. Hearing Khabib say I hit him the hardest doesn’t feel that good because he still beat me. I still did not win the championship so, I mean it’s, yeah I don’t know, it’s cool.” His candid response highlighted his primary focus on achieving championship status.
What`s Next for Justin Gaethje`s UFC Lightweight Title Ambitions?
Earlier this year, Gaethje delivered a stark ultimatum to the UFC: if he is not granted the next lightweight title shot, he would retire from professional fighting. This bold declaration, however, did not sit well with UFC president Dana White, who publicly dismissed it as “whacky” and even suggested Gaethje should indeed retire if that was his stance.
Since then, no definitive advancements have been made regarding the next lightweight title fight. White recently teased that Ilia Topuria is likely to defend his title during the UFC`s inaugural event on Paramount. The identity of Topuria`s opponent, however, remains uncertain, with Gaethje and British contender Paddy Pimblett—who shares a protracted feud with Topuria—both being considered. Gaethje`s championship aspirations currently hang in the balance.
