LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 07: Justin Gaethje celebrates after defeating Michael Johnson in their lightweight bout during The Ultimate Fighter Finale at T-Mobile Arena on July 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Justin Gaethje says he turned down a fight against Tony Ferguson
At UFC 238, Dana White and the UFC were looking to beef up the card. The pay-per-view had two-title fights on it, but they thought it wasn’t enough. So, they wanted a very interesting lightweight bout, which they got in Donald Cerrone vs. Tony Ferguson. That fight ended up delivering where Ferguson won by TKO to extend his winning streak. However, that was not the original plan, rather it was Justin Gaethje vs. Ferguson, Gaethje revealed to TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter.
“They called me to fight Tony (Ferguson), it was four weeks notice. I can’t do that. I can’t go in there compromised,” Justin Gaethje explained. “It is a huge opportunity to miss out on but I asked them (the UFC) if they could push it until Saturday (UFC 239), but they couldn’t do it. So, ‘Cowboy’ got the bid. I mean I would love to fight Tony. I want to fight the Russian (Khabib). I got to get through Tony, or through one of those guys.”
Although the fight could not be made, Justin Gaethje says he doesn’t deserve that fight now. Rather, he believes Tony Ferguson should be fighting for the title next and nothing else. Which, many fans and media alike can get behind.
“I think Tony earned his shot at the title. I think he would be foolish to fight me or anybody before he fought the winner of Khabib vs. Poirier. So yea, that is my answer.”
In the end, Justin Gaethje is still waiting for another fight but the alway entertaining fighter wants to fight soon. In a stacked lightweight division, he deserves a top-five opponent, especially after his last fight. Who that will be is up in the air, but Gaethje is just ready to get back to work and get another win on his record and continue his climb up the lightweight rankings.
