video review : Khabib Nurmagomedov versus Justin Gaethje at UFC 254

video review : Khabib Nurmagomedov versus Justin Gaethje at UFC 254

“Number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world”? My reply to such a bombastic claim is probably not; there are a lot of unknown fighters in the world; but it seems Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently the best pound-for-pound fighter in The UFC. He’s also one of the best ever, which makes news of his retirement; he announces it in his post-fight interview after an emotional salute to his father; that much more impactful.

I thought Justin Gaethje’s chances of winning this bout were being overhyped by MMA fans, but he does even worse than I guessed. That’s not so much a criticism of his skills; he does manage to land a few of his “patented” leg kicks, which Nurmagomedov doesn’t have much of an answer for; but how long he lasts. At not even two full rounds, it’s the champion’s quickest victory since pummeling Thiago Tavares back in 2013.

my rating : 4 of 5

2020

video review : Tony Ferguson versus Justin Gaethje at UFC 249

video review : Tony Ferguson versus Justin Gaethje at UFC 249

Tony Ferguson should’ve waited for Khabib Nurmagomedov. That’s easy to say in hindsight, of course, but I was thinking it when their latest scheduled fight, which was supposed to take place here, was canceled for the fifth time and Justin Gaethje stepped in as a replacement.

Gaethje might, in some ways, be a harder opponent. The amount of times Ferguson gets popped with power shots clean to the face is staggering. It’s a testament to his “chin”, but, aside from a nasty uppercut at the end of Round 2, he doesn’t have much of an answer for it.

my rating : 4 of 5

2020

video review : Dustin Poirier versus Justin Gaethje at UFC Fight Night

video review : Dustin Poirier versus Justin Gaethje at UFC Fight Night

Head punches versus leg kicks; that’s the story here. It’s Justin who almost cripples Dustin while taking repeated, albeit partially blocked, shots to the face. It’s standup action; the fight goes to the ground for just a second; that pauses only when a fighter gets poked in the eye.

Justin Gaethje gets a stern warning from Herb Dean the first time he does it. He gets a point taken away the second time. Dustin Poirier then gets a poke in of his own before going on to win via TKO in what has to be one of the most enthralling fights in each of their careers.

my rating : 4 of 5

2018