Justin Gaethje likes chances to beat Islam Makhachev better than he did Khabib Nurmagomedov
Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) will look to re-enter the title picture when he takes on Dan Hooker (24-12 MMA, 14-8 UFC) in a five-round lightweight co-main event (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) March 8 at UFC 313 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion, fell short twice in his pursuit for undisputed gold – suffering submission losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 and Charles Oliveira at UFC 274.
Makhachev has defended his lightweight title a division-record four times and already holds wins over top-ranked contenders Arman Tsarukyan, Oliveira and Dustin Poirier. However, he's yet to fight Gaethje.
"I want to fight Makhachev, he is the champ, and I do believe that he is a better matchup for me than Khabib," Gaethje said during a Q&A on his YouTube channel. "But he's good."
Although Gaethje was one of few fighters to ever win a round against Nurmagomedov, he's not confident that he could have beaten that version of "The Eagle."
"I think Khabib was probably the one that I felt even if I performed better, I'm not sure that if I could've beaten him that night specifically," Gaethje said. "That night that I fought Khabib, I would say he is my toughest opponent to date."
Islam Makhachev's coach: 'Biggest threat' Justin Gaethje no longer in UFC title picture
Justin Gaethje: UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev is not Khabib, and I want to prove it
Daniel Cormier reveals the incredible way that Khabib showed mercy on Justin Gaethje
Twitter reacts to Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement, finish of Justin Gaethje at UFC 254
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC 313.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Justin Gaethje likes chances to beat Islam Makhachev better than he did Khabib Nurmagomedov
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