Despite being a short-notice replacement for Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje told ESPN that he vows to unleash "pure hell" on Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 on April 18, when they'll clash for the interim lightweight title.
Gaethje believes the carnage in the Octagon will be so severe that the bout won't come close to going the distance
"My fights, either I get finished or they get finished inside three rounds," Gaethje said. "A matchup like this, with me and Tony Ferguson, one of us is going to finish the other inside three rounds."
The Ferguson vs. Gaethje bout was made official Monday, days after Nurmagomedov, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, made it clear that he was stuck in Russia quarantining from the coronavirus pandemic due to the country's COVID-19 travel ban. While fighting a caliber of opponent like Ferguson on short notice is less than desirable, Gaethje couldn't say no, considering that the interim lightweight strap is on the line.
He told ESPN that he expects to be at "about 95 percent" when UFC 249 rolls around next Saturday at a location that still hasn't been officially announced by the company just yet. Wherever the venue is, Gaethje hopes it's the backdrop to his coronation and the opening for a floodgate of cash.
"What an interim title means to me and every other fighter, when you are a champion, you get a piece of pay-per-view," Gaethje said. "When I attain this belt, that makes me a champion on paper, and that gets me pay-per-view points. I fight for money, and this opportunity is huge for me in that regard. Same with Tony. I think that's why he's taking it."
Gaethje (21-2) may need to produce the fight of his life to overcome Ferguson (25-3), who is riding a 12-fight winning streak and hasn't loss since May 2012.
Gaethje has won three straight fights entering the bout.
Both Ferguson and Gaethje count a victory over Donald Cerrone in their last time out in June and September, respectively.