Justin Gaethje knows that the end is near.
In January, Gaethje takes on Paddy Pimblett in the main event of UFC 324 with the interim lightweight title on the line. Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is currently
taking some time off to deal with personal issues , with no timetable on his return, so instead the UFC created this interim title fight, and at 37 years old, Gaethje knows that this is his last shot to win the belt.
“It would be foolish to think that this is the beginning of my career,” Gaethje said on his YouTube channel. “This is my last chance. And this opportunity to finish my career off the way that I want to is everything that I could ask for. I fight Paddy for the interim championship, win that, and then I get to fight Ilia. He, right now, is the baddest man in my division, and some consider across the board. So, what an opportunity to finish this career out exactly how I’ve fought the whole time.
“I fought the highest competition, I fought the best. I have not been perfect every night. I think people — it’s hard for people to understand that. I’ve had 38 fights, 31 professional, and these are 15-minute or 25-minute time slots, and it’s impossible to be perfect every time. So, the challenge right now is for me to be perfect for 25 minutes, seven weeks from now.”
The former World Series of Fighting lightweight champion has had plenty of success in the UFC in his eight years in the promotion. “The Highlight” beat Tony Ferguson for an interim lightweight title in 2020, and is a former “BMF” title holder as well. However, despite two previous attempts to win it, the undisputed lightweight title has eluded Gaethje, and he knows that is what he’s fighting for come January.
“I’m planning on fighting perfect, and when I fight perfect, I think that you have to get lucky to beat me,” Gaethje said. “But the challenge is still ahead. I have to be perfect that night. There’s a lot of things, a lot of variables. It’s one day at a time for now. I worked my ass off last week, I’m going to work my ass off this week, and these days are going to add up. I’m going to be very, very ready, and very prepared, and very confident in my ability to knock Paddy out and earn my title shot on the UFC White House card. That’s my plan. And I think if I could do that, that’s the best way I can ever imagine finishing off my career.”
And as for what comes after that? Well, Gaethje plans to cross that bridge when it comes to it.
“If I beat Ilia, we’ll see what happens after that,” Gaethje said. “I’m not worried about that. Right now it’s Paddy.”
UFC 324 takes place on Jan. 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
