“If my striking isn’t better, then I am f**ked,” Justin Gaethje extremely cautious of champion Charles Oliveira’s striking after UFC 269


“If my striking isn’t better, then I am f**ked,” Justin Gaethje extremely cautious of champion Charles Oliveira’s striking after UFC 269

Justin Gaethje-Charles Oliveira

On one hand, we have “The Highlight” Justin Gaethje having won a Fight of the Year candidate in his war against Michael Chandler in the last quarter of this year. The fight that was years into talking, finally took place and shook the Madison Square Garden with the back and forth these former world champions of their previous promotions had to offer. Gaethje not only got his hand raised that night at UFC 268 but also got another opportunity for a title fight bestowed to him for his performance.

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On the other hand, the very next month, not so long ago, the reigning defending UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira made his first title defence against the toughest opponent in the entirety of his UFC career ie. Dustin Poirier. Having beaten world champions that included Gaethje as well, Poirier was the heavy favourite going into the fight.

Little did people realise that Oliviera had more ways to beat Poirier than otherwise and there the MMA community got it all wrong. At UFC 269 that happened this past week, Oliveira not only submitted Poirier in the third round but did so a minute faster than Khabib submitting Poirier back in 2019. With that said, Oliveira silenced his critics that doubted his heart as a fighter.

Justin Gaethje doesn’t underestimates Charles Oliveira’s striking as the former prepares for his second title shot

Charles Oliveira submitting Dustin Poirier
Charles Oliveira submitting Dustin Poirier

In his interview with ESPN Correspondent Brett Okamoto, Justin Gaethje talks ahead of his next fight which is supposed to be a guaranteed title fight against Charles Oliveira and would likely happen in the second quarter of next year. Regarding Olveira’s striking, Gaethje said, “At the end of the day, if my striking isn’t better than [Charles Oliveira’s], then I’m f**ed, per say. This is where I am great… He’s incredibly dangerous in the striking department… but I better be better or else I’m gonna be in a fucking world of trouble.”

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Charles Oliveira Michael Chandler
Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler

Appreciating Oliveira’s striking comes from someone who has won 19 of his 23 fights via knockout. Thus Gaethje is trying to be as respectful to Oliveira’s complete game as possible to better be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

Who do you get it winning between Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje? Yes, the fight is as exciting as possible and although Gaethje is super cautious of Oliveira’s striking, he cannot overlook the fact that at the end, it’s the ground where Oliveira is going to take the fight. That’s why Oliveira puts the threat of getting knocked out to his opponent so that he can proceed for the unseen. Without a doubt for this year, Oliveira is the best lightweight in the world right now and Gaethje has a chip on his shoulder to take that crown away the next year.

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