Justin Gaethje is looking to follow in the footsteps of Nate Diaz, Matt Sera and Holly Holm on Saturday, in springing one of the sport’s biggest ever upsets.
Gaethje will face Russian MMA superstar, Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is unbeaten in 28 bouts in the octagon.
Khabib is best-known for his dismantling of Conor McGregor back in 2018. He stopped the Irish fighter in round four of their contest and won again in his sole appearance of 2019 – choking Dustin Poirier into submission in the third.
American, Gaethje, doesn’t enter the bout with a similarly perfect record. He’s already suffered two UFC defeats in his career.
However, back in May he registered an impressive win over Tony Ferguson. Stopping him with a punch in the fifth round after being knocked down himself earlier in the fight.
Gaethje showed his skill in fighting from range and will likely want to attempt a similar strategy against Khabib this weekend.
The US fighter is now on a four-match winning-streak which he will look to continue against the highly-rated Russian, as the headline act of UFC 254.
If he can spring an upset, it would compare to some of the sport’s most surprising.
Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz – 2016
Nate Diaz’s win over Conor McGregor, back in 2016, is a landmark example. The iconic Irish fighter stepped up to welterweight and was overwhelmed against a naturally larger fighter in Diaz, who won by submission in round two.
The UFC has thrown up some surprising results over the years, which will no doubt whet fans’ appetites for another potential upset this weekend.
Ronda Rousey vs Holly Holm – 2015
Another huge upset in 2015 saw outsider Holly Holm stop Ronda Rousey in the second round of their bout. A pin-point kick to the head saw the former kickboxing champion upset the odds in style.
Georges St-Pierre vs Matt Sera – 2007
Way back in 2007, Matt Sera showed that even the biggest names in the UFC can be beaten. He defeated Georges St-Pierre, knocking him out spectacularly in the first round.
St-Pierre went on to avenge the loss a year later, but it’s another landmark upset in a sport that always gives hope to the underdog.
Justin Gaethje will be hoping to become the latest, as he takes on Khabib on Fight Island this weekend.