Oliveira’s next challenger? It’s Gaethje. He’s taking a lot of hits, I’m gonna break his face, he says

No sooner has Charles Oliveira defended his title for the first time than he has another challenger. He is Justin Gaethje, who was promised a title fight by UFC boss Dana White. How does the American slugger rate the champion and what does he think of his fight with Dustin Poirier?

Charles Oliveira was able to defend his title at UFC 269, defeating the favored Dustin Poirier. His next opponent will very likely be Justin Gaethje, who has had one of the best fights of the year, beating Michael Chandler in an incredible shootout.

Gaethje has also reportedly been promised by UFC boss Dana White. That’s why he attended the gala in person. He wanted Oliveira to know he was waiting for him.

“He is now the undisputed champion. I can’t wait to fight him. I don’t care when or where, but hopefully it won’t be from Abu Dhabi. I can’t wait to smash his face in,” Gaethje expressed on the UFC 269 post-fight show.

He said he saw a few flaws in Oliveira’s fighting style in his fight with Poirier. In particular, he overlooked the fact that the Brazilian was landing a lot of punches. In the first round, Poirier clearly outshot him, landing over 50 significant strikes while only landing around 20 himself.

Gaethje, however, made no mention of Oliveira’s great ground skills. Poirier preferred not to even try to stand up from the ground in the second round for fear of a submission. Yet it was on a submission that he was finished in the third round, and a standing one at that.

Oliveira and Poirier had Gaethje excited. After the first two rounds, he didn’t know who would win. However, he expected the American to win, but he didn’t.

“If someone had asked me after the second round what was going to happen, I wouldn’t have known what to say. That’s why I love this sport. You never know what’s going to happen. That’s why I can’t wait to fight Oliveira,” Gaethje said.

If this title fight happens, it’s definitely something to look forward to. It will be another anticipated spectacle.

Source: UFC, MMA Fighting