Justin Gaethje is able to get again to work.
The previous interim UFC light-weight champion and one-time “BMF” champion revealed that he’s began coaching and getting ready for a return to motion on March 8 at UFC 313, which is anticipated to happen on the T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas. Whereas Gaethje admitted nothing has been finalized but, he talked about the identify of his potential opponent with the struggle already simply eight weeks away.
“So there’s no official struggle signed however I informed the UFC possibly two or three months in the past that March was the date I used to be searching for,” Gaethje stated on his YouTube channel. “I do know there’s a struggle March 8 in Las Vegas in order that’s the one I informed them I wished to be on. I believe they’re determining fights proper now however I’m definitely mentally getting ready, bodily getting ready to struggle on that date.
“I believe it’s going to be Dan Hooker however with the UFC, issues can at all times change. However that’s what I’m getting ready for, mentally, bodily for that struggle March 8. So again to work. Feeling good, able to go.”
Gaethje vs. Hooker makes good sense given the lay of the land within the light-weight division. Based mostly on the UFC’s inside rankings, Gaethje sits at No. 3 whereas Hooker is behind him at No. 6 however neither fighter has been booked lately in order that matchup appears affordable.
Hooker most lately fought this previous August at UFC 305 when he scored a break up resolution over Mateusz Gamrot to increase his total win streak to 3 in a row. Hooker additionally picked up a break up resolution over Jalin Turner to proceed his climb up the rankings at 155 kilos.
As for Gaethje, the at all times thrilling light-weight hasn’t made an look since UFC 300 when he suffered a brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway in a shocking conclusion after they confronted off for the “BMF” title this previous April. Gaethje ended up falling within the closing second of the struggle after which took day off afterwards to recuperate from the knockout.
Now it seems Gaethje is able to resume his profession with a struggle in opposition to Hooker almost definitely serving as his return to the octagon.
“Coming off a knockout, I’m actually excited to get again to coaching,” Gaethje stated. “If you take a loss like that as aggressive as we’re, it lights a hearth underneath your ass and we’re getting again to work.”