The excitement level for UFC 313 is at its peak with the blockbuster event now just one more sleep away.
This past Thursday, the UFC 313 pre-fight press conference took place with Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev coming face to face for the first time before their main event on Saturday night.
Also on stage was Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev ahead of their sensational co-main event, which was put together on late notice after Dan Hooker withdrew from his fight against Gaethje.
Gaethje and Fiziev shared a hilarious interaction on stage as they were asked their opinions on ‘The Highlight’ being the underdog heading into their fight.
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Justin Gaethje drops retirement hint whilst signing UFC 313 posters
Gaethje hasn’t fought since his devastating KO loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 last April but ahead of this fight, he has stated that he wants one more run to the lightweight title.
Despite being widely regarded as one of the most exciting fighters to ever step foot in the Octagon, Gaethje believes he’s been ‘too safe’ in his recent fights and wants to revert back to his old style, prior to the UFC.
If he does in fact score an emphatic win over Fiziev, Gaethje could join Donald Cerrone in an exclusive club of earning $1million in post-fight bonuses.
However, just a few days out from his comeback fight, the 36-year-old has dropped a hint on his retirement whilst signing UFC 313 posters.
“Yeah, I have a spot for like two more (posters), right above the couch,” Gaethje said during an episode of UFC Embedded.
“It’s amazing I’ve made it on so many posters, this is probably like the tenth one I’ve been on,” he continued.
Gaethje hopeful of earning one more lightweight title shot before retirement
At 36 years old and with the miles he has on the clock, it is fair to say Gaethje’s time dedicating his life to the sport is limited.
And with that, the former interim lightweight champion gave an insight into his life outside of fighting, claiming that anyone else would ‘not like my life’.
However, before ‘The Highlight’ hangs up his gloves, he is hopeful of earning at least one more undisputed lightweight title fight and he believes, with a win over Fiziev, he could be next to challenge Islam Makhachev.
Makhachev has stated he would like to fight Gaethje instead of a potential super-fight against Ilia Topuria, however, Topuria recently teased at some huge news, potentially hinting at a lightweight title fight.
Only time will tell whether Gaethje will fight for the undisputed title again before bowing out of his incredible career in the UFC but a win at UFC 313 will certainly put him in the conversation.