Undefeated fighter Justin Gaethje has had a busy schedule being a coach at The Ultimate Fighter s🍸how and preparing for a big fight at UFC 218, but said he's excited for both the show's finale and🌌 his upcoming fight.
Gaethje spoke to Fightful's James Lynch days before he is set to fight former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 218 in a battle of coaches from this past season of "The Ultimate Fighter" where one of his fighters, Roxanne Modafferi, will fight🍒 for the inaugural UFC Women'💃s Flyweight Champion. Gaethje said he enjoyed the experience and🀅 would do it again.
"TUF is a big platform and that's the reason the UFC had me there. Hopefully, they're trying to push me or whatever the case may be. I enjoyed it. I would do it again, but preferably not after a fight," Gaethje said.
Speaking of Alvarez, Gaethje had some high praise for the former UFC champion, but also said Alvarez is a just another step for Gaethje as he tries to climb the UFC ladder after winning his debut fight at "The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale."
"It doesn't matter. He's a former champion, one of the best in the world and that's who I want to showcase my talents which is the best. He's a good stepping stone," Gaethje said.
With a win over Alvarez, Gaet♏hje would further improve his already impressive 18-0 MMA record. Gaethje recognizes that a stopp💖age win over a former UFC champion would put him in position for a big fight next, but his focus at the moment is to win at UFC 218.
"No indication [of that possibility]. I don't look past my opponent. Eddie is sitting over there. He's a dangerous man and I got to take him out. In this day and age, it's how you win. Obviously, you have to win, but now it's how you win. If I go out there finish him quickly and brutally, I'm going to take a step in the right direction," Gaethje said.
The Ultimate Fighter𓆉 26 Finale takes place on December 1 and UFC 218 takes place on December 2. Fightful will have live👍 coverage of both of those events. Gaethje's interview with Lynch can be seen in the video above.
