Justin Gaethje says it would have taken a fortune to get him into the sport of bare-knuckle boxing.
Gaethje’s coach says he will retire if he loses in his interim lightweight title fight at the first UFC event of the year.
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Despite winning the belt, some are not optimistic about Gaethje’s chances of unifying the titles in June’s titanic clash with Ilia Topuria at the White House.
If this is “The Highlight’s” last dance, it will take a lot of convincing to get him to continue fighting outside the Octagon.
Photography: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Justin Gaethje says it will take $10 million to play for BKFC
Justin Gaethje has 15 post-fight bonuses in 15 UFC fights, making a strong case that he is the most exciting fighter in the sport.
Bare knuckle boxing isn’t for everyone at the top level, but his method seems to be. There’s always been a certain craziness to the way he fights, and that’s reflected well in BKFC.
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When he was at BKFC 88 in Denver on Friday night, the question of what it would take for him to consider jumping ship was raised.
“Oh my god, I think my mom is going to actually kill me,” he replied in a video posted by BKFC. “I’m a wrestler, so when all else fails, I’m supposed to wrestle, even though y’all will think and know that’s – a lie, but… 10 million.”
Gaethje also said after winning the interim belt that he expected to retire in mid-2027.
A tough knockout like the one against Max Holloway could push him out sooner, but even if things go his way on June 14, he won’t rule out withdrawing from the fight.
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“I would never say publicly that I would be done after that, but it’s going to be a battle and if I achieve that, if I succeed, then it’s not a stupid idea to not do it again.”
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