Justin Gaethje had no hesitancy when picking his top 4 all-time greats.
While not amongst one of the best by way of ability and accomplishments across UFC history, Gaethje is widely considered probably the most exciting fighter to ever step foot contained in the Octagon.
‘The Highlight’ will look to prove as much and once more live as much as his nickname at UFC 324 in Las Vegas on January 24. Gaethje will fight Paddy Pimblett within the predominant event, with their interim lightweight title fight being chosen to top the primary card on Paramount+.
Although his focus is on his next task within the cage, Gaethje recently took a moment to get entangled within the MMA Mount Rushmore debate.
- LATEST NEWS: UFC urged to ‘forgive’ Arman Tsarukyan by legend who was also once in Dana White’s bad books
Name the fighter who made you fall in love with MMA
Justin Gaethje includes fan favorite Chuck Liddell on his MMA Mount Rushmore
A clip from the previous interim UFC lightweight champion’s first interview with Paramount was recently posted on social media, as he gears as much as kick off the $7.7 billion partnership with the streaming platform on the T-Mobile Arena.
A standard query got here up, with Gaethje asked to pick out his 4 decisions for the Mount Rushmore of MMA. The talk has long split opinion, with a bunch of various former champions and legends earning spots on some high-profile selections.
Dana White’s MMA Mount Rushmore once caused a stir, with the UFC president’s decision to incorporate Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey receiving backlash.
Gaethje went more conventional together with his, choosing the frequent trio of consensus GOAT Jon Jones, former middleweight and welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, and 185-pound legend Anderson Silva.
The fourth spot is usually changing from individual to individual, with some favoring women’s GOAT Amanda Nunes and others giving the nod to the likes of Demetrious Johnson.
For ‘The Highlight’, Chuck Liddell earned his place during a profession that included becoming UFC light heavyweight champion and saw him credited with playing a job in making MMA a mainstream sport.
While the UFC president didn’t include ‘The Iceman’ himself, he likely wouldn’t be against Liddell’s inclusion given the high regard he holds the previous fighter in.
The truth is, Liddell was answerable for White’s favorite moment contained in the Octagon.
“When Chuck Liddell knocked Tito Ortiz out,” White said when asked to call his most satisfying MMA moment during an interview with GQ Sports in 2022.
“That was my favorite, favorite moment that has ever happened in UFC history,” he added.
- LATEST NEWS: Cris Cyborg reacts to longtime rival Kayla Harrison’s UFC 324 withdrawal: ‘You might have to wonder…’
Justin Gaethje snubs Mount Rushmore contender who choked him out
Along with his 4 picks, Gaethje unnoticed one other common selection who rendered him unconscious back in 2020.
Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Gaethje before announcing his retirement from mixed martial arts at UFC 254 and ending his profession with an ideal 29-0 record.
Many have suggested that the Dagestani hung up his gloves too soon to be considered alongside Jones and St-Pierre as a candidate for overall GOAT status.
And the work of Nurmagomedov’s protege at 155 kilos, current UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, has also stirred debate about whether ‘The Eagle’ still occupies the all-time lightweight throne.
Join the controversy; share your insight. Use the comment button on the underside left to have your say