Interim lightweight champion Gaethje and undefeated defending champion Khabib will clash for the title at UFC 254 on October 24 at a yet unconfirmed venue, which is likely to be the Island of Wrestling in Abu Dhabi.

The American has laid out his plans for the Russian, promising that he will counter his oppressive fighting game.

Gaethje advanced by saying that We are not going to fight. There is going to be a zone in front of me. It is not very big. It is going to be a death zone, and I have to represent death every time he enters that zone.

He indicated that he has never stopped coming out of the cage without his opponent being absolutely devastated by physical damage, while Khabib was never seriously damaged.

In addition, he pointed out the greatest weakness of the Russian fighter, which, in his opinion, is believing himself invincible.

Gaethje claimed that the adulation that Khabib enjoys in his homeland and beyond simply creates a culture that brightens up his ego, but would actually prove to be his downfall.

Far from shunning Gaethje’s rallying cry, Khabib seemed to welcome the comments.

Khabib had recently issued a warning to Gaethje, saying that he would “take him to the deepest ocean and drown him” when they clashed.

In addition, Khabib is accelerating his preparations for the showdown with his North American rival, which will be the first time he has stepped into the octagon since defending his title against Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi in September 2019.

It will also be the Dagestan star’s first match since the death of his father and coach Abdulmanap in early July from complications stemming from a coronavirus infection.