Justin Gaethje Says He Doubts Himself In His Training Camps

Justin Gaethje spoke with MMAjunkie about his fight with Ozzy Dugulubgov at WSOF 33 and more. Some highlights are below:

On a fight with featherweight champion Lance Palmer: “I’ll meet (Palmer) at 152.6 (pounds). [lauchs] No – the last two or three pounds were tough, but like I said, I do perform well whenever I have to do that to myself. I mean, hell, for the right money, yes, you are correct. I learned some tough-ass lessons in wrestling, and this is the way I perform. I perform the best whenever I do my weight cut correctly.”

On doubting himself: “Every camp, I doubt myself. I’m constantly doubting my work ethic, and I think that’s what makes me get up. Every day of this fight, I told myself that Ozzy is better than me, that Ozzy is training harder than me. So I have no other option than to get up and to push myself 100 percent every day. I have a lot to prove in this sport. I take it one fight at a time, and each training camp is the biggest fight of my life.”

On his training camp: “It’s not lack of confidence, by any means. You have to be content with every outcome and, with four-ounce gloves – obviously it’s not easy for them to hit me, but it just takes one shot. (Luis) Palomino hit me with a couple that should have put me to sleep, so I don’t know why they didn’t, but as long as I am content with my training camp, then I’m content with the outcome. I know in my training camp I will not take a shortcut, I won’t drink a soda in 12 weeks. If I was to lose, then I’d be content because I’ll know for a fact that I did everything that I have.”

On Dugulubgov: “This guy, he throws a hell of a spinning back kick. If that lands on your head or your liver, it’s not going to feel good. You’re probably going to go to sleep or have to quit. I put pressure on people. He needs space for all those things he does well. He’s going to have some pressure on him for this fight. I’m coming after him. I’m coming blazing this fight. This fight I will put him in a dog fight.”