The Daniel Cormier Show - Justin Gaethje on putting Paddy Pimblett TO SLEEP, guarantees White House fight

Quick one before fights: how’s that golf content going, and are you using me for it?

If I don’t play you and take your money, who’s paying for my next round and gear—you're basically funding the tours.

Paddy just said you looked twitchy at the face-off; what did you take from that?

I love that he’s convinced himself of that because it makes him overconfident; I’m keyed up to compete, not scared, and if I land clean he goes out.

You’ve said you’re okay with the worst outcome—how do you get there?

I accept what I can’t control and pour everything into prep and discipline; if someone beats my best, I still wake up with my people behind me, even though I hate losing.

He’s predicting you’re done in three; where’s that coming from?

Probably the echo chamber around him; I don’t talk in guarantees, I assume he’ll hit me, and that acceptance frees me to hurt him back.

Were you surprised by how he got through Michael Chandler?

Not really; Chandler burned his early gas wrestling a jiu-jitsu guy, and with his pace you either conserve or swing big.

You’ve lived five-round wars and he hasn’t fought a current top-ten; does that matter?

I hope it shows, but it all collapses to twenty five minutes where I need to be perfect.

The main starts earlier; did you adjust camp hours?

Yeah, I shifted this week to evening sessions to match the slot.

Last time I dominated our spar—would you do better now?

You’re a heavyweight for a reason; I’d hunt your liver, but getting enough torque through that frame might take some doing.

The first interim felt odd to you; how would this one land now?

That one was COVID-empty with Khabib looming; now I’m older and I respect that interim pays and reads like undisputed on paper, so I’ll appreciate it.

What do you make of the Sarukian situation if you win?

Not my concern; he shouldn’t be throwing heads, but he’s dangerous, the top five can all beat each other, and I’m always betting on myself.

You chase adrenaline—any fear this week or just buzz?

I call that feeling excitement, and I’m fired up for this one.

White House card talk with Masvidal and McGregor—do you want that stage?

If that card happens, I’m on it; me and Kayla Harrison will be chasing belts there—book it.

Justin Gaethje meets Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324, and by the way, folks keep telling me Dustin Jacoby’s the best golfer in the UFC.

He’s got me by a sliver on handicap, and you’re still a twenty-something who cheats—we spot you way too many strokes.

Good luck this week; talk soon.

Take your anxiety meds and enjoy the heart-rate spike—I can’t wait.