“Everyone’s gonna be shocked because i think i’m gonna knock him out. People won’t expect that. People just think i’m going to grapple and take him down, but i’m not. I’m going to come out and put it on him. I don’t see him getting past the third, just like chandler.”

– via Red Corner MMA, claiming that he will shock everyone by knocking out Justin Gaethje and stating that he has no intention of relying on grappling

“I will win this interim belt and then i will beat ilia [topuria] up and take the proper belt. Defend that and i will go up and win the welterweight belt.”

– via Red Corner MMA, outlining his ambitious plan to win the interim lightweight belt, defeat Ilia Topuria for the undisputed title, defend it, and then move up to welterweight to win that championship as well.

“2026 is going to be the biggest year of my life. I'm coming for that interim title, then I'll be making it undisputed title when I come and beat Ilia Topuria up. Then little posh boy [Arman]... I'll punch his head in as well”

– via the UFC, outlining his plans for 2026 to win both the interim and undisputed lightweight titles, and then fight Arman Tsarukyan.

“2026 is going to be the biggest year of my life. I'm coming for that interim title, then I'll be making it undisputed title when I come and beat Ilia Topuria up. Then little posh boy [Arman]... I'll punch his head in as well”

– via the UFC, outlining his plans for 2026 to win both the interim and undisputed lightweight titles, and then fight Arman Tsarukyan.