Justin Gaethje slams staph infection speculation views UFC 324 final shot at UFC gold

MMA social media is full of speculations, but to Justin Gaethje, this is all untrue. Less than three weeks remain until Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) and Paddy Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) square off for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on January 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (Paramount+). Images have been pulled from a YouTube video blog put out by "The Highlight," questioning whether he has a staph infection on his neck.Justin Gaethje quickly justified himself on social media, claiming that still images of his neck and lip are not even near what they've been made out to be, providing a different explanation on X."It’s an ingrown hair on my neck and brisket hanging out of my mouth, Nostradamus."Gaethje shifts his attention to his chance to win a portion of the 155-pound title and become the first two-time interim champion in UFC history after concerns about his health disappeared.The 37-year-old Justin Gaethje has said that he thinks the UFC wants Pimblett to win at UFC 324 to build up a grudge battle with Ilia Topuria for the undisputed title, but he vows to derail those plans and position himself for a showdown with Topuria at UFC White House this summer.Justin Gaethje sees UFC 324 as final shot at UFC gold. Justin Gaethje enters UFC 324 with a clear sense of urgency. At 37, he faces Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title while champion Ilia Topuria takes a personal hiatus. Gaethje plans on retiring on his terms and views this as his final opportunity to win UFC gold. The American plans to execute a near-perfect performance against Pimblett.He posted a preview of the fight on his YouTube account, claiming:“It would be foolish to think that this is the beginning of my career. This is my last chance. And this opportunity to finish my career off the way that I want to is everything that I could ask for. I fight Paddy for the interim championship, win that, and then I get to fight Ilia. He, right now, is the baddest man in my division, and some consider him across the board. So, what an opportunity to finish this career out exactly how I’ve fought the whole time."He added, “I fought the highest competition, I fought the best. I have not been perfect every night. I think it’s hard for people to understand that. I’ve had 38 fights, 31 professional, and these are 15-minute or 25-minute time slots, and it’s impossible to be perfect every time. So, the challenge right now is for me to be perfect for 25 minutes, seven weeks from now.”Also read: Justin Gaethje reveals surprising UFC opponent that intimidated him the most