Justin Gaethje and Archie Colgan are teammates who have been huge influences on each other, pushing each other to become better versions of themselves.
Next up, Gaethje will fight July 29 in Salt Lake City, Utah, against Dustin Poirier for the “BMF” Championship at UFC 291. Colgan will fight June 16 in Chicago, Illinois, against Emmanuel Sanchez as part of Bellator 297.
Colgan and Gaethje turn around relatively quickly from their recent fights, which isn’t always easy, especially when you’re expecting a baby like Archie Colgan. In an interview with CageSide Press, Colgan explained, “Camp was great. I never had a chance to get out of shape. I had the fight Friday and I got the call Monday with a fighting chance. As for my wife, she’s just ready to do it.” Colgan won his last fight by TKO over Justin Montalvo, putting him in the top 10 of the Bellator rankings, and now looks to put Emmanuel Sanchez on a five-fight losing streak.
“The Highlight” Gaethje picks up a huge win over Rafael Fiziev back in March as well and puts up a huge turnaround fight against the seriously dangerous Poirier. Justin talked about batting, saying, “The game plan was to get him to miss; the more he missed, the more tired he’d get. He doesn’t throw in a one-two. He throws a three-four and a five-and that takes a lot out of you. The goal was to stay 3 to 4 inches out.” than I usually do, and no matter who I fought against, I eventually touched them with something and caused great damage.” Now Gaethje is in a position to return to the title picture and avenge the loss he suffered to Poirier in 2018.
Gaethje wasn’t fond of fighting for belts if they weren’t the real belts. When asked about fighting for “BMF”, he said, “My real appreciation when Masvidal and Diaz fought for it was that this is stupid, and I still think it’s stupid, but for the fans who think it’s stupid, another chance to earn Pay-Per-points.” View. This belt is a championship in the eyes of the UFC, and when you’re a champion in the eyes of the UFC, you get paid differently. The UFC throws bones, we always tell them to throw bones, and they never do that, so I’m grateful for that.” Gaethje said he and Poirier both deserve to fight for the BMF title.
Gaethje spoke about the Poirier fight and how much he’s grown since 2018. Gaethje said, “Since that fight, I’ve grown; I’m five years older, and there’s been a lot of big fights since then. I think it’s going to be a chess match where we’re both trying to do damage. In our fights Championship, it’s about who makes more mistakes, so in the end I have to be perfect.” This fight with Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje should also show who is next in the 155-pound title fight.
Archie Colgan and Justin Gaethje went on to express their appreciation for Ali Abdulaziz, with Gaethje saying, “I’ve been with Ali for a long time, he’s the best manager in the market, no one will make money or get opportunities with anyone else like Ali. People think he’s a snake, But he is a serpent in your grass, and if he does not fight for us, he is not doing his work.” Archie went on to say, “Ali has a lot of oomph with these organizations; I signed with Bellator last year in July and have been in four fights; no one has been this active.”
Gaethje and Colgan also spoke about some of their other influences and supporters, such as their parents and Kamaru Osman. “My parents have been in every fight except for Ferguson and Khabib, but they put themselves into a lot of debt to allow me to travel the world and compete, and my goal was to give them back. I bought my dad a truck and a fifth wheel, and they made the sacrifices to get me here, and they love me unconditionally.” Or condition, win or lose,” Gaethje said. Colgan said: “Usman was one of my favorite fighters before I met him. African bonds and ex-wrestler, then I came to practice one day and he was there, then we formed a good relationship, friendship and teammate. It’s great to watch him work, and now there’s no fly-on.” wall; I’m in business with him.”
Justin added, “I think it just adds to the atmosphere; he and I and Archie live similar lives, and we push ourselves a little harder. It just adds a more competitive vibe to the room, which makes us all better.”
Colgan’s goal is to be in the top five of the Bellator rankings by the middle of next year if a Grand Prix tournament doesn’t stop him. Gaethje wants to become world champion by the middle of next year. Both of these fighters plan to be world champions, however, their path continues. For Colgan, it’s June 16th in Chicago, and for Gathje, it’s July 29th in Salt Lake City.
Watch our full interview with UFC 291’s Justin Gaethje and Bellator 297’s Archie Coglan above.