Justin Gaethje almost forced to pull out of UFC Vancouver

This Saturday in the main event at UFC Vancouver, exciting lightweights Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Justin Gaethje collide. The bout is expected to be a fan-friendly, highly violent affair, and one that viewers around the world are looking forward to. This makes it all the more shocking that the bout almost had to be cancelled.

In the media obligations leading up to UFC Vancouver, Gaethje detailed some serious health issues – that could have cancelled the fight.

“I’ll be honest to everyone, I’m wearing these sunglasses because I almost didn’t make it to this fight,” Gaethje told media present ahead of UFC Vancouver. “I had an eye infection and I’m through that now. I’m 100-percent ready to go. I’ve fought blind my whole life so unless my eyes are cut out, I’m fighting.”

“I’ve seen many doctors and I’m cleared,” Gaethje clarified. “It doesn’t matter [when it happened]. I’m here and I’m ready to fight, baby.”

Luckily for fans around the world, the main event will continue as planned.

Gaethje enters the bout with back-to-back first round knockout wins. He first returned to the win column by knocking out rival James Vick early in the first round. He then extended his win streak by finishing Edson Barboza, both bouts earned Gaethje performance bonuses. Gaethje is the betting favourite over “Cowboy”, who enters the bout with a TKO loss in hos most recent outing. Despite this, MMAnytt partner Ohmbet have released an odds boost on Gaethje, offering seven times the bet if Gaethje wins.

Tony Ferguson will be the next in line for a title shot against lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, an impressive showing from Gaethje or Cerrone could easily put them in a good position to fight for a title in the near future.

Who wins at UFC Vancouver: Justin Gaethje or “Cowboy” Cerrone?