Justin Gaethje has earned his reputation for entertaining slugfests. But “The Highlight” knows that the end is approaching.
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While addressing the media ahead of Noche UFC, the former interim lightweight champion talked about how much he has left in the tank.
“I got more one getting knocked [out and] put to sleep,” Justin Gaethje said referring to his last time in the Octagon.
The 30-fight veteran suffered a crushing KO at the hands of Max Holloway in the closing seconds of their UFC 300 five-rounder. The loss snapped a two-fight win streak and stripped Justin Gaethje of the BMF title.
The former All-American wrestler with Mexican roots cites his recovery from the brutal finish as the reason why he is only attending UFC 306 as a spectator and not a competitor. “If I didn’t get knocked out in April, it would be awesome but just wrong timeline,” he said.
While his self-imposed hiatus prevented him from making the walk this Saturday, Justin Gaethje is ready to plot his return to the Octagon.
“I said I was going to take six months before I sparred. It’s been four and I’m going to have a difficult time making it six because I’m itching. I think I’m going to give it another month before I spar and then get back to camp, so we’ll see.”
Justin Gaethje Sees Path for Another Title Shot
Even with the loss and champion Islam Makhachev believed to be facing Arman Tsrukyan next, Gaethje doesn’t feel that a shot at undisputed gold is that far-fetched.
“There’s another opportunity for somebody like how Dustin Poirier stepped in. There’s not a clear contender…Obviously, I’ll have to fight and win and then I’m right back in there,” he said.
Related: Justin Gaethje Next Fight: 3 Opponent Options For ‘The Highlight’ Including Jorge Masvidal
Poirier rebounded from his KO loss to Gaethje at UFC 291 with a highlight reel win of his own eight months later. That victory set him up for a shot at Makhachev at UFC 302.
Gaethje singled out four opponents that could pave the way for a similar opportunity. “I have a list. I think [Dan] Hooker, [Charles] Oliveira, Poirier, and [Alexander] Volkanovski is a list of four people that I think would do for me what I need to do to get back in the picture.”
Hooker, who just scored an upset win over Mateusz Gamrot last month, seems particularly appealing to him. Gaethje agreed with his proposed adversary that the pairing “sounds like a one way trip to the hospital.” “I mean, you’ve seen us both perform many times,” he stated.
“Literally just yesterday I was like ‘fighting is f*cking awesome. I want to try it. And now look at this sh*t. I’m from the middle of nowhere Arizona. It’s crazy that I’ve made it this far. And yeah, it’s been an amazing ride…I’ve got 13 fights and 13 bonuses…It’s been fun. It ain’t over yet, but it ain’t the beginning.”
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