Justin Gaethje is hands down one of the most violent and entertaining fighters in the UFC. For a fact Gaethje famously known as ‘The Human Highlight’ has been awarded a record 11 fight-night bonuses since 2017, that’s the most for any fighter in the entire organization. His latest bonus came against top lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286, earning a majority decision victory after a three-round war with the ‘Ataman’.
After the fight, Gaethje had some bold words to say about the three-round war, “My coach told me. I heard him saying, ‘Stay on the jab.’ Once I landed the first three, I couldn’t believe how clean I was landing,” Gaethje said. “There’s different kind of shots that you land in there. When you feel the full force of energy go in direct lines through their head, it’s a different shot. That’s what I was feeling. He wanted to taste my blood, but unfortunately he was drowning in his blood. I’m happy about that.”
Can Justin Gaethje capture the lightweight Gold?
Gaethje, 34, isn’t the youngest fighter in the lightweight division. He made his UFC debut back in July 2017 and since then has only fought the top crème of lightweights. The former interim lightweight champ last fought for the title at UFC 274, where he got submitted in the very first round.
According to Gaethje himself, this would be his last run for the lightweight title. While interacting with the media after the fight, he said “It’s [retirement] not been in my mind. It’s the fact of the matter, I’m 34 years old,” Gaethje added. “I’m gonna take the fights that I need to take to get to the position that I want to be. There’s countless examples of reasons not to go longer than you should in this sport. I’ll probably refuse to do that.”
Lightweight for the longest of times has been one of UFC’s marquee divisions, now with Gaethje gearing up for a final crack at the lightweight gold, there are plenty of exciting matchups one could think of. Although there aren’t many lightweights that Gaethje already hasn’t fought. But no one will want to miss the opportunity to see him rematch Dustin ‘Diamond’ Poirier or the former champion Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliviera. Another exciting phase for the lightweight division.
Who would you like the former title challenger to take on next?
