Justin Gaethje is a professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He has a reputation for being one of the most exciting fighters in the sport, with a style that is both aggressive and technical. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the life and career of Justin Gaethje, including his fighting style, notable fights, and his path to becoming a UFC star.
Early Life and Career:
Justin Gaethje was born on November 14, 1988, in Safford, Arizona. He grew up in a family that was deeply involved in wrestling, with his father being a high school wrestling coach. Gaethje began wrestling at a young age, and eventually became a two-time Arizona state wrestling champion in high school.
After high school, Gaethje attended the University of Northern Colorado, where he continued his wrestling career. He was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American and finished his college career with a record of 119-30.
After college, Gaethje turned to mixed martial arts (MMA) and began his professional career in 2011. He quickly became known for his aggressive fighting style, with a focus on striking and knockout power.
Rise to Prominence in World Series of Fighting:
Gaethje’s rise to prominence in MMA began in the World Series of Fighting (WSOF), where he became the lightweight champion in 2014. He successfully defended his title five times and developed a reputation for being one of the most exciting fighters in the sport.
During his time in WSOF, Gaethje developed a close relationship with his coach, Trevor Wittman. Wittman helped refine Gaethje’s striking technique and helped him become a more technical fighter while still maintaining his aggressive style.
Notable UFC Fights:
In 2017, Gaethje signed with the UFC and made his debut against Michael Johnson. The fight was named Fight of the Night and was an instant classic, with Gaethje winning by TKO in the second round.
Gaethje’s next fight was against Eddie Alvarez, another established UFC veteran. The fight was another classic, with both fighters trading heavy blows and Gaethje ultimately losing by TKO in the third round.
In 2018, Gaethje faced off against Dustin Poirier in one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year. Once again, Gaethje put on a show, but ultimately lost by TKO in the fourth round.
Despite his losses to Alvarez and Poirier, Gaethje continued to be one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC. His aggressive style and knockout power made him a fan favorite, and his technical improvements under Wittman made him a more complete fighter.
In 2020, Gaethje faced off against Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight championship. The fight was another classic, with Gaethje dominating Ferguson and winning by TKO in the fifth round. The win earned Gaethje a shot at the undisputed lightweight championship against Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Path to Becoming a UFC Star:
Justin Gaethje’s path to becoming a UFC star was not an easy one. He had to work hard to refine his fighting style and become a more complete fighter, while still maintaining his aggressive and exciting style.
His close relationship with coach Trevor Wittman was a key factor in his success. Wittman helped Gaethje become a more technical fighter while still maintaining his aggressive style, and their work together helped Gaethje become one of the most dangerous fighters in the world.
Gaethje’s willingness to take on tough opponents and his exciting fighting style also helped him build a fan base and become a UFC star. Despite his losses to Alvarez and Poirier, he continued to be one of the most exciting fighters in the sport, and his win over Ferguson earned him a shot at the undisputed lightweight championship.
Conclusion:
Justin Gaethje is one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC today. His aggressive style and knockout power have made him a fan favorite, and his technical improvements under coach Trevor Wittman have made him a more complete fighter. Despite some setbacks early in his UFC career, Gaethje has shown that he has what it takes to be a champion, and his path to becoming a UFC star is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport.
Sources:
1. https://www.ufc.com/athlete/justin-gaethje
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Gaethje
3. https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Justin-Gaethje-82021
4. https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3115727/justin-gaethje
5. https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2020/10/23/21530048/ufc-254-justin-gaethje-journey-from-wsof-champion-to-ufc-title-challenger-k
