Following his devastating knockout loss against Max Holloway at UFC 300 this past month, Justin Gaethje revealed that he will take a considerable amount of time out so that he can recover properly.
Justin Gaethje could’ve sat out and waited for a lightweight title shot on June 1st, but instead decided to defend his ‘BMF’ title against Max Holloway on April 13th.
After suffering a knockout in the final seconds of the fight, Gaethje saw a fight against Islam Makhachev slip away from him.
Speaking for the first time since his loss, Justin Gaethje reflected on the fight and revealed that the biggest mistake he made was by not realising how much danger he was in during his fight camp.
The 35-year-old also admitted that he will take at least six months off from contact training, outlining how important it is to recognise that time away is needed after suffering a bad knockout loss.
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier, though, doesn’t think ‘The Highlight’ is that far away from earning another title shot.
Dustin Poirier benefitted from being in the right place at the right time
Ahead of his UFC 299 fight on March 9th against Benoit Saint-Denis, Poirier told Daniel Cormier that he felt as though he was only one big win away from a title shot, and after benefiting immensely from timing, he was correct.
After number one contender, Arman Tsarukyan turned down the quick turnaround offer to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 302, the title shot was given to ‘The Diamond’, because he was the only lightweight near the top who wasn’t booked and was coming off a win.
This will likely be the 35-year-old’s last chance at winning undisputed gold, as he has made it clear previously that he only has one more run to the title.
Daniel Cormier compares Gaethje’s situation to Dustin Poirier’s
Speaking on the recent episode of Good Guy Bad Guy, Daniel Cormier compared Justin Gaethje’s current situation to that of the situation that Dustin Poirier found himself in, after being knocked out by Gaethje at UFC 291.
“(Dustin Poirier) goes out and knocks out Benoit Saint-Denis (after his loss to Gaethje), Islam (Makhachev) doesn’t have an opponent, bang insert Dustin Poirier, it always works.
“I believe that Justin Gaethje is in the same situation. Justin Gaethje is one win away from ultimately standing across the Octagon from the champion because he’s that popular, he’s been that important and all of the things he’s accomplished since he got to the UFC.” Cormier added.
With Gaethje taking at least six months off, the lightweight title picture could look entirely different by the time he returns to action.
“I think it’s great for him not only in terms of resting his brain, but I think it’s great because you can sit back and look at everything from the side and watch these absolute savages go and kill eachother and then when you come back you go ‘maybe I’ll take that guy’, because you’re Justin Gaethje.” Cormier finished.
‘The Highlight’ has historically mentioned how he won’t stick around for longer than he needs to, after having accomplished almost everything in the sport, however, he may decide one more run to the title is on the cards.