Justin Gaethje is renowned as one of the most exciting fighters in the sports history and with that comes big risk and big reward.
Justin Gaethje has been away from the Octagon since his UFC 300 loss against Max Holloway last April, which saw Gaethje knocked out within the last second of the fight.
Gaethje finally returns to action on March 8 at UFC 313 to take on Rafael Fiziev in what is guaranteed to be a war of a rematch.
Originally, ‘The Highlight’ was scheduled to take on fellow all-action lightweight, Dan Hooker, however just over a week out from the fight, Hooker withdrew because of a hand injury.
Justin Gaethje issues warrior response to unscene UFC 300 footage
Ahead of his fight against Fiziev at UFC 313, Gaethje admitted that he thinks he has been ‘too safe’ in his recent fights and will drop that style as he looks to claim another lightweight title shot.
Despite Gaethje’s admission, he is widely regarded as one of the most exciting fighters the sport has ever seen and is consistently involved in classic fights.
And his UFC 300 battle against ‘Blessed’ Holloway was a perfect example of that. After an incredible five rounds of action, their fight was awarded 2024 Fight of the Year but it was one to forget for the 36-year-old.
The Arizonan was knocked out pretty brutally in the final second of the fight, left face down on the canvas, completely unconscious.
Fortunately at the time, the cameras cut away and followed Holloway for his post-fight celebrations. However, since then, concerning footage has emerged of Gaethje on the canvas, shaking whilst unconscious.
“Great reminder of what’s at stake. Live by the sword die by the sword. It’s all I know,” Gaethje commented on the footage.
One fan also commented on Holloway’s celebration, claiming that if it was the other way round, Gaethje may not have celebrated as much.
“I was trying to do the exact same thing to him. I might’ve backflipped on him. There is no controlling the sudden rush of emotions,” Gaethje respectfully replied.
Could Justin Gaethje earn a title shot with a win at UFC 313?
Despite having been involved in multiple extremely taxing fights, ‘The Highlight’ is still hopeful of going on a run that eventually sees him win the lightweight title.
The top of the 155lb division is currently in a relatively strange place as number one and two ranked, Arman Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira, likely won’t get the next shot at Islam Makhachev.
That seemingly leaves the door wide open for the former interim champion, and to help his case even further, Makhachev has recently stated that he would like to fight Gaethje.