Justin Gaethje has so many incredible fights under his belt that some classics, like the one that happened on this day a decade ago, may be forgotten.
There isn’t a nickname that would suit the former interim UFC lightweight champion better than ‘The Highlight’.
It’s hard to think of a fighter who has delivered incredible fights at the rate of Gaethje, which some believe should earn him a title shot next time out.
The 36-year-old finds himself in a bit of a difficult position right now having stated that he would retire if he didn’t get a shot at the belt.
While Gaethje’s frustrations with the UFC have brought his career to a halt for the time being, there will always be his incredible catalogue of bouts to look back on.
Justin Gaethje beat Luis Palomino in a war for a second time on this day in 2015
Before Justin Gaethje stopped Michael Johnson to announce himself to UFC fans in 2017, he was already building a reputation as one of the most entertaining fighters in the sport.
‘The Highlight’ became the inaugural World Series of Fighting (which later became the PFL) lightweight champion in 2014 and kept hold of the belt until he signed to the UFC.
In that time, he successfully defended the title five times, with two of his defences coming against the same man.
Gaethje’s first clash with Luis Palomino at WSOF 19 in March of 2015 is exactly what you’d expect from the champion in this part of his career.
A wild fight, where both men were hurt, ended in the third round after Gaethje battered his opponent with his unorthodox leg kicks.
On this day a decade ago, they met for a second time at WSOF 23, where the defending titleholder was badly hurt in the first round.
However, once again, Gaethje was somehow able to withstand the damage coming at him to gradually wear Palomino down with his constant pressure and output.
Gaethje, who mixed in takedowns unlike in his UFC career, closed the show in the second round with a staggering fast-ball right hand after staying in his opponent’s face from bell to bell.
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Luis Palomino has gone on to become one of the staples of BKFC
Despite having 43 pro MMA fights on his record, Luis Palomino hasn’t competed in this ruleset since May of 2019.
Instead, he has spent the last five years being one of the top names on the BKFC roster, having reigned as the promotion’s lightweight champion before vacating the title last year.
Palomino made BKFC history in 2022 when he became the promotion’s first simultaneous two-weight world champion after beating Elvin Brito for the welterweight belt.
The 44-year-old last fought this past March where he defeated Howard Davis via unanimous decision to win the inaugural BKFC King of Streets championship.”