Justin Gaethje wants to go back to the fighting style that made him a UFC -Superster.
'The Highlight' Sensational Eliminated UFC Bogeyman Edson Barboza and James Vick during a pulsing first run with lightweight gold.
In recent years, Justin Gaethje has adjusted his Gung-Ho-Vecht style and made a high-profile decision on Michael Chandler and Rafael Fiziev, which he will rematch on UFC 313 on Saturday evening.
However, his slightly more defensive approach did not work at UFC 300 when he suffered a brutal face plant knockout with another second left of his BMF title fight against Max Holloway last April.
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Justin Gaethje reflects on Max Holloway Ko
Gaethje took almost a full year off to recover from what Joe Rogan believes it is the largest KO in the UFC history.
During that time, the 36-year-old came to the conclusion that he must be more aggressive when he fights and focus less on the amount of bumps he takes.
“I think this career is just crazy,” said Gaethje during an interview with TNT Sports.
“Every fight that you go inside there, and you can't keep information from the fight, but after the fight if you look afterwards [you can].
“I found success in the Chandler fight and the Fiziev fight by being passive than I once used to be. I used to be a very aggressive, forward hunter – but then I concentrated that I was not being hit and did not suffer any damage. At the end of the fight, their face was still pulled up and I got the victory.
“I think I bought that style a little too much. Especially against a man like Max Holloway, who is so fast and can cover the range so well. It really bit me in the A – that night.
“It is a giving and taking how aggressive you should be. To take on an attitude where you say: 'I am not touched' is harmful to the hunter that I am. I think that was ultimately what happened. It was something I had to learn. I learned the hard way.
“If you have viewed me in the World Series of Fighting, I think I have to tap that guy a little more.”
Justin Gaethje Eyes Title Fight
Islam Makhachev quickly submitted Renato Moicano to defend the lightweight title on UFC 311 in January.
There is currently no number one competitions on 155 pounds, so Gaethje could insert himself in the title interview by bouncing losses to Holloway on UFC 313.
The American has shown interest to be confronted with Makhachev after he was previously choked by his teammate, Khabib Nurmagomedov, on UFC 254 in October 2020.
“I go inside and get a finish with an excellent achievement like I always do, I think I will be one of the boys that they are considering fighting,” Gaethje told Jim Rome.
Only the time will tell who will get the next crack at Makhachev. Ilia Topuria is another option after he recently left his featherweight belt to pursue glory in another division.
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