The scary one-shot knock-out power of Justin Gaethje has made him a top lightweight competition.
'The highlight' let the famous UFC -Boogeyman Edson Barboza cold when they fought in March 2019.
It was a fight that improved his KO line to two in a row after his collision of August 2018 with James Vick.
Justin Gaethje smelled his lightweight rival so much that his chin was destroyed forever.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Justin Gaethje melted James Vick with one shot
The career of Gaethje as a top candidate hung in the balance after back-to-back ko losses against Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez but he proved that he was a legitimate title threat by running Vick in UFC Nebraska.
The Ultimate Fighter 15 semi-finalist was on a four-field win racing since Beneil Darisuh in 2016 Ko'd Ko'd.
There were no real signs of fragility until the 9-1 American was cracked by Gaethje after just 87 seconds.
Vick got trapped against the fence before he was caught with a huge overhead right that stood him to the UFC Octagon floor in the first way.
Gaethje landed a follow -up shot, but it was not necessary because Vick was with big eyes and cold.
The former UFC star has been kissed four times since watching Gaethje. He was recently left in a coma for 'a few days' after he was caught on a switch from colleague -MMA veteran Rafael Alves at Karate Combat 47.
What is the next step for Justin Gaethje?
Seven years after his fight with Vick, Gaethje remains one of the best 155 pound hunters throughout MMA.
Another UFC title fight could be on the horizon if he gets through Hooker in Las Vegas on 8 March.
The lightweight duo will clash in a long-awaited five-round Co-Main event on UFC 313.
The one who wins will come one step closer to a fight with the champion of the division, Islam Makhachev.
However, it is unlikely that they will face him afterwards after Ilia Topuria had left his featherweight title.
The plan is that Ilia Topuria fights against Islam Makhachev later this year, I was told. Maybe as soon as ifw.
Many to digest and dissect. Will soon upload a fast REOX video to the channel.
– Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 20, 2025
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According to Ariel Helwani, 'El Matador' is in conversation to combat Makhachev in the International Fight Week in June.
“The plan is that Ilia Topuria fights Islam Makhachev against Islam Makhacheve later this year, I was told. Perhaps as soon as IFW, 'the veteran MMA reporter tweeted Wednesday. “Many to digest and dissect. Will soon upload a fast REOX video to the channel. “
Whatever happens, Gaethje will be in a great position if he beat Hooker in a few weeks.
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