Justin Gaethje (fighter)

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Justin Gaethje
Born Justin Ray Gaethje[1]
(1988-11-14) November 14, 1988 (age 35)
Safford, Arizona, United States
Other names The Highlight
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight 156 lb (71 kg; 11.1 st)
Division Lightweight
Reach 70[2] in (178 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Arvada, Colorado, United States
Team Genesis Training Center (2016–present)
Grudge Training Center (2011–2016)
Trainer Trevor Wittman[3]
Wrestling NCAA Division I Wrestling[4]
Years active 2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 21
Wins 19
By knockout 16
By submission 1
By decision 2
Losses 2
By knockout 2
Amateur career
Total 7
Wins 7
By knockout 4
By submission 2
Losses 0
Other information
University University of Northern Colorado
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Justin Ray Gaethje (/ˈɡeɪdʒi/; born November 14, 1988) is an American professional mixed martial artist who fights in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is known for his aggressive fighting style and ability to take damage. As of July 26, 2018, he is #7 in the official UFC lightweight rankings.[5][6]

Born in Safford, Arizona, Gaethje began wrestling when he was 4 years old. He was a two-time Arizona state champion as a wrestler at Safford High School, and a NCAA Division I All-American wrestler during his time at the University of Northern Colorado. He began his amateur MMA career while in college, turned professional in 2011 and joined the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) in 2013, where he became Lightweight Champion. He defended his WSOF belt five times before vacating it to join the UFC in 2017.

Background

Gaethje was born on November 14, 1988 in Safford, Arizona. His mother, Carolina (née Espinoza), is of Mexican descent; his father, John Ray Gaethje, is of German descent.[7][8] His mother was a postmaster while his father was a copper miner, as were both of his grandfathers. His paternal grandfather boxed while in the Army.[9] He has a twin brother, Marcus John Gaethje, who has worked at the Morenci Mine since he was 18.[8] Outside of MMA, Gaethje once spent a summer working at the Morenci Mine, and holds a bachelor's degree in Human Services.[10]

Wrestling

High school

Gaethje began wrestling at the age of four,[11] and attended Safford High School,[12] where he was a four-time finalist and two-time Arizona state champion as a wrestler.[13]

Collegiate

Gaethje wrestled for the University of Northern Colorado. As a junior, he placed 7th in the 2010 NCAA Division I 157 lb Championship and became the first (and only, as of 2017) Northern Colorado athlete to attain All-American status since the school joined Division I in 2006.[10][14] He dropped down to the 149 lb division for his senior year, but had struggles with weight cutting.[15] Gaethje also wrestled with a number of mixed martial artists such as Georges St-Pierre during his collegiate years.[16]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Gaethje began his amateur MMA career during his studies at the University of Northern Colorado. He amassed a 7–0 amateur record before making his professional debut on August 20, 2011 against Kevin Croom. Gaethje won the fight in the first round via KO due to a slam after his opponent attempted a submission.[17]

World Series of Fighting

Gaethje was signed by the World Series of Fighting on January 22, 2013, and made his debut at WSOF 2 against Gesias Cavalcante, finishing the fight in the first round through TKO (doctor stoppage) after opening a cut above Cavalcante's left eye.[18]

At WSOF 3 he fought Brian Cobb, eventually winning via TKO from leg kicks in the third round.[19]

Afterwards, he fought Dan Lauzon at WSOF 6, finishing Lauzon with a right uppercut in the second round.[20]

Gaethje headlined WSOF 8 against Richard Patishnock and became the inaugural WSOF Lightweight Champion after dispatching Patishnock in the first round via TKO.[21]

His first title defense was at WSOF 11 against Nick Newell.[22] Gaethje won the fight with a right hook TKO in the second round.[23]

On November 15, 2014, Gaethje faced UFC veteran and former training partner Melvin Guillard at WSOF 15.[24] The fight was ruled a non-title contest after Guillard missed weight. Gaethje won the bout via split decision (28–29, 29–28, 30–27).[25]

He then went on to fight Luis Palomino at WSOF 19, Gaethje beat Palomino via TKO in the third round.[26] The LA Times named this fight as the best fight of 2015.[27]

He had a rematch against Luis Palomino at WSOF 23 and defended his belt, finishing Palomino in the second round.[28]

At WSOF 29, he defended his belt again by defeating Brian Foster via TKO at 1:43 of the first round.[29][30][31]

On March 15, 2016, Gaethje was suspended indefinitely by the Colorado State Athletic Commission for "unsportsmanlike conduct" after he backflipped off the top of the cage in his post-fight celebration at WSOF 29.[32] The suspension was lifted a day later.[33][34]

Gaethje was expected to defend the WSOF Lightweight Championship against Ozzy Dugulubgov at WSOF 33 on October 7, 2016.[35] However, the bout was cancelled on the day of the event as Dugulubgov was stricken with illness.[36]

On October 17, 2016, it was announced that Gaethje would defend the WSOF Lightweight Championship against João Zeferino on December 31, 2016 at WSOF 34 in the main event.[37] However, an injury forced Zeferino to withdraw from the bout and he was replaced by Luiz Firmino.[38] Gaethje won the bout by TKO via doctor stoppage due to Firmino's right eye being swollen after round three.[39]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On May 4, 2017, Gaethje announced he had vacated his WSOF title and signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[40] It was announced on May 12 that he would make his debut against Michael Johnson on July 7, at The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale.[41] Gaethje won the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the second round through a combination of punches and knees.[42] The win earned Gaethje the Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonus awards.[43] Sherdog named this fight as the best fight of 2017,[44] and round 2 of the fight as the best round of the year.[45]

On July 13, 2017, the UFC announced that Gaethje would coach The Ultimate Fighter 26 along with Eddie Alvarez, with the duo expected to face each other at the conclusion of the season.[46] The bout with Alvarez took place on December 2, 2017, at UFC 218.[47] Gaethje lost the fight by TKO in the third round, the first loss of his MMA career.[48] The fight also earned him his second consecutive Fight of the Night bonus award.[49]

Gaethje lost via TKO to Dustin Poirier on April 14, 2018 at UFC on Fox 29.[50] The fight earned Gaethje's third consecutive Fight of the Night bonus award.[51]

Gaethje was scheduled to fight Al Iaquinta, on August 25, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 135, in Lincoln, Nebraska.[52] However, on June 28, 2018 Iaquinta withdrew from the bout and he was replaced by James Vick.[53] Gaethje won the fight by knockout in the first round.[54] He was also awarded a Performance of Night award, which was the fifth consecutive bonus award in his fourth fight in UFC.[55]

Championships and accomplishments

Collegiate wrestling

Mixed martial arts

Personal life

Gaethje attended University of Northern Colorado and holds a bachelor's degree in Human Services. He has stated his intention to do social work with at-risk youth in the future.[10]

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 19–2 James Vick KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick August 25, 2018 1 1:27 Lincoln, Nebraska, United States Performance of the Night.
Loss 18–2 Dustin Poirier TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje April 14, 2018 4 0:33 Glendale, Arizona, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 18–1 Eddie Alvarez KO (knee) UFC 218 December 2, 2017 3 3:59 Detroit, Michigan, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 18–0 Michael Johnson TKO (punches and knees) The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale July 7, 2017 2 4:48 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night. Fight of the Night.
Win 17–0 Luiz Firmino TKO (doctor stoppage) WSOF 34 December 31, 2016 3 5:00 New York City, New York, United States Defended the WSOF Lightweight Championship.
Win 16–0 Brian Foster TKO (leg kicks) WSOF 29 March 12, 2016 1 1:43 Greeley, Colorado, United States Defended the WSOF Lightweight Championship.
Win 15–0 Luis Palomino TKO (punches) WSOF 23 September 18, 2015 2 4:30 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Defended the WSOF Lightweight Championship.
Win 14–0 Luis Palomino TKO (leg kicks and punches) WSOF 19 March 28, 2015 3 3:57 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Defended the WSOF Lightweight Championship.
Win 13–0 Melvin Guillard Decision (split) WSOF 15 November 15, 2014 3 5:00 Tampa, Florida, United States Non-title bout; Guillard missed weight (159 lbs).
Win 12–0 Nick Newell TKO (punches) WSOF 11 July 5, 2014 2 3:09 Daytona Beach, Florida, United States Defended the WSOF Lightweight Championship.
Win 11–0 Richard Patishnock TKO (punches and elbows) WSOF 8 January 18, 2014 1 1:09 Hollywood, Florida, United States Won the WSOF Lightweight Championship.
Win 10–0 Dan Lauzon KO (punches) WSOF 6 October 28, 2013 2 1:40 Coral Gables, Florida, United States
Win 9–0 Brian Cobb TKO (leg kicks) WSOF 3 June 14, 2013 3 2:19 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–0 Gesias Cavalcante TKO (doctor stoppage) WSOF 2 March 23, 2013 1 2:27 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 7–0 Adrian Valdez TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 164 November 16, 2012 2 0:19 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win 6–0 Drew Fickett KO (punch) Rage in the Cage 163 October 20, 2012 1 0:12 Chandler, Arizona, United States Catchweight (165 lbs) bout.
Win 5–0 Sam Young Submission (rear-naked choke) Rage in the Cage 162 September 29, 2012 2 1:58 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win 4–0 Marcus Edwards Decision (unanimous) ROF 43: Bad Blood June 2, 2012 3 5:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 3–0 Donnie Bell TKO (punches) ROF 42: Who's Next December 17, 2011 2 2:57 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 2–0 Joe Kelso TKO (punches) BTT MMA 2: Genesis October 1, 2011 1 4:32 Pueblo, Colorado, United States
Win 1–0 Kevin Croom KO (slam) ROF 41: Bragging Rights August 20, 2011 1 1:01 Broomfield, Colorado, United States Catchweight (159 lbs) bout.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 07-07-17MMA.pdf
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Justin Gaethje’s Knockout Rate Trumps MMA All-Timers
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ An up-and-down year: UNC’s Justin Gaethje still trying to find his groove at 149 pounds
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Eddie Alvarez, Justin Gaethje to serve as coaches on 'The Ultimate Fighter'
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ https://mmajunkie.com/2018/06/justin-gaethje-al-iaquinta-headlines-ufc-fight-night-135-lincoln-nebraska
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Justin Gaethje – Official UFC© Profile
  57. ↑ 2010 COL: NCAAs Division 1 C’Ships
  58. ↑ UNC’s Justin Gaethje knocked out of winner’s bracket at NCAA Championships
  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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External links

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