Justin Gaethje knows time is ticking on his career, especially if his next fight turns out like his previous one.
The sight of Gaethje lying face down on the mat at UFC 300 is still fresh in the minds of many fight fans. Gaethje put his “BMF” title—and his No. 1 contender spot at lightweight—on the line against Max Holloway this past April and at the conclusion of a fight that Holloway largely dominated, the Hawaiian star put a cap on his performance with a thrilling knockout of Gaethje in the final seconds.
Gaethje, 35, has spoken about a possible retirement following that loss, but clarified the conditions under which he’d call it a career speaking to the media ahead of UFC 306 this Saturday.
“The direct quote was, ‘Once I know that I cannot win an undisputed championship belt or fight for one, then I might as well hang up the gloves,’” Gaethje said. “I do not believe I have reached that point. Whether I’m the champion or not in the next - Who knows? It’s so hard to predict.
“If I ever go to sleep, like I just went to sleep, I’m done. I’m not doing it two more times. I’ll do that one more time if I have to, I’m not choosing that, but it’s always a possibility, and if it happens, I’m done. But outside that, I don’t know, it’s hard to put a number.”
Justin Gaethje states retirement condition: ‘If I ever go to sleep like I just went to sleep, I’m done’ - MMA Fighting
