WSOF champ Justin Gathje: I know I'm the best lightweight in the world
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WSOF champ Justin Gathje: I know I’m the best lightweight in the world | MMAjunkie
WSOF lightweight champ Justin Gaethje admits his skills were limited when he first entered the world of professional MMA. But less than four years later, “The Highlight” believes – or knows, actually – that he is the best lightweight on the planet.
“I don’t just think I’m the best lightweight in the world,” Gaethje said. “I know for a fact that I am, and I will prove it.”
Gaethje (13-0) faces hard-hitting Peruvian challenger Luis Palomino (23-9) in the headlining bout of Saturday’s WSOF 19 event at Phoenix’s Comerica Theatre. The four-fight main card, including the Gathje vs. Palomino feature, airs on NBCSN (9 p.m. ET) following prelims that stream on MMAjunkie (6 p.m. ET).
Gaethje admits that “Baboon” could very well prove his most difficult opponent to date, especially since knockouts are a reality when you fight wearing four-ounce gloves. But the lifelong wrestler also believes he’s put in enough time in the gym working on his full game that he’ll be able to deal with Palomino’s skills...
WSOF lightweight champ Justin Gaethje admits his skills were limited when he first entered the world of professional MMA. But less than four years later, “The Highlight” believes – or knows, actually – that he is the best lightweight on the planet.
“I don’t just think I’m the best lightweight in the world,” Gaethje said. “I know for a fact that I am, and I will prove it.”
Gaethje (13-0) faces hard-hitting Peruvian challenger Luis Palomino (23-9) in the headlining bout of Saturday’s WSOF 19 event at Phoenix’s Comerica Theatre. The four-fight main card, including the Gathje vs. Palomino feature, airs on NBCSN (9 p.m. ET) following prelims that stream on MMAjunkie (6 p.m. ET).
Gaethje admits that “Baboon” could very well prove his most difficult opponent to date, especially since knockouts are a reality when you fight wearing four-ounce gloves. But the lifelong wrestler also believes he’s put in enough time in the gym working on his full game that he’ll be able to deal with Palomino’s skills...
I think it's going to come down to the rematch with Khabib if he gets by Cowboy. Khabib and RDA are the 2 best in my mind.
Khabib is just a wrestler who can hold people down imo. He will not be a guy who dominates any other area.
What does that mean?
He doesn't need to dominate in any other area. If he can hold everyone in the division down, then he will obviously be the most dominant/best fighter in the division.
The irony is, that the guy that people say will beat everyone over at the UFC is a guy that can't make him pay for it with strikes. Gathje has the wrestling to give Khabib problems and that reckless striking and pressure used on him if he can keep Khabib off of him is not something Khabib is going to counter very well.
I see Gathje having issues with better grinders and guy exactly like him, and the first time he sees a super skilled guy like Pettis who throws something at him he's never seen, but that's it.
Until his chin fails, and he's very young in that process so far, he'll be able to keep dictating, once he hit a problem, his adjustment to it will dictate how good he really is.
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He is way too sloppy and reckless. RDA would knock him out in the first round.
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My fear for Justin is losing that chin. He eats a lot of shots in his fights. The kid is super tough but that chin won't last forever.
Totally agree. He def got rocked a few times in the palomino fight but just pushed through like a beast. That won't last forever. He should protect a bit more and use his wrestling and murder with those leg kicks.