Justin Gaethje is looking back on his career ahead of UFC 324. The American will take on Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title in Las Vegas this weekend.
Justin Gaethje is looking back on his career ahead of UFC 324.
The American will take on Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title in Las Vegas this weekend.
For Pimblett, it’s a massive moment in his career. For Gaethje, it’s just another chapter in a story that’s already included fights against some of the biggest names in the sport. Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway are just a few of the 155lb icons he’s shared the Octagon with over the years.
Justin Gaethje’s toughest opponents
Justin Gaethje recently spoke about the three hardest hitters he’s come across in his MMA career.
No surprise that Max Holloway led the way, given how their UFC 300 meeting ended back in April 2024.
Michael Johnson also made the list, remembered for putting Gaethje through a tough test during his UFC debut in July 2017.
Then there was James Vick, who Gaethje finished in just 87 seconds. Despite the quick result, Vick left an impression with a powerful liver kick before he was stopped.
“Max Holloway is definitely number one,” Gaethje said when discussing the hardest shots he’s taken inside the Octagon.
“It’s the first time and only time I’ve been put to sleep.”
“Michael Johnson hit me with two very good shots that I do not know how I did not go to sleep, too.”
“Before I knocked out James Vick, he kicked me in the liver really good. It’s the weirdest shots that hurt in there. Yeah, that one checked my liver. I was like ‘uh-oh.’”
Eddie Alvarez shares thoughts on UFC 324
Eddie Alvarez, the first man to hand Justin Gaethje a defeat, has weighed in ahead of UFC 324.
The former lightweight champion put Gaethje down with a brutal knee back in December 2017, but he doesn’t expect Saturday’s fight to play out the same way.
“I think this is a really good matchup for Justin,” Alvarez said during an appearance on his YouTube channel.
“I know personally his calf kick is devastating and changes the tide of every single fight.”
He went on to break down what makes Gaethje such a dangerous opponent:
“One of the main keys to Justin’s victory is being able to use the calf kick effectively… If Justin is able to keep bombing this leg kick, I think it’s really gonna shut Paddy down and be able to nullify a lot of his attacks.
Alvarez continued:
“You might start seeing him limp. You might start seeing him switch stances.
“From there, Justin can use the speed of his hands and use his boxing. I think it’s much better than Paddy’s. I think he’s fast, and I think he’s cleaner on the inside.
We’ll find out soon enough if Pimblett can prove him wrong.
Category: General Sports
