The Strange Case of Justin Gaethje

(Via: Pinnacle Arena Twitter)

On Saturday, the UFC is set to return to Nebraska with UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick. Surging Texan James Vick, on a four fight win streak will be taking on former WSOF lightweight champion Justin Gaethje who’s been knocked out in his last two fights. Gaethje, who made his first appearance with the UFC a little over a year ago, has been electric in each of his three bouts with the promotion, but his place in the lightweight division is questionable at best.

Justin Gaethje began his mixed martial arts career in 2008, two years before he became a Division 1 All-American wrestler. Before turning pro, he amassed a 7-0 amateur MMA record, finishing six of seven fights by stoppage. Gaethje’s pro debut came in 2011 against Kevin Croom at ROF 41 and began “The Highlight”‘s 16 fight win streak, including five title defenses in WSOF. He joined the UFC in May of 2017, and immediately wowed fans with his Fight of the Year performance win over Michael Johnson. In his three contests with the UFC, Gaethje has won three Performance of the Night awards and impressed with his “stand and bang” style of fighting.

Gaethje in his Fight of the Year with Michael Johnson (Via: CBS Sports)

Gaethje made the immediate impact against a ranked opponent in Johnson, who’s fallen into a three fight skid and since dropped down to the featherweight division. Since finishing Johnson, Gaethje’s lost two hard-fought battles to top five opponents in Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier, and somehow maintains a #7 ranking according the http://ufc.com. Based on FightMetric stats, Gaethje has landed 8.67 significant strikes per minute while absorbing an astounding 10.68 per minute. After his last loss to Poirier, Gatheje was quoted as saying he has “five fights (left)” and many were left to wonder if his style would subsequently change due to the abuse he’s taken over the course of his MMA career.

With two straight knockout losses, and a questionable UFC ranking, does it make sense to have Justin Gaethje headlining a card? Will we see Gaethje employ a wrestle heavy offense to counter Vick’s length and distance management? UFC Fight Night Lincoln on Saturday should be able to point us in the right direction and determine whether Gaethje’s able to sink or swim in the lightweight title picture.