Justin Gaethje Claims He is One Max Holloway-Like Fight Away From Retirement

Newly crowned UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje weighs in on his future if he ever faces another buzzer beater knockout.

Justin Gaethje Claims He is One Max Holloway-Like Fight Away From Retirement

Justin Gaethje reflects on Max Holloway KO Loss (via Yahoo Sports)

Justin Gaethje’s interim lightweight title win at UFC 324 cemented his place in the division’s history, following a dominant showing against Paddy Pimblett. The performance reinforced his status as one of the UFC’s most dangerous and entertaining fighters. However, his most recent decisive defeat came against Max Holloway at UFC 300. Gaethje recently referenced that fight while speaking about his future.

Gaethje faced Holloway in the main card of UFC 300, marking his first defense of the BMF title. Over five rounds, Gaethje was consistently outlanded and was losing on the judges’ scorecards after absorbing significant damage. In the final ten seconds, Gaethje engaged in a stand-and-bang exchange with the Hawaiian native. He was knocked out at the final second after being caught by an overhand right.

The knockout became one of the standout moments of 2024 and earned Knockout of the Year honors. Gaethje has since revisited the loss several times to evaluate its impact on his career. He has stated that Holloway was unbeatable on the night and performed at an elite level throughout. Those reflections led into his recent comments about how another similar knockout could affect his future.

If I get knocked out again like Max Holloway knocked me out, I’d be done. I wouldn’t allow myself to risk being in that position.

Justin Gaethje via YouTube

Holloway also revisited the victory nearly a year after the event while reflecting on its significance. He described the finish as a defining moment in his career while acknowledging the emotional weight of the outcome. Despite the magnitude of the knockout, Holloway noted that seeing his opponent laid out added a bittersweet element to the win. He emphasized his respect for ‘The Highlight’ and his standing.

Throughout his UFC career, Gaethje has been finished five times by knockout or submission. He was stopped by Eddie Alvarez at UFC 218 and by Dustin Poirier at UFC on FOX 29, both via strikes. Gaethje was also submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 and Charles Oliveira at UFC 274 in lightweight title bouts. The knockout loss at UFC 300 marked the first time he was rendered unconscious.

At 37, Justin Gaethje is in the latter stage of his career, where long-term considerations are crucial. His next fight will be a unification bout against Ilia Topuria, known for his knockout power, which will increase the stakes.

Years at the highest level have placed added focus on life beyond competition. While his all-out wars have been memorable, the physical toll cannot be ignored, as reflected in Gaethje’s recent comments.

Justin Gaethje highlights the game plan change that led to his win at UFC 324

Justin Gaethje’s leg kicks are considered among the most devastating weapons in his arsenal, consistently affecting opponents’ movement and overall strategy. Many of his past opponents have noted the physical toll and tactical disruption caused by his low kicks. This effectiveness was again visible at UFC 300, where Max Holloway later displayed noticeable leg damage from the fight.

Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324
Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 (via MMA Mania)

At UFC 324, Gaethje’s leg kicks were not a major factor, as he did not rely on them against Paddy Pimblett. Instead, focused on constant striking exchanges, keeping the action fast and intense. This technical approach allowed him to systematically dismantle the Liverpudlian opponent. The fight highlighted The Highlight’s adaptability and led into his recent comments on his style and career.

I can make adjustments, and I won that battle early, you know. I moved forward a week ago, and that completely dictated how that fight was going to go early on. Me not kicking was (expletive) genius, genius, yeah. You know, that was in our plan: not to kick.

Justin Gaethje via YouTube

Gaethje’s power was on full display at UFC 324, leaving Pimblett’s face heavily battered by the end of five rounds. Despite the punishment, Pimblett survived multiple knockdowns, showcasing remarkable durability. His resilience drew attention from the MMA community, highlighting both Justin Gaethje’s power and Pimblett’s toughness inside the Octagon.

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