Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Justin Gaethje
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In great position after Round 1 TKO
Gaethje defeated Donald Cerrone via TKO (punches) at 4:18 of UFC on ESPN+ 16 on Saturday in Vancouver.
ANALYSIS
What was billed as a Fight of the Year candidate lasted just under five minutes, with Gaethje picking up his third consecutive victory. It was clear Gaethje wanted to attack Cerrone from the ground up, as he started with leg kicks. The two proceeded to exchange shots and Gaethje even ate a few, but it was a massive right hand that sent Cerrone to his knees and started the sequence that ended the fight. Gaethje followed up with a couple uppercuts before turning to the ref to stop the fight, but the ref ultimately needed a few more shots to be convinced. Gaethje didn't seem to have that killer instinct for the finish since it was apparent afterwards he was fighting someone he considers a friend, but the implication after this is that he's being groomed for a fight with Conor McGregor. There's plenty of animosity that would bring out the killer instinct there, even though Gaethje did call for the Khabib/Ferguson winner after the fight. It's unclear if the UFC can afford to keep someone with the star potential of Gaethje on the sidelines for that long. And to add to the celebration, Gaethje will take home a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus -- his seventh post-fight bonus in six UFC fights.
What was billed as a Fight of the Year candidate lasted just under five minutes, with Gaethje picking up his third consecutive victory. It was clear Gaethje wanted to attack Cerrone from the ground up, as he started with leg kicks. The two proceeded to exchange shots and Gaethje even ate a few, but it was a massive right hand that sent Cerrone to his knees and started the sequence that ended the fight. Gaethje followed up with a couple uppercuts before turning to the ref to stop the fight, but the ref ultimately needed a few more shots to be convinced. Gaethje didn't seem to have that killer instinct for the finish since it was apparent afterwards he was fighting someone he considers a friend, but the implication after this is that he's being groomed for a fight with Conor McGregor. There's plenty of animosity that would bring out the killer instinct there, even though Gaethje did call for the Khabib/Ferguson winner after the fight. It's unclear if the UFC can afford to keep someone with the star potential of Gaethje on the sidelines for that long. And to add to the celebration, Gaethje will take home a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus -- his seventh post-fight bonus in six UFC fights.
Matchup with Cowboy targeted for Vancouver
Gaethje will take on Donald Cerrone in a lightweight matchup in the main event of UFC Vancouver on Sept. 14, Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Simply put, this matchup has Fight of the Year written all over it. It's been kill-or-be-killed for Gaethje in his five-fight UFC run, as he has yet to allow a fight to get to the judges. He's landed a ridiculously-high striking volume while compiling a 3-2 record, accruing 8.50 significant strikes per minute in the Octagon. The problem is, he has absolutely no issue getting hit in order to land his own strikes, as Gaethje has absorbed more than 10 significant strikes per minute along the way. He'll be pinned against a veteran brawler in Cerrone, who happens to own the most post-fight bonuses and second-most knockdowns in UFC history. Both combatants have formidable wrestling and grappling to lean on, but knowing these two men, they will much prefer to stay on the feet and put on a show for the fans. Look for plenty of striking volume in this five-round affair, which is typically a great sign for fantasy scoring. A victory for Gaethje would be his third in a row, and may be enough to jump him back into the title conversation.
Simply put, this matchup has Fight of the Year written all over it. It's been kill-or-be-killed for Gaethje in his five-fight UFC run, as he has yet to allow a fight to get to the judges. He's landed a ridiculously-high striking volume while compiling a 3-2 record, accruing 8.50 significant strikes per minute in the Octagon. The problem is, he has absolutely no issue getting hit in order to land his own strikes, as Gaethje has absorbed more than 10 significant strikes per minute along the way. He'll be pinned against a veteran brawler in Cerrone, who happens to own the most post-fight bonuses and second-most knockdowns in UFC history. Both combatants have formidable wrestling and grappling to lean on, but knowing these two men, they will much prefer to stay on the feet and put on a show for the fans. Look for plenty of striking volume in this five-round affair, which is typically a great sign for fantasy scoring. A victory for Gaethje would be his third in a row, and may be enough to jump him back into the title conversation.
Starches Edson Barboza with one-punch KO
Gaethje defeated Edson Barboza via KO (punches) at 2:30 of Round 1 at UFC on ESPN 2 on Saturday in Philadelphia.
ANALYSIS
Gaethje's ability to dish out insane punishment and absorb everything his opponents throw at him is unparalleled in the sport of MMA. This fight was expected to be a vicious brawl and it didn't disappoint. Barboza matched Gaethje shot for shot, except Justin ate Edson's shots without issue, and Barboza crumbled under the pressure of Gaethje on multiple occasions. Gaethje's chin gives him a chance in every single fight in which he competes. He's impossible to finish off quickly so he has time to dish out punishment of his own and that's what stopped Barboza on Saturday. Gaethje is now 3-2 in his first five UFC bouts and all of them have ended via knockout. Possibly more impressive is the fact that each of those five bouts have ended in a $50,000 post-fight bonus heading Gaethje's way, as he and Barboza earned Fight of the Night honors.
Gaethje's ability to dish out insane punishment and absorb everything his opponents throw at him is unparalleled in the sport of MMA. This fight was expected to be a vicious brawl and it didn't disappoint. Barboza matched Gaethje shot for shot, except Justin ate Edson's shots without issue, and Barboza crumbled under the pressure of Gaethje on multiple occasions. Gaethje's chin gives him a chance in every single fight in which he competes. He's impossible to finish off quickly so he has time to dish out punishment of his own and that's what stopped Barboza on Saturday. Gaethje is now 3-2 in his first five UFC bouts and all of them have ended via knockout. Possibly more impressive is the fact that each of those five bouts have ended in a $50,000 post-fight bonus heading Gaethje's way, as he and Barboza earned Fight of the Night honors.
To fight Edson Barboza in Philly
Gaethje has been booked to fight Edson Barboza in a lightweight bout at UFC on ESPN in Philadelphia on March 30, Dave Doyle of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Gaethje just joined the UFC in 2017 and is coming off a first-round knockout over James Vick at UFC Lincoln back in August. Gaethje, however, is still just 2-2 since joining the organization due to suffering back-to-back knockouts from Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier. The March fight pits him against a seasoned UFC veteran in Barboza, who is 13-6 in the UFC since joining all the way back in 2010.
Gaethje just joined the UFC in 2017 and is coming off a first-round knockout over James Vick at UFC Lincoln back in August. Gaethje, however, is still just 2-2 since joining the organization due to suffering back-to-back knockouts from Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier. The March fight pits him against a seasoned UFC veteran in Barboza, who is 13-6 in the UFC since joining all the way back in 2010.
Highlight reel knockout in Round 1 in UFC Lincoln main event
Gaethje defeated James Vick via KO (punch) at 1:27 of Round 1 at UFC Lincoln on Saturday. He picked up a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts.
ANALYSIS
The fight started out with Vick doing a good job controlling the distance with kicks. He was landing body shots at will and even wobbled Gaethje at one point. "The Highlight" stayed patient and leaped in with an overhand right. Vick was unconscious before he hit the canvas. He was so concussed he tried to take Gaethje down after the fight when Gaethje came over to shake his hand.
The fight started out with Vick doing a good job controlling the distance with kicks. He was landing body shots at will and even wobbled Gaethje at one point. "The Highlight" stayed patient and leaped in with an overhand right. Vick was unconscious before he hit the canvas. He was so concussed he tried to take Gaethje down after the fight when Gaethje came over to shake his hand.