Justin Gaethje

Justin Gaethje
Born Justin Gaethje
(1988-11-14) November 14, 1988
Safford, Arizona, United States
Other names The Highlight
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
Division Lightweight
Reach 71.0 in (180 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Denver, Colorado
Team Grudge Training Center
Wrestling NCAA Division I
Years active 2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 16
Wins 16
By knockout 13
By submission 1
By decision 2
Losses 0
By knockout 0
By submission 0
By decision 0
Amateur career
Total 7
Wins 7
By knockout 4
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Justin Gaethje (/ˈɡeɪdʒi/; born November 14, 1988) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division of the World Series of Fighting.[1] He is the reigning WSOF Lightweight Champion, and currently unbeaten on a 16-fight winning streak, with 13 of his wins coming by way of KO or TKO.[2][3]

Early life

Gaethje was born in Safford, Arizona to Ray and Carolina Gaethje.[4] His father worked as a copper miner and his mother was a postmaster.[5][6] He began wrestling at the age of four,[7] and attended Safford High School.[8][9]

Wrestling

High school

Gaethje was a four-time finalist and two-time Arizona state champion as a wrestler for Safford High School.[10]

Collegiate

Gaethje received a scholarship to wrestle for the University of Northern Colorado. In 2010, he became the first Northern Colorado athlete to attain All-American status since the school joined Division I in 2006 when he finished 7th in the NCAA Championships.[4][11]

During his time at UNC, Gaethje met and trained with Georges St-Pierre and other mixed martial artists.[12]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

While still at the University of Northern Colorado, he made his amateur debut. Gaethje reached a 7–0 amateur record before making his professional debut on August 20, 2011, against Kevin Croom. Gaethje won the fight in the first round via KO due to a slam after his opponent attempted a submission.[13]

World Series of Fighting

He was signed by the World Series of Fighting on January 22, 2013, and made his debut at WSOF 2 against Gesias Cavalcante, finishing the fight in the first round through TKO (doctor stoppage) after opening a cut above Cavalcante's left eye.[14] At WSOF 3 he fought Brian Cobb, eventually winning via TKO from leg kicks in the third round.[15]

At WSOF 6, he fought Dan Lauzon, finishing Lauzon via KO with a right uppercut in the second round and bringing his record to 10–0.[16]

At WSOF 8, Gaethje headlined the event against Richard Patishnock and became the inaugural WSOF Lightweight Champion after dispatching Patishnock in the first round via TKO.[17] At WSOF 11, Gaethje had his first title defense against Nick Newell.[18] Gaethje won the fight by way of TKO in the second round and defended his belt.[19]

At WSOF 15, Gaethje faced UFC veteran and former training partner, Melvin Guillard.[20] The fight was ruled a non-title contest after Guillard missed weight. Gaethje won the non-title bout via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29).[21]

At WSOF 19, Gaethje fought Luis Palomino. Gaethje defeated Palomino via TKO in the third round,[22] with the Los Angeles Times naming this the best fight of 2015.[23]

At WSOF 23, he had a rematch against Luis Palomino and defended his belt again, finishing Palomino in the second round via TKO.[24]

At WSOF 29, he defended his belt again by defeating Brian Foster via TKO through leg kicks at 1:43 of the first round.[25][26][27] On March 15, 2016, Gaethje was suspended indefinitely by the Colorado State Athletic Commission for 'unsportsmanlike conduct' after he back-flipped off the top of the cage in his post-fight celebration at WSOF 29.[28] This suspension was lifted a day later.[29][30]

Gaethje was expected to defend the WSOF Lightweight Championship against Ozzy Dugulubgov at WSOF 33 on October 7, 2016.[31] However, the bout was cancelled on the day of the event as Dugulibgov was stricken with illness.[32]

On October 17, 2016, it was announced that Gaethje would defend the WSOF Lightweight Championship against João Zeferino on December 31, 2016 at WSOF 34 in the main event.[33]

Endorsements

Gaethje is endorsed by Fuzion Vapor and Bulge Clothing Brand.[34][35]

Personal life

Gaethje is of German-Mexican descent, and has a twin brother, Marcus Gaethje.[6]

He is one internship short of earning his degree in Human Services and has plans to do social work with at-risk youth.[4]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 16–0 Brian Foster TKO (leg kicks) WSOF 29 March 12, 2016 1 1:43 Greeley, Colorado, United States Defended the WSOF Lightweight Championship.
Win 15–0 Luis Palomino TKO (punches) WSOF 23 September 18, 2015 2 4:30 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Defended the WSOF Lightweight Championship.
Win 14–0 Luis Palomino TKO (leg kicks and punches) WSOF 19 March 28, 2015 3 3:57 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Defended the WSOF Lightweight Championship.
Win 13–0 Melvin Guillard Decision (split) WSOF 15 November 15, 2014 3 5:00 Tampa, Florida, United States Non-title bout, Guillard missed weight (159lbs).
Win 12–0 Nick Newell TKO (punches) WSOF 11 July 5, 2014 2 3:09 Daytona Beach, Florida, United States Defended the WSOF Lightweight Championship.
Win 11–0 Richard Patishnock TKO (punches and elbows) WSOF 8 January 18, 2014 1 1:09 Hollywood, Florida, United States Won the WSOF Lightweight Championship.
Win 10–0 Dan Lauzon KO (punches) WSOF 6 October 28, 2013 2 1:40 Coral Gables, Florida, United States
Win 9–0 Brian Cobb TKO (leg kicks) WSOF 3 Jun 14, 2013 3 2:19 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–0 Gesias Cavalcante TKO (doctor stoppage) WSOF 2 March 23, 2013 1 2:27 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 7–0 Adrian Valdez TKO (punches) RITC - Rage in the Cage 164 November 16, 2012 2 0:19 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win 6–0 Drew Fickett KO (punch) RITC - Rage in the Cage 163 October 20, 2012 1 0:12 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win 5–0 Sam Young Submission (rear-naked choke) RITC - Rage in the Cage 162 September 29, 2012 2 1:58 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win 4–0 Marcus Edwards Decision (unanimous) ROF 43 - Bad Blood June 2, 2012 3 5:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 3–0 Donnie Bell TKO (punches) ROF 42 - Who's Next December 17, 2011 2 2:57 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 2–0 Joe Kelso TKO (punches) BTT MMA 2 - Genesis October 1, 2011 1 4:32 Pueblo, Colorado, United States
Win 1–0 Kevin Croom KO (slam) ROF 41 - Bragging Rights August 20, 2011 1 1:01 Broomfield, Colorado, United States

See also

List of current mixed martial arts champions

References

  1. ↑ "JUSTIN GAETHJE: THRIVING AMID CHAOS". fightland.vice.com. March 14, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Silva hopes to make World Series of Fighting relevant every day". reviewjournal.com.
  3. ↑ "WSOF29 Recap And Results". wsof.com.
  4. 1 2 3 "Former UNC All-American wrestler Gaethje to headline MMA fighting event in Greeley". greeleytribune.com.
  5. ↑ "Fight Path: Miner's son Justin Gaethje ready to unleash patented slams at WSOF 2". mmajunkie.com. March 21, 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Justin Gaethje: From the copper mines to the smiling fields of gold". mmafighting.com. January 17, 2014.
  7. ↑ "WSOF champ Justin Gaethje: I won't take a pay cut to go to the UFC". bloodyelbow.com.
  8. ↑ "MMA practically a birthright for WSOF champ Gaethje". orlandosentinel.com. June 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Greeley Tilted Kilt enjoys record day courtesy of mixed martial arts fighter Justin Gaethje". greeleytribune.com. March 13, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Former UNC Wrestling Standout Justin Gaethje Returns to Campus to Defend MMA Championship". unco.edu. March 8, 2016.
  11. ↑ "The Beaten Path: Prospect Justin Gaethje Is Newest Member of Long MMA Tradition". bleacherreport.com. October 24, 2013.
  12. ↑ "AFTER WRESTLING WITH GSP & OTHER FIGHTERS, JUSTIN GAETHJE DECIDED TO TRY MMA". sherdog.com. October 25, 2013.
  13. ↑ "RING OF FIRE 41 RESULTS: BRANDON THATCH WINS QUICK, TYLER TONER STAGES AMAZING COMEBACK". mmaweekly.com. August 21, 2011.
  14. ↑ "WSOF 2 results recap: Justin Gaethje vs Gesias Cavalcante fight review and analysis". mmamania.com. March 24, 2013.
  15. ↑ "WSOF 3 Results: Fitch vs. Burkman". mmafighting.com. June 14, 2013.
  16. ↑ "World Series of Fighting (WSOF) 6 recap for 'Burkman vs Carl' on NBC Sports". mmamania.com. October 27, 2013.
  17. ↑ "WSOF 8 Results: Gaethje vs. Patishnock". mmafighting.com. January 18, 2014.
  18. ↑ "WSOF's Justin Gaethje: I'd rather prove myself as best in the world than make a million dollars". sports.yahoo.com. July 3, 2014.
  19. ↑ "LIVE WSOF 11 results". mmamania.com. July 5, 2014.
  20. ↑ "For WSOF champ Justin Gaethje, who needs Wikipedia when you've got heavy hands?". mmafighting.com. November 14, 2014.
  21. ↑ "WSOF 15 results: Branch stops Okami, Aguilar and Gaethje win decisions". mmamania.com. November 16, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Justin Gaethje defends WSOF title". espn.go.com. March 29, 2016.
  23. ↑ "MMA rankings: Luke Rockhold puts middleweight division on notice". latimes.com. April 22, 2015.
  24. ↑ "WSOF 23 results recap: Video highlights, .gifs and more for 'Gaethje vs Palomino 2'". mmamania.com. September 19, 2015.
  25. ↑ "WSOF 29 video: Champ Justin Gaethje chops down Brian Foster with brutal leg kicks". mmajunkie.com. March 13, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Free agent heavyweight Matt Mitrione decides to sign with Bellator". reviewjournal.com. March 14, 2016.
  27. ↑ "JUSTIN GAETHJE BEATS BRIAN FOSTER WITH LEG KICKS IN FIRST ROUND". nbcsports.com. March 14, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Unsportsmanlike Conduct Following WSOF 29 Sidelines Justin Gaethje Indefinitely". yahoo.com. March 15, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Justin Gaethje taken off 'indefinite suspension' after talk with Colorado commission". mmafighting.com. March 16, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Colorado Lifts WSOF Champ Justin Gaethje's Indefinite Suspension". sports.yahoo.com. March 16, 2016.
  31. ↑ "With 3-hour broadcast, 6-bout WSOF 33 main card complete with Nurmagomedov-Howard".
  32. ↑ "Tonight's Justin Gaethje vs. Ozzy Dugulubgov WSOF 33 headliner canceled".
  33. ↑ "Three title fights set for WSOF's debut in New York".
  34. ↑ "Safford's Gaethje signs deal with Fuzion Vapor". eacourier.com. June 13, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Another endorsement deal for WSOF champ Gaethje". eacourier.com. July 31, 2015.
  36. ↑ "MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for March: A true WSOF slugfest". mmajunkie.com. April 3, 2015.
  37. ↑ "MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for September: Rematch brings another win". mmajunkie.com. October 2, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Best of 2015: MMA half-year awards". sports.yahoo.com. June 29, 2015.
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