For the second time in 2024, Justin Gaethje ate the canvas.
In April, ‘The Highlight’ became exactly that when he suffered a brutal buzzer-beating knockout loss against Max Holloway at UFC 300, surrendering the BMF title in the process.
Why did Gaethje think it was a good idea to swing with Holloway instead of getting a guard up and blocking or trying to do a Thai clinch? #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/k4YQsQSajP
— dr. antenna man (@sportwashing911) April 14, 2024
Immediately following the defeat, Gaethje confirmed that he’d be taking no less than six months off from the fight game, giving his body and his brain ample time to heal up. Still, that hasn’t stopped the lightweight contender from going hard in sparring sessions.
On Wednesday, Gaethje shared a clip on Instagram of him going toe-to-toe with former UFC fighter-turned-coach Luke Caudillo at the gym. ‘The Highlight’ appeared to have things well in hand, trapping Caudillo against the fence and lighting him up with a few headshots before engaging in a back-and-forth body shot challenge.
In the clip, Caudillo blasts Gaethje with a left to the liver that immediately sends the two-time title challenger crashing to the canvas and writhing in agony. As Gaethje rolls around, Caudillo celebrates his victory while head coach Trevor Whittman can be heard laughing at the surprising outcome.
Caudillo later shared the clip on Instagram with a rather humorous caption.
“Like to take this moment and thank Coors Light, Modelo, and Five Nine Whiskey for making my body strong enough to take a shot for Justin Gaethje. #squirrelfindsanut #bodyshot #liver #lovemyjob #gladiatorsunleashed.”
Justin Gaethje Still Hoping to Earn One More UFC Lightweight Title Shot
Gaethje has not yet booked a return opponent just yet, but speaking with MMA Junkie in September, ‘The Highlight’ listed four potential opponents for his highly anticipated comeback.
“I think Dustin Poirier, I beat him, he fought for a belt (and) there’s always those certain set of circumstances that can happen which will lead to (a title shot),” Gaethje said. “I think this fight with (Makhachev) and Tsarukyan is the next fight, then there’s kind of another opportunity for somebody like how Dustin Poirier stepped in. There’s not a clear contender.
“I have to fight and win then I’m right back in there. I have a list. I think (Dan) Hooker, (Charles) Oliveira, Poirier, and (Alexander) Volkanovski is a list of four people that I think any of those would do for me what I need to do to get back in the picture.”
Watch the full interview below:
