Justin Gaethje (fighter)

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)
Fighting out of Greeley, Colorado
Team Grudge Training Center
Years active 2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 16
Wins 16
By knockout 13
By submission 1
By decision 2
Losses 0
Draws 0
Amateur career
Total 7
Wins 7
By knockout 4
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Justin Gaethje (born November 14, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division of the World Series of Fighting and who is also the current WSOF Lightweight Champion.[1]

Early life

Gaethje was born in Safford, Arizona to Ray and Caro Gaethje. His father worked as a copper miner and his mother was a postmaster.[2][3] He attended Safford High School, and later attended the University of Northern Colorado where he became a Division I All-American wrestler.[4][5]

Wrestling

High school

Gaethje was a three-time state finalist, and two-time state champion as a wrestler for Safford High School.[6]

Collegiate

Gaethje received a scholarship to wrestle for the University of Northern Colorado. Following the 2009-10 season, he became the first Northern Colorado athlete to attain All-American status since the school joined Division I in 2006.[7] During his time at the University of Northern Colorado, Gaethje met and trained with Georges St-Pierre and other mixed martial artists.[8]

Mixed martial arts

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.[9]

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.[10] At WSOF 3 he fought Brian Cobb, eventually winning via TKO from leg kicks in the third round.[11]

At WSOF 6, he fought Dan Lauzon, finishing Lauzon with a right uppercut in the second round and bringing his record to 10–0.[12]

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.[13] At WSOF 11, Gaethje had his first title defense against Nick Newell.[14] Gaethje won the fight by way of TKO in the second round and defended his belt.[15]

At WSOF 15, Gaethje faced UFC veteran, and former training partner, Melvin Guillard.[16] 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).[17]

At WSOF 19, Gaethje fought Luis Palomino. Gaethje defeated Palomino via TKO in the third round,[18] with The LA Times naming this fight as the best fight of 2015.[19]

At WSOF 23, he had a rematch against Luis Palomino and defended his belt again, finishing Palomino in the second round via TKO.[20]

At WSOF 29, he defended his belt again by defeating Brian Foster via TKO at 1:43 of the first round.[21][22][23] 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.[24] The suspension was lifted a day later.[25][26]

Endorsements

Gaethje is endorsed by Fuzion Vapor[27] and Bulge Clothing Brand.[28]

Personal life

Gaethje is of German-Mexican descent, and has a twin brother, Marcus Gaethje.[3]

Championships and accomplishments

World Series of Fighting

MMAJunkie.com

Yahoo! Sports

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. ↑ "Fight Path: Miner's son Justin Gaethje ready to unleash patented slams at WSOF 2". mmajunkie.com. March 21, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Justin Gaethje: From the copper mines to the smiling fields of gold". mmafighting.com. January 17, 2014.
  4. ↑ "MMA practically a birthright for WSOF champ Gaethje". orlandosentinel.com. June 28, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Greeley Tilted Kilt enjoys record day courtesy of mixed martial arts fighter Justin Gaethje". greeleytribune.com. March 13, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Former UNC Wrestling Standout Justin Gaethje Returns to Campus to Defend MMA Championship". unco.edu. March 8, 2016.
  7. ↑ "The Beaten Path: Prospect Justin Gaethje Is Newest Member of Long MMA Tradition". bleacherreport.com. October 24, 2013.
  8. ↑ "AFTER WRESTLING WITH GSP & OTHER FIGHTERS, JUSTIN GAETHJE DECIDED TO TRY MMA". sherdog.com. October 25, 2013.
  9. ↑ "RING OF FIRE 41 RESULTS: BRANDON THATCH WINS QUICK, TYLER TONER STAGES AMAZING COMEBACK". mmaweekly.com. August 21, 2011.
  10. ↑ "WSOF 2 results recap: Justin Gaethje vs Gesias Cavalcante fight review and analysis". mmamania.com. March 24, 2013.
  11. ↑ "WSOF 3 Results: Fitch vs. Burkman". mmafighting.com. June 14, 2013.
  12. ↑ "World Series of Fighting (WSOF) 6 recap for 'Burkman vs Carl' on NBC Sports". mmamania.com. October 27, 2013.
  13. ↑ "WSOF 8 Results: Gaethje vs. Patishnock". mmafighting.com. January 18, 2014.
  14. ↑ "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.
  15. ↑ "LIVE WSOF 11 results". mmamania.com. July 5, 2014.
  16. ↑ "For WSOF champ Justin Gaethje, who needs Wikipedia when you’ve got heavy hands?". mmafighting.com. November 14, 2014.
  17. ↑ "WSOF 15 results: Branch stops Okami, Aguilar and Gaethje win decisions". mmamania.com. November 16, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Justin Gaethje defends WSOF title". espn.go.com. March 29, 2016.
  19. ↑ "MMA rankings: Luke Rockhold puts middleweight division on notice". latimes.com. April 22, 2015.
  20. ↑ "WSOF 23 results recap: Video highlights, .gifs and more for 'Gaethje vs Palomino 2'". mmamania.com. September 19, 2015.
  21. ↑ "WSOF 29 video: Champ Justin Gaethje chops down Brian Foster with brutal leg kicks". mmajunkie.com. March 13, 2016.
  22. ↑ "Free agent heavyweight Matt Mitrione decides to sign with Bellator". reviewjournal.com. March 14, 2016.
  23. ↑ "JUSTIN GAETHJE BEATS BRIAN FOSTER WITH LEG KICKS IN FIRST ROUND". nbcsports.com. March 14, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Unsportsmanlike Conduct Following WSOF 29 Sidelines Justin Gaethje Indefinitely". yahoo.com. March 15, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Justin Gaethje taken off ‘indefinite suspension' after talk with Colorado commission". mmafighting.com. March 16, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Colorado Lifts WSOF Champ Justin Gaethje's Indefinite Suspension". sports.yahoo.com. March 16, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Safford’s Gaethje signs deal with Fuzion Vapor". eacourier.com. June 13, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Another endorsement deal for WSOF champ Gaethje". eacourier.com. July 31, 2015.
  29. ↑ "MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for March: A true WSOF slugfest". mmajunkie.com. April 3, 2015.
  30. ↑ "MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for September: Rematch brings another win". mmajunkie.com. October 2, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Best of 2015: MMA half-year awards". sports.yahoo.com. June 29, 2015.
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