Sunday night, Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje became the Undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World. Following his victory over Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250, it is now time for Gaethje to hang up his gloves and ride off into the sunset. His victory, against all odds, on the biggest stage of all time is a poetic end for the future Hall-of-Famer.
Gaethje’s UFC career has been one of violence and fearlessness. He exploded onto the UFC scene in 2017, debuting on The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale, destroying Michael Johnson. As his career gained momentum, his punching power became the thing of legends. Khabib Nurmagomedov, one of the greatest fighters of all time, went as far as to say that Gaethje is the hardest hitter he ever faced, hitting him like he just got rammed by a “truck.” His 16-fight UFC career has been one of highlight reels, winning 11 Fight of the Night bonuses and 6 Performance of the Night bonuses, including an $800,000+ bonus at the UFC 250 Freedom event.
Gaethje’s greatest strength has also been his greatest weakness. His reckless fearlessness and powerful overhand rights had devastating effects on opponents but simultaneously left him open to taking clean shots as well. Just three fights into his UFC career, Gaethje had been TKO’d twice, leaving him with a record of 1-2. The record may have been deceiving on paper, but fans and analysts knew better. Regardless of wins or losses, Gaethje has left a string of unrecognizable faces of his opponents match after macth. Unfortunately, he is as much a danger to himself as his opponents.
Gaethje Should Go Out On Top After Brutal Journey To A Title
The damage Gaethje has taken and will continue to take throughout his MMA journey is not sustainable. Following being knocked out against Max Holloway at UFC 300, “The Highlight” took time away from fighting to focus on health. Gaethje stated,
“Metaphorically, I could be ready tomorrow, but physically, I do want to take care of myself. I do think that repeated concussions, with me going to sleep like that, me receiving that shot, it would be foolish for me to jump back into training anytime before 180 days.”
With the repeated strikes to his own head, there is only so much a human can take before the damage becomes irreversible.
Gaethje is also not getting any younger. At 37 years of age, it took nearly a decade to finally win a belt. Much credit should be given for the perseverance Gaethje has shown. He has battled the best and, after almost ten years, has achieved his ultimate goal. As Gaethje takes more damage with age, younger fighters are rising up through the ranks. This is not to say Gaethje cannot win more fights, but to question whether or not now is a perfect time to step away. He has made his money, become a legend, beloved by fans around the world, and against all odds, won the belt.
Fans have watched great athletes fail to retire at the right time, finishing their career in pitiful fashion, such as Jose Aldo, Terrell Owens, Shaquille O’Neal, and Roy Jones Jr. Many athletes struggle to know when to step away from the game gracefully, and this is Gaethje’s opportunity to do it right.
As a lightweight, he has found himself fighting all-time greats in one of the toughest divisions of all time, including the likes of Holloway, Dustin Poirier, Khabib, and Charles Oliveira, culminating in his greatest feat on the White House Lawn. Facing 6-to-1 odds, Gaethje faced off with arguably the pound-for-pound best fighter in the UFC, Topuria.
In true gritty, classic fashion, “The Highlight” survived a round 2 near finish to bounce back and dominate his opponent in one of the greatest upsets in history. It is not fear, but rather the understanding that in a division this competitive, if he loses the title, there may not be enough years left in the tank to retake the throne. There is nothing left for Gaethje to prove.
Final Thoughts on Justin Gaethje’s Legendary Career
Finally, this is a perfect storybook ending to a Hall-of-Fame career. Most athletes dream of a legendary career with a perfect ending. Gaethje has a chance to have it all. The greatest victory in his career came on the biggest stage, at a once-in-a-lifetime event, in front of his favorite president. Gaethje is patriotic, carrying the US flag out for every fight.
To have the opportunity to partake in the UFC 250 Freedom Event, celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States, is something that will never be topped for someone like Gaethje. In almost poetic fashion, the underdog colonists defeating the British Empire 250 years ago, Gaethje represented the USA, beating all odds against an unstoppable force. To add a cherry on top, he is a huge Trump supporter and getting to compete on behalf of the country he loves, in front of the president he loves, couldn’t be sweeter.
Gaethje will go down as one of the greatest to ever compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Fans all across the globe have had the privilege to witness a fighter of fighters. On the biggest stage, under the brightest lights, “The Highlight” gave the ultimate highlight fight of a Hall-of-Fame career in Gaethje fashion. There is no better way to leave the ring than right now, on top, a legend for all time.
