In a candid reflection after his UFC 300 knockout loss to Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje revealed what he considers the “biggest mistake” he made during his camp. Gaethje’s words shed light on the mental and physical challenges he faced during the fight.
Gaethje admitted that he underestimated the danger he was in during the fight. He said, “It was more difficult for my body to go to like a primal state because of my lack of awareness of the danger that my body was in.” This lack of awareness affected his ability to tap into his primal instincts and fight at his best.
Gaethje confessed that he never saw Max Holloway as a potential opponent. Holloway was always in a different weight class, and their paths hadn’t crossed before. This lack of anticipation may have contributed to Gaethje’s inability to fully prepare mentally for the fight.
During the fight, Justin Gaethje suffered a broken nose at the end of the first round. This injury significantly impacted his performance. Gaethje is known for his aggressive style, but the broken nose seemed to stifle his usual approach. Despite the setback, he continued to fight, showing incredible resilience.
Justin Gaethje says the biggest mistake he made was not realizing how much danger he was in against Max Holloway:
“It was more difficult for my body to go to like a primal state because of my lack of awareness of the danger that my body was in.
I never in my life saw Max as an… pic.twitter.com/0itSBuvgnM
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 23, 2024
Justin Gaethje explains how he continued fighting, even with a broken nose
Justin Gaethje explained, “I think the human body does some very special things when it understands and perceives danger. It triggers the fight or flight response, and I always choose fight.” His competitive mindset allowed him to push through the pain and continue battling, even with a broken nose.”
Despite the loss, Gaethje remains committed to his style of fighting. He emphasized that he’s not done and will continue to compete in the future. “That’s the only way that I fight,” he said. “My intentions will be the same.”
In summary, Justin Gaethje’s reflections highlight the mental and physical challenges he faced during his fight against Max Holloway. His lack of awareness, underestimation of the danger, and broken nose all played a role. Yet, Gaethje’s determination and competitive spirit remain unwavering as he looks ahead to future battles in the octagon.
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