Justin Gaethje was on the wrong end of the greatest knockout in UFC history last weekend at UFC 300, but “Highlight” doesn’t have any regrets taking his “BMF” title fight opposite Max Holloway.
To much surprise, Gaethje put his lightweight title hopes on hold in order to accept a high-profile bout with Holloway at the historic UFC 300 card in Las Vegas, Nevada. UFC 300 was completely stacked from top to bottom, but fight fans pinpointed Gaethje’s “BMF” fight with Holloway for good reason. Both Gaethje and Holloway are two of the most dangerous, respected, and beloved fighters in all of mixed martial arts (MMA). Their matchup was always going to produce fireworks.
Despite Holloway being a betting underdog and moving up to 155 pounds for the first time since a loss to Dustin Poirier back in 2019, “Blessed” looked incredible from the opening bell. Gaethje did some good damage to Holloway’s leg and even mixed in a knockdown late into the fight, but Holloway shined from start to finish. His efforts culminated with a blistering, buzzer-beating knockout that left Gaethje unconscious and fight fans in complete amazement.
While some fighters might regret putting themselves in a firefight against Holloway and not coming out on top, Gaethje has no remorse about his decision to defend his “BMF” title at UFC 300.
Justin Gaethje has no regrets taking the Max Holloway fight, and says he’s happy for Dustin Poirier for getting the title shot:
“I have no regrets. I had so much fun, I think it was such a huge, historic card for the UFC. It was a huge risk, I failed.
If I would’ve won that… pic.twitter.com/bIzlLDcyK4
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 20, 2024
“[It’s a] Crazy game, you know?” Gaethje told MMA Knockout. “I think a lot of people in my position would have set out not taking [the Holloway fight]. I have no regrets. I think it was — I had so much fun I think it was such a huge historic card for the UFC. And to be a part of that, to be the best fight on that card, you know, is gonna live on forever.
“And again, it was a huge risk, I failed, and if I would have won that fight, if I’d got a quick knockout, I would have been taking that fight [against Makhachev], but it’s just the name of the game.”
At least Gaethje woke up for Sunday.
Gaethje, who snapped a two-fight win streak with his loss to Holloway, will now regroup and fight his way back to title contention at 155 pounds. He may have put himself in a position to fight current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev with a win at UFC 300, but now that right is going to Poirier, who will meet the champion at UFC 302 this coming June.
“I’m happy for Dustin,” Gaethje said. “Good for him. Somebody had to fight. I think no matter what, win or lose, it was gonna be pretty much impossible turn around and fight in 5 or 6 weeks.
“So this is the way that UFC wanted to go. And so I guess, you know, I can’t complain about it because I don’t want to sound like — I really have no complaints because it is what it is. I’m not gonna let it eat me up.”
For complete UFC 300 results, coverage and highlights click HERE.