WSOF 29: “Gaethje vs. Foster” airs live on NBC Sports this Saturday night (March 12, 2016) at Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley, Colorado. In the NBC Sports Network-televised main event, Justin Gaethje will look to defend his Lightweight title against Brian Foster.
If you’re unfamiliar with World Series of Fighting (WSOF) talent, then it would be fair to say Gaethje is the best 155-pound fighter you’ve never heard of not seen. Gaethje’s nickname is no joke, as “The Highlight” delivers them in each and every fight.
His opponent this weekend, Foster, presents a formidable challenge. In WSOF 25’s “Lightweight Tournament,” Foster came back to defeat the same man in the finals, Joao Zeferino, who submitted him in the quarterfinals.
Indeed, Foster earned the opportunity to hand Gaethje (15-0) his first professional loss by winning two of three matches in one night; however, Gaethje tells MMAmania.com that he’s a one-night tournament in his own right, and accordingly, Foster had better prepare to survive another war.
“There’s only one way I’m fighting and that’s that I’m going to go in there and try to finish him. He hasn’t been knocked out since 2007 so I’ve got a big goal in my mind right now. I’m promising to try my hardest to knock him out.”
Foster’s last loss via knockout was courtesy of Diego Brandao in 2008, so Gaethje was pretty close. Either way, it was the only time he was finished by strikes in 33 fights, with a combined record of 25-8. Gaethje is happy to face a tough opponent.
“I think Brian Foster was definitely the better man that night (at WSOF 25). Out of the group of guys (there) he was definitely the one I wanted to fight. I think he’s the most game, I think he definitely presents the biggest challenge to me out of all of those guys so it’s going to be a tough fight.”
Gaethje was impressed when Foster returned as an injury replacement and wound up winning two out of three fights to take the tournament crown.
“That tournament is a test of wills for sure. I’m glad it was him and I’m happy to be facing him.”
I asked Gaethje to give me the measure of his opponent before facing him on Saturday night.
“He hits hard you know! If he connects with that right hand of his he’s definitely putting pretty much anybody to sleep. He’s got some grappling, but I’m not sure if he’s going to want to grapple or not. He’s just really explosive. His attitude sets him apart from a lot of other competitors. I definitely respect his attitude when he comes into the cage. I’m ready for someone to match my hypeness (and) my hyperactivity.”
Gaethje doesn’t get hyped, he stays hyped. In fact, 80 percent of his wins (12 out of 15) come via (technical) knockout. Even though Foster has had success and won titles in other organizations as a Welterweight, Gaethje doesn’t have any size concerns.
“Hopefully, he’s cutting a lot of weight! (*laughing*) I don’t cut very much weight. As far as weight cutting I’ve learned some critical lessons in wrestling and my best performances were when I didn’t cut weight.”
Weight cuts have become a big concern thanks to some high profile incidents involving fighter health and safety. I asked Gaethje if he thinks it will change the sport as we know it.
“We’re grown men. We should be able to cut as much as we want I’d say. I haven’t fought in a state that has taken any of those precautions yet so I haven’t had to deal with any of that. It wouldn’t be a problem for me — I don’t dehydrate myself (more than) 24 hours outside of the weigh in. It might be a problem for some.”
After Marlon Moraes defended his Bantamweight title at WSOF 28 he indicated he’d be willing to fight opponents outside his weight class. Since we’ve seen Conor McGregor jump up two weight classes I asked Gaethje if he thinks Moraes might do the same to face him … or if he might try it himself.
“No. No on both of those questions. I mean I’m trying to be the best 155 pounder in the world and … if the competition’s not there then maybe I’m in the wrong organization for that point in my career.”
To emphasize the point, Gaethje explained that he doesn’t need to worry about Moraes when his opponent on Saturday night is already world class.
“Right now I think Brian Foster’s as good a challenge as anybody in the UFC — maybe not every single person, but he would give a heck of a lot of guys in the UFC a tough match at Lightweight. I feel it’s two Top 20 Lightweights (in the world) going at it.”
If Gaethje’s on the hunt for competition, Timur Valiev and/or Chris Gutierrez would be happy to step up if he beats Foster. However, Gaethje appears to have other ideas.
“I’m in the spot I want to be in, whoever’s next (but) as long as everything goes according to plan Jason High better be ready because it’s his turn. Really anybody that’s going to want to step up (is next). As long as I keep finishing people there’s not gonna be a lot of people that are gonna be calling for me.”
Gaethje wants to live up to his nickname and deliver another “Highlight” on March 12 in Greeley, Colo., live at Bank of Colorado Arena and on NBC Sports.
“I’m really focused on Foster — I think he brings a lot of challenges. It’s a pretty good stylistic match up for me so we’ll see what happens. I’m getting better every fight — you’re going to see an improvement.”
The complete audio of our interview is below and complete fight coverage is HERE on MMAmania.com.
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