Video – Justin Gaethje returns to the gym 6 weeks after his brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway

Video - Justin Gaethje returns to the gym 6 weeks after his brutal knockout loss to Max HollowaySix weeks removed from his brutal knockout loss at UFC 300, Justin Gaethje is already back in the gym….

Video - Justin Gaethje returns to the gym 6 weeks after his brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway

Six weeks removed from his brutal knockout loss at UFC 300, Justin Gaethje is already back in the gym.

After claiming the BMF title with a sensational second-round head-kick KO against Dustin Poirier last summer, ‘The Highlight’ became the first man to defend the bragging rights belt. Featuring at the promotion’s landmark event on April 13, Gaethje stepped inside the Octagon with former featherweight champion Max Holloway and delivered an instant classic.

Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway

Unfortunately, things would not go Gaethje’s way as the former interim titleholder suffered a brutal buzzer-beating knockout, ending his short run with the BMF belt and effectively taking him out of the lightweight title picture for the time being.

Justin Gaethje vs. Holloway

Less than two months removed from the four-minute and 49-second war, Justin Gaethje is already trying to get back into the swing of things, courtesy of a video clip shared on the fan favorites’ Instagram.

“Trying to get back in the routine, ” he wrote.

What’s next for Justin Gaethje?

We’re still a long way off from seeing Justin Gaethje back inside the Octagon as he previously told MMA Hangout that he wanted to take at least six months off before jumping back into full-on training.

“Metaphorically, I could be ready tomorrow, but physically, I do want to take care of myself,” Gaethje said. “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.

“I could do cardio, I can stay in shape, that’s what I want to try and do — especially [with] the older I get, the harder it is to get back to the best shape of my life, so I want to stay active. Obviously, the physical contact is going to be limited for quite some time, just because I want to preserve myself. … I think six months, at least, before I get back to taking shots. But that doesn’t say that I won’t be training the whole time” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Who he faces in his inevitable return will ultimately come down to how things play out at the top of the division over the next several months.

On Saturday, June 1, reigning lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev is scheduled to defend his title against two-time Gaethje opponent Dustin Poirier in the UFC 302 headliner. It will likely be Poirier’s final shot at gold as ‘The Diamond’ has already been talking about retirement following the fight — win or lose.

Makhachev vs. Poirier

Should Makhachev survive ‘The Diamond,’ he’ll likely find himself paired up with No. 1 ranked contender Arman Tsarukyan this October when the UFC makes its annual fall pit stop in Abu Dhabi.

How those two fights shake out will determine what comes next for Gaethje and ‘The Highlight’ guns for one more shot at the 155-pound crown before laying down his own gloves.

Conor McGregor hopes to see Justin Gaethje drop the gloves and join BKFC: ‘That’s really, really exciting’

Conor McGregor wants to see Justin Gaethje drop the gloves and join BKFC: 'That's really, really exciting'Conor McGregor would love to see Justin Gaethje trade in his four-ounce gloves for a pair of hand wraps….

Conor McGregor wants to see Justin Gaethje drop the gloves and join BKFC: 'That's really, really exciting'

Conor McGregor would love to see Justin Gaethje trade in his four-ounce gloves for a pair of hand wraps.

In April, the Irish megastar shocked everyone when he revealed that he was now a part owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, one of the fastest-growing brands in all of combat sports. Bringing his name to the bustling world of bare knuckle boxing, there’s no telling what could happen or who could show up inside the squared circle.

During a recent interview with TheMACLife ahead of his highly anticipated return to the Octagon at UFC 303 on June 29, the former two-division champion suggested that the BKFC could give new life to MMA fighters looking for a change of pace.

Justin Gaethje

Conor McGregor would rather see fighters go to BKFC than another MMA promotion

During the conversation, ‘Mystic Mac’ suggested that a move from the cage to the ring for former BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje would be a very exciting sight to see.

“We’ve seen former UFC champions or UFC veterans move to other mixed martial arts promotions,” McGregor said. “We’ve seen them fight MMA all their career and now they still fight MMA. It doesn’t pop for me. Now let’s take Justin Gaethje, who is a UFC veteran, former BMF holder, interim belt holder — take him, let’s put him in bare knuckle. That’s exciting. That’s really, really exciting.

“Now let’s take him and put him in another MMA organization, not so [exciting].”

From the start, the BKFC has bolstered its name on the back of current and former MMA stars including Luke Rockhold, Chad Mendes, Eddie Alvarez, Thiago Alves, Michael ‘Venom’ Page, and, of course, its biggest name of all, ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry.

Mike Perry

It looks as though another former UFC champion could be toeing the line before long.

Hall of Famer ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler was recently spotted alongside BKFC founder and president David Feldman, leading to immediate speculation that the ex-welterweight champion could be knuckling up against the likes of Mike Perry before long.

Robbie Lawler with BKFC president David Feldman

Justin Gaethje ruled from future Islam Makhachev fight after UFC 300 loss: ‘He was the biggest threat to us’

Justin Gaethje ruled from future fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 300 He was the biggest threat to usFollowing his spectacular defeat to Max Holloway at UFC 300 earlier this month, any chances that Justin Gaethje will…

Justin Gaethje ruled from future fight with Islam Makhachev after UFC 300 He was the biggest threat to us

Following his spectacular defeat to Max Holloway at UFC 300 earlier this month, any chances that Justin Gaethje will fight Islam Makhachev for the lightweight crown in the future have been axed by head coach, Javier Mendez, who admitted the former was likely the biggest “threat” to the Russian’s title reign.

Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion, featured as the first of three ‘championship’ fights at UFC 300 earlier this month, taking on former featherweight kingpin, Holloway in the pair’s symbolic BMF title fight. 

Max Holloway shows off dama
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

And en route to a comfortable decision loss to the Hawaiian, Gaethje was flattened with a single second remaining in the fifth round of their UFC 300 clash, resulting in a harrowing buzzer-beating knockout defeat.

Islam Makhachev calls for division move after UFC 302 I've already beat everyone at lightweight
Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacece

As for Makhachev, the current pound-for-pound number one fighter on the promotion’s books, is slated to headline UFC 302 in June in New Jersey, taking on soon-to-be common-foe, Dustin Poirier in an undisputed lightweight title fight.

Justin Gaethje ruled from title fight with Islam Makhachev

And off the back of his defeat, Gaethje – who plans an extended break away from active competition, has been ruled from a fight with Makhachev in the future, by the Russian’s head coach – who admitted the Arizona native was likely going to pose the biggest difficulty to the reign of the American Kickboxing Academy product.

Justin Gaethje claims he's not done after UFC 300 loss to Max Holloway I will fight in the future

“Yeah to me, the guy – out of all the guys that I thought was stylistically very dangerous, out of all of them, I thought it was Justin Gaethje,” Javier Mendez said on his podcast. “Stylistically, because of his wrestling pedigree, you know. And his striking is really good, [he’s] strong.”

“It’s all apples and oranges, right,” Mendez explained. “Everybody brings a different skillset, so I thought he was the biggest threat for us. And now, he’s probably never going to be in the picture for us, going forward. No need to talk about him as a threat because he’s never going to be there anymore, I don’t think.”

Who would have won in a lightweight title fight: Islam Makhachev or Justin Gaethje?

Justin Gaethje planning six month plus hiatus after UFC 300 loss: ‘I want to take care of myself’

Justin Gaethje plans six month hiatus from the UFC after KO loss to Max Holloway I want to take care of myselfFormer interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje has confirmed plans to take a six-month hiatus from the Octagon at a…

Justin Gaethje plans six month hiatus from the UFC after KO loss to Max Holloway I want to take care of myself

Former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje has confirmed plans to take a six-month hiatus from the Octagon at a minimum following his UFC 300 knockout loss to Max Holloway in the pair’s symbolic BMF title fight earlier this month.

Gaethje, the current number three ranked division contender, featured on the main card of UFC 300 earlier this month, taking on former featherweight champion, Holloway in defense of his symbolic BMF crown.

Justin Gaethje claims he's not done after UFC 300 loss to Max Holloway I will fight in the future

And en route to a rather comfortable decision loss to the Hawaiian favorite, Gaethje was summoned to the Octagon center with just 10 seconds remaining in the final frame – finding himself on the receiving end of a winning right hook counter from Holloway, felling him unconscious in brutal fashion.

Justin Gaethje planning extended hiatus

Confirming plans for an extended hiatus from the sport, Arizona veteran, Gaethje appeared to hint at a potential six month layoff at the minimum – prioritizing his recovery following a ghastly knockout defeat.

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Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

“Metaphorically, I could be ready tomorrow, but physically, I do want to take care of myself,” Justin Gaethje told MMA Hangout during a recent interview. “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.”

“I think six months, at least, before I get back to taking shots,” Justin Gaethje explained. “But that doesn’t say that I won’t be training the whole time.”

Justin Gaethje reveals the biggest mistake he made in UFC loss to Max Holloway he fought perfectly
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

Immediately shutting down suggestions of a retirement off the back of his knockout loss, Gaethje vowed to make a triumphant return, after heaping praise on the massive performance put in by Holloway – whom he openly admitted to feeling he would never stand opposite in a fight. 

Who would you like to see Justin Gaethje fight in his return to the UFC?

Justin Gaethje reveals ‘Biggest mistake’ he made in fight with Max Holloway: ‘I think he fought so perfect’

Justin Gaethje reveals the biggest mistake he made in UFC loss to Max Holloway he fought perfectlyJustin Gaethje says he made a significant mistake against Max Holloway at UFC 300. Gaethje was defending his BMF…

Justin Gaethje reveals the biggest mistake he made in UFC loss to Max Holloway he fought perfectly

Justin Gaethje says he made a significant mistake against Max Holloway at UFC 300.

Gaethje was defending his BMF belt in the featured bout against Holloway in a very intriguing matchup. It was a fan-friendly fight, but going into the bout, Gaethje says he made a key mistake as he didn’t realize how much danger he was in by fighting the Hawaiian.

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Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

“I think if I made a mistake, the biggest mistake was not realizing or understanding through the camp how much danger I was in,” Justin Gaethje said to the Dan LeBatard show (via MMAMania). “I know that was a mistake now. I think it was more difficult for my body to go to a primal state because of my lack of awareness of the danger that that my body was in. Not that I didn’t give Max respect. It was more the fact that I never in my life saw Max as an opponent that I would potentially fight.

“He was always in a different weight class. I never was like, ‘This is a guy I wanna fight.’ There’s never been another fight in my career where I’ve been like, ‘I didn’t expect to fight this guy,’ or ‘I have too much respect for this guy.’ Not that I didn’t wanna hurt him, I was willing to hurt him,” Justin Gaethje clarified. “But the lead up was very different — even Donald Cerrone was my friend back in the day, but he he knocked me out in a practice in, like, 2010. So I was like, I wanna get that back.”

“The competitor of me wants to get that back. There was nothing, that fire wasn’t there. And I think that was probably the biggest mistake that I made going into this fight. It’s something that I that I’m gonna learn from. But again, all credit to Max for for the way that he fought. I think he fought so perfect.”

Justin Gaethje claims he's not done after UFC 300 loss to Max Holloway I will fight in the future

Justin Gaethje ended up suffering a knockout loss to Max Holloway with one second left in the fifth round to lose his BMF title.

Justin Gaethje plans to take time off after UFC 300 loss

Following the knockout loss at UFC 300, Justin Gaethje says he will be taking some much-needed time off to heal up his brain and make sure he’s healthy.

Max Holloway Justin Gaethje KO UFC 300 Pros react UFC 1024x587 1

Gaethje says he will be taking 180 days off of taking contact, as he wants to make sure he is 100 percent healthy for his next fight.

“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 to jump back into training anytime before 180 days,” Gaethje said. “I could do cardio. I could stay in shape. That’s what I wanna try to do, especially the older I get, the harder it is to get back to the best shape of my life. So I wanna stay active. But obviously, the physical contact is gonna be limited for quite some time, just because I wanna preserve preserve myself. I think six months at least before I get back to taking shots.”

When and who Gaethje will fight in his return is uncertain.

Justin Gaethje insists he’s ‘Not done’ after KO loss against Max Holloway: ‘I’m gonna fight in the future’

Justin Gaethje claims he's not done after UFC 300 loss to Max Holloway I will fight in the futureOff the back of his stunning fifth round buzzer-beating KO loss to Max Holloway in the pair’s symbolic BMF…

Justin Gaethje claims he's not done after UFC 300 loss to Max Holloway I will fight in the future

Off the back of his stunning fifth round buzzer-beating KO loss to Max Holloway in the pair’s symbolic BMF title fight at UFC 300 last weekend, former interim champion, Justin Gaethje has shut down a potential retirement from the sport, claiming he plans to continue fighting into the future.

Gaethje, a former interim lightweight gold holder, and a former BMF champion under the promotion, saw his two-fight winning run snapped over the course of last weekend against former featherweight champion, Holloway. 

Max Holloway Justin Gaethje KO UFC 300 Pros react UFC 1024x587 1

En route to a definitive unanimous decision loss to the Hawaiian, Gaethje elected to stand and trade with the ex-champion in the final 10 seconds of the last round, upon request.

Suffering a brutal KO loss in the final second of their clash at UFC 300, Gaethje was slumped to the canvas in face-planting fashion – with Holloway recording one of the most viral and spectacular knockout wins in the history of the organization.

Justin Gaethje vows to continue fighting despite UFC 300 loss

Sharing his thoughts on his defeat to Holloway, Arizona native, Gaethje insisted he would return to fighting – and promised the “best live show on Earth” in his next outing to the Octagon.

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Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

“I mean, [the fight] was certainly a war,” Justin Gaethje told MMA Knockout during a recent interview. “Certainly the definition of a war, especially getting put to sleepl like that. That definitely counted as one. Yeah, but I’m not done. I’m gonna fight in the future – and that’s the only way that I fight.”

Max Holloway shows off dama
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

“So even if I wanted to change how I fight, it’s really not possible,” Justin Gaethje explained. That’s how I compete. It’s how I’ve competed since I was a kid. And so the next time I step in there, you know, the best live show on Earth. We’ll see if I have as good a dance partner, as I had this last weekend. But yeah. My intentions will be the same.”

Who would you like to see Justin Gaethje fight in his return?