Justin Gaethje names major mistake in Max Holloway KO at UFC 300

"Something I had to learn the hard way," Justin Gaethje tweaking fighting style after Max Holloway loss.

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Justin Gaethje pinpoints what went wrong against Max Holloway.

A lightweight gladiator known for throwing caution to the wind, Gaethje's had a more measured approach as of late. Prior to a brutal knockout loss to Holloway at UFC 300, Gaethje fought beautifully en route to a decision effort over Rafael Fiziev and headkick KO of Dustin Poirier.

Justin Gaethje was stopped by Max Holloway at UFC 300. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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Fighting Passive vs. Aggressive

The momentum the former BMF champion had going for him now gone, with Holloway to thank, Gaethje sees where the holes are in his new, 'passive' fighting style.

"I found success in the Chandler fight and the Fiziev fight, kind of being more passive," Gaethje told UFC on TNT Sports. "I used to be very aggressive and very forward fighter, and then in my mind, I was able to concentrate on not getting hit, not taking damage. At the end of the fight, their face was still jacked up and I was getting the win. I think I kind of bought into that style a little bit too much."

WITH ONE SECOND LEFT ON THE CLOCK! 🤯

MAX HOLLOWAY JUST KNOCKED OUT JUSTIN GAETHJE! #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/X2hYLIuzTL

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 14, 2024

"Especially a guy like Max Holloway, who's so fast, who can cover range so well... really bit me in the a** that night. So, I think it's a give-and-take on how aggressive you need to be. To take a stance where you're gonna go in there and say, 'I'm not gonna get hit,' I think is detrimental to the type of fighter that I am. I think that was ultimately what happened. I think it was something I had to learn - the hard way."

"To take a stance where you say 'I'm not gonna get hit' is detrimental to the fighter I am" 🫡@Justin_Gaethje reflects on the lessons learnt in his last-second knockout loss to Max Holloway with @bisping and @Peety_Editor.#UFC313 | Mar 8 | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/2E6jtGeuFc

— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) March 4, 2025

Return Of 'WSOF' Gaethje?

Handed a KO loss right before the buzzer, "The Highlight" Justin Gaethje lost out on a lightweight title shot, having to fight down the rankings again for another crack at it. Gaethje meets Rafael Fiziev in a rematch at UFC 313 this Saturday after his original opponent Dan Hooker pulled out due to injury.

Coach says Dan Hooker tried to fight Justin Gaethje with one arm at UFC 313

Expect the Gaethje of old in the Octagon.

Justin Gaethje will rematch Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313 this weekend. / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

"If you watched me in World Series of Fighting (WSOF), I'm gonna tap into that guy a little more," Gaethje said.

The durable and highly-dangerous Gaethje went undefeated in WSOF, making his UFC debut in 2017 with a perfect 17-0 record.

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