Justin Gaethje faced a devastating knockout in the final moments of his bout against Max Holloway during UFC 300, relinquishing the ‘BMF’ title and potentially his shot at a lightweight title opportunity.
Michael Bisping recently suggested that Gaethje’s previous success, particularly his knockout win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291, might have led to overconfidence in his fight against Holloway.
Michael Bisping on Justin Gaethje’s
During a discussion on the TNT Sports’ post-fight show, Bisping expressed his views, emphasizing that Gaethje appeared overly focused on landing a knockout blow and may have telegraphed his moves as a result.
He noted Gaethje’s reliance on power punches and leg kicks without setting them up effectively, dubbing him “leg kick Larry” in jest. Bisping also highlighted that Gaethje had the option to wait for a title shot against Islam Makhachev but chose to fight Holloway instead, leading to his defeat.
While Gaethje’s loss was significant, it’s worth noting that he could have waited for a title opportunity against Makhachev. However, he decided to defend his ‘BMF’ title against Holloway, showcasing his willingness to compete against tough opponents.
In response to Gaethje’s sportsmanship and bravery, Holloway commended his opponent in a tweet, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to compete against him and acknowledging Gaethje as a true warrior.
It takes two to tango. I couldn’t have asked for a better dance partner for #ufc300 . It was an honor to share that octagon with you @Justin_Gaethje . A true BMF in every way, thank you for the opportunity. Shoutout to the real ones who has been rocking with me. I said it before… pic.twitter.com/SpMLv0HlYb
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) April 14, 2024
Both fighters received substantial bonuses for their thrilling bout, with Holloway also earning the Performance of the Night award.Although the spotlight may be on Holloway as the new ‘BMF’ champion, Gaethje’s efforts and sportsmanship in the fight deserve recognition as well.
