Gaethje On Holloway KO: 'Huge Building Block'

Justin Gaethje credits his knockout loss to Max Holloway as a critical step in his path to becoming UFC lightweight champion.

Gaethje, who currently holds the undisputed 155-pound title after victories over Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria, suffered a dramatic final-second finish against Holloway at UFC 300. Speaking to CBS Sports, as reported by MMA Junkie and BJPenn.com, the champion reflected on how that defeat shaped his subsequent triumphs.

Building Block To Current Success

"I think that Max Holloway fight was a huge building block to the person and the legacy that I've built," Gaethje told CBS Sports. "Without that, this win over Topuria wouldn't have been as special, especially with Ilia beating him, knocking him out and then me going in there finding success. I couldn't write it any better."

The champion also addressed his fighting future, noting he relies heavily on his team for retirement decisions. "I still need to continue to fill out the pros and cons, but ultimately I am in the fight until I'm not in the fight," he said. "When I will retire, I have no idea. How many I have left, I have no idea. It's been one at a time since Day 1."

Gaethje added that his team and family will guide him when the time comes to step away. "I'm gonna continue to take it like that and trust in my team to have a conversation with me when they need to," he said.

No date has been announced for Gaethje's next title defense.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Justin Gaethje has an interesting view on KO loss to Max Holloway