UFC lightweight Justin Gaethje put on a fight of the year contender back at UFC on FOX 29. However, the fighter ultimately suffered a tough loss to his opponent. Following criticism concerning his lack of wrestling from the match up, Gaethje has come forward with a statement.
Gaethje is a former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler from the University of Northern Colorado. With that in mind, the mixed martial artist rarely utilizes his wrestling inside the octagon. When faced with Dustin Poirier at UFC on FOX 29, the fighter elected to stand and trade with his opponent until being TKO’d in the fourth round.
Speaking to MMA journalist Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Gaethje offered his thoughts on the matter.
“I should have and could have taken him down a couple times.” Gaethje said.
“But, for some reason, my mind would just not let me do it.” The fighter later continued.
For Gaethje’s full thoughts, check out the video below:
.@Justin_Gaethje says "something" stopped him from going for takedowns/wrestling in the fight even when it would be advantageous. #TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/ZdWo3jvvbs
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) April 23, 2018
