Justin Gaethje says he is more dangerous coming off losses than wins, and admits that learning to stay committed to the process during successful stretches has been one of the hardest challenges of his career.
Gaethje faces Ilia Topuria in a lightweight title unification bout at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House. Speaking to Grind City Media ahead of the fight, he reflected on the mental challenge of maintaining edge after victories.
“Coming off of losses, I’m much more dangerous than I am coming off wins. That’s the human mind and it’s just a tricky, tricky situation to be in when you’re being successful, to stay as committed to the process as you need to.”
Gaethje pointed to his knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 as a reset that sharpened him for the two wins that followed, including his interim lightweight title victory over Paddy Pimblett. He has previously said he is glad the Holloway loss happened because of what it unlocked in him.
June 14 will be Gaethje’s third attempt at winning the undisputed lightweight title. He also noted a pattern in his UFC losses that he has not been able to shake.
“I’ve only lost to past champions or in championship fights and obviously, that’s not nice. I don’t like that part about my career.”