Justin Gaethje says BMF title fight vs. Max Holloway could be a ‘battle of attrition’ | ESPN MMA

ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto speaks with Justin Gaethje about his upcoming BMF title fight vs. Max Holloway at UFC 300.
0:00 Shaving the beard
0:52 Fighting at UFC 300
2:04 Risking title fight vs. Makhachev?
4:53 Pressure to take the Holloway bout?
5:48 Dana saying Oliveira vs. Tsarukyan winner gets next
7:57 Thoughts on Max’s chin
11:24 Preparation
14:08 Previously saying he didn’t want to fight Max
16:24 Big fights for Saint-Denis & Tsarukyan
17:48 What BMF belt means to him
#UFC300 #UFC #Gaethje
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[@scattystormborn]

“Be like water. Bruce Lee said it, no one knows what it means..” is the most Chael thing I’ve heard Gaethje say 😂

[@rootiyriddle636]

lol justin trying to convince us he knows how to read. let be real, someone has to make the letter make sense to him lol

[@CrackerBarrelkid555]

😂😂

[@kahiwamcvay430]

Be like water and go through them hoes

[@user-jt9vf9dl6s]

B fluid to everything, adapt to every situation like fluid re-shapes to nething

[@ethandickson9490]

crazy cause the full quote he explains exactly what he means

[@prakalp_]

Justin looks like an innocent high school kid who didn't graduate 😂 Nobody could see this look and say he is the most violent fighter in UFC 🤣💪♥️

[@conrad6639]

lol he looks like his name is Kyle and he hangs around parks smoking cigs

[@beaualoevv]

lncel

[@beaualoevv]

🏳️‍🌈🧀 going to sleep

[@NRC613]

​@@beaualoevvnobody likes u

[@CaillouXO]

When he took off his hat he looked exactly like Matt Hughes

[@AB-ho1cr]

Justin looking like he gonna upgrade your ram for you.

[@anasshahid224]

😅😅

[@beaualoevv]

khabib & charles made him tap 😂😂😂

[@beaualoevv]

justin gaycheese the quitter & tap machine

[@realeyesrealizereallies6828]

Do you really need someone else to upgrade your ram...That's a pretty simple task..But ya, he's looking young with no hair on the face..

[@dan_marino4]

@@beaualoevv homie i’ve been watching you dawg on all these fighters for over a YEAR 😂 get a life bro

[@REVOisMYname]

Respect to Gathje not sitting there begging for a title shot like a lot of those top 5 lightweights were doing over the years. Poirier fighting BSD is a step in the right direction too, the division is much less stale

[@codymachado]

That's a sick fight too, really excited for that one, sometimes high ranked guys vs lower ranked can result in really fun fights. Like when poirier fought Hooker or Bisping fought #13 ranked hendo lol, I know that's not quite the same but there's so many good fights to be made in the ufc atm but guys are hand picking fights.

[@Ar1AnX1x]

Gaethje did really well after getting knocked out back to back(Alvarez and first Poirier fight)because he completely changed his style and became a lot more technical, I remember people talking about how he has like 3 more fights in him in 2017, its impressive to see someone change a lot because humans don't really like to change and are creatures of habit and stubbornness

[@jesusisgod1631]

Yeah you're right it took them all five rounds to win but then second round he knocked him out by head kicked so he did change up alot

[@lokishredz7781]

TKO'D*

[@alcottdevalte7440]

The version of Gaethje that evolved after that and ended Tony's 12 fight winning streak before winning the interim belt was the best version of Gaethje.

[@libertarianpunk8558]

@@alcottdevalte7440 I think he’s fighting even smarter now finally

[@alcottdevalte7440]

@@libertarianpunk8558 Not really and Max is going to show it. Unless someone makes him reckless with high pace and pressure like Khabib and Oliveira did, Gaethje is going to be strategic in his approach. But Max has a similar pace and granite chin like Khabib, so Gaethje is going to panic again. People are sleeping on Max who can match Gaethje in his footwork and boxing.

[@Ar1AnX1x]

I donno about other people but Gaethje vs Poirier 2 was my most anticipated fight of the year, and it delivered in an unexpected way

[@levistern3316]

And there was no fight that even came close

[@Ar1AnX1x]

@@levistern3316 yeah, it just felt like something big is gonna happen the whole fight and it did

[@downfromthereeefters]

I predicted Justin wins by Dec, so even though I wanted the dude to win I was still SHOCKED when it happened. That was my top MMA moment of 2023

[@Ferbmayne003]

I was looking forward to a war on that one. Kind of Disappointing

[@Casteeyo...]

Mine was Pereira vs Jiri ....

[@yoshanity2409]

Gaethje took this fight for 2 reasons: 1) Money 2) He’s probably gonna destroy Max (leg kicks…) Love Holloway, but this feels like a mismatch going up to fight Gaethje in his prime.

[@unbecoming2007]

He couldn't use his favorite calf kicks with DP so he is prolly itchin. Imagine not be able to use 1 of your best weapons in a fight. I agree he will chew Max's legs up to slow him down and because he didn't get to use them last fight. Power threat from Max is nowhere close to DP's left, so he prolly ain't too concerned with counters as he blasts kicks.

[@MrHispanicz]

muscle mass or power whatever is maxs problem

[@merkog7444]

One reason, money

[@seanmatthewking]

If you watch Poirier vs Holloway, you see Max get overwhelmed by power, but he's resilient. And as the fight goes on, the tide turns in his favorite. Too little too late in that fight, but he still made it a fight. Rounds 3-5 is where the fight could get interesting.

[@JOK3RC4RDx]

@@seanmatthewkingfacts people forget Max almost won that fight a couple of times most notably when he randomly threw a flying knee when DP was hurt and DP took advantage and got a takedown he used to recover

[@asadrazzle1859]

Beating Fiziev, Porier & Holloway should definitely give him a title shot

[@JoshuaSmith-no9mn]

Even though Fiziev probably should’ve got the decision honestly, won round 1 clear and badly rocked Justin twice in round 3.

[@rayhan7180]

@@JoshuaSmith-no9mnno way you think fiziev won round 3

[@kyanpepper92teller97]

what about Charles

[@Shakethatbadboy]

The most important question you should ask yourselfs is: when does Kevin Lee fit a title shot?

[@JopJio]

​@@kyanpepper92teller97 he has to beat Arman and not to pull out again

[@BWSilentKnight]

Justin gets BMF belt. Next interview; “Super necessary” 😂

[@dannymaynard4478]

Some else on it 💯 😂✌️

[@keithgordon3823]

Justin sounded great in this interview. No joke! Clear, concise, accurate! Cool interview! I'm not sure who's gonna' be standing after this clash of pure VIOLENCE! I've never seen two unstoppable forces meet in the center, head to head, with no escape plan or retreat. There's gonna' be a lot of blood left on the canvas that night.

[@boblazarrss]

Max will still be standing

[@hi.iampawan]

maybe because he is clean saved and conscious 😁

[@Mcfc2Rich]

Yeah. This BMF belt thing is pretty sick tbh. At first it was a tribute to Nate & Jorge, now it's evolved to the baddest fighters who bang it out competing for a belt. Pretty solid 👌🏻

[@WorkingPieces]

He got his nose fixed after years so he don’t sound like he nose is stuffed

[@brianfigner4317]

nah not much blood just a little nap !! LOL

[@ChristoMac]

The Highlight Justin Gaethje vs Blessed Max Holloway is going to be a classic. Both are naturals, can't wait to watch this super high level fight.

[@beaualoevv]

gaycheese vs hollowhay. mediocre leg kicks vs pillowfists

[@tyyearwood9032]

​@beaualoevv your chronically online. Your 110 lbs I'd love to fold you like a metal chair

[@PoopythePlumber]

@@beaualoevvit’s deeper than that yes max has pillowfist but he has amazing combos and angles and pressure and Justin leg kicks are devastatingly hard

[@Fitkid7672]

@@beaualoevvcasual

[@ETAisNOW]

Max is about to get mauled

[@juamachin]

Gaethje with no beard looks like Gilbert Burns with vitiligo 😂

[@joerotter2873]

I noticed that too lol

[@TheLastStylebender05]

Hahaahahaa bro u are so right lmaooo

[@Tomtomjameson]

Whole new meaning to the term "the baby face assassin"

[@HeliodromusScorpio]

Gaethje going for the youthful look😂

[@beaualoevv]

down syndrome Iook

[@Alexis_Silva83]

He better grow that beard back!

[@torronbrown4107]

@@Alexis_Silva83he’s gonna fight max looking like that

[@chriscp3857]

@@torronbrown4107beards grow fast bud

[@barkacademies3829]

Let’s all take a moment to appreciate what Max vs Justin is on ufc 300. The card honestly could be better overall, but this fight is such a win for us as fans it’s incredible. These two both deserve this spot, and I hope it’s the fight we all think it’s going to be

[@mitchellthomas3727]

What would you add to make it better?

[@scottjohnstone5551]

I think it's going to be max getting hurt....I hope I'm wrong. But I don't think this was a good decision from max.

[@robertbell6217]

Jared cannonier vs khamzat chimaev, cobly covington vs Stephen Thompson, vitor petrino vs ryan spann, Jared Gordon vs elvis brenner​@@mitchellthomas3727

[@asadrazzle1859]

He better grow the beard back for 300 or Max Holloway smokes him 😂

[@joshuatorres1305]

The no beard is a no no

[@Alexis_Silva83]

Bro for real!!!

[@juamachin]

he looks like a white Gilbert Burns

[@Casteeyo...]

Fighters usually use beard for chin pads

[@burns4722]

@@juamachin😂😂😂

[@allanwatts8361]

imagine commenting on another mans facial hair and not thinking it's gae

[@Bug_Man_Semo]

I love Max... It's so sad this has to happen to him. 😢😢

[@keyboardkenny5986]

Poirier was hurting max. Cant imagine what justin does...

[@dannytran1587]

@@keyboardkenny5986MMA math doesn’t work like that. If you’ve watched for longer than 3 months, you would know that

[@keyboardkenny5986]

@@dannytran1587 lmfao been watching for a whiiiiileeeeee man. I know my stuff and if you did too, you could see the possibility of both outcomes

[@daniel106]

@@dannytran1587 your right. Max is going to get killed.

[@bitmantv3660]

Looking forward to this one

[@Phat88Tony]

Gaethje looks like homer Simpson without the beard

[@Ar1AnX1x]

why you little

[@Fellowrser]

He looks like white goober burns

[@HughBlackstone-tm6bw]

Cool it James vick

[@gamebredduramax71]

He makes his opponents brain like Homer Simpson after he fights them

[@ef3602]

Looks like Jim Halpert

[@anasshahid224]

Great interview, Jautin Gaethje is the man, so excited for his BMF title fight against Max Holloway at UFC 300, will be a classic 👏👏👏

[@johnpotratz2642]

$ is on Justin, anyone betting max ? I wonder..

[@StormBred]

Great interview Brett, enjoyed it

[@user-kf7ov2fi4h]

You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it storm.

[@user-kf7ov2fi4h]

😉🤫

[@cosmicsea89]

He used Masvidal and Halloways quotes both in one interview

[@iamharishchand]

Gaethje has knockout punch power and Holloway has durable chin and relentless cardio. What a legendary fight it is going to be. One legend is going down. 😢

[@stephenstuckey]

Justin always gives a good interview. 💯

[@mikemorris9902]

Man I just love this guys energy. Team Gathje all the way. Mr Highlight himself

[@JrFFoo]

This man just earned a fan and my respect

[@abudujana13]

Thanks for the video, ESPN MMA

[@yrshady2042]

So many people called him “the Homer Simpson of mma” that it actually came true😂

[@rcrobturbo9433]

Mad respect for both of these men for sure

[@davidblankinship6705]

The Highlight ❤

[@nahumthesavior]

This aint what we meant when we said a fresh face vs islam lmao

[@tylerdavis520]

🥸

[@d-onedeekool9482]

Respect to this dude. Doesn't trash talk and always brings it to your face. He surely deserves the bmf belt. One thing to fix .... Be careful when you deep head down inorder to avoid shots. Max will not contemplate to strike. That was what cost Usman head-shot-dead against Leon Edward.

[@markdanielsampilo9302]

We might be seeing gaethje,chandler,olivera and mcgregor on a same press conference for ufc 300😮

[@jimmyhale736]

Can’t wait for this fight two legends an will be a great show! Love both guys just glad to be able to watch a great fight. Thanks Justin for being such a great guy so is max! This is the best fight on UFC 300!

[@rekthereaper3760]

Bud light commercial had me laughing

[@KareemAbdul-jabberUFC]

🔦the highlight vs the blessed one🙏🏻

[@alexhudson-]

**googles the word attrition**

[@Evilevilmonkeyy]

It means John cenas left toenails sons fridge

[@shifty277]

The way they ended that interview short makes it sound like Justin was sleeping the belt after the comment stopped in the interview ended lol

[@kc3i839]

Gaethjes' always good for at least a couple unfortunate yet hilarious quotes. "Taste in the fans' mouth"... "be like water... Bruce Lee said it... no one knows what it means..." 😂

[@random__joe]

The man's fence the climb and back flip game is on point though--

[@potatoexpress]

Look’s like the Kid from Bully

[@brooklynweaver1]

Brett is fantastic asks the right q's ... Justin had compelling answers, cant wait for this fight!

[@anthonymontanez267]

this fight is going to be bonkers.

[@rustilldown]

played it safe with that bmf title answer lol

[@zacharysimone5817]

i just popped in to say brett is a great interviewer and gaethje is that dude. that right there is as real as they come boys.

[@pankaj9824]

He’s looking like gordan ryan without beard

[@iamhimandheisme8433]

Crazy fight.

[@9919daniel]

Not the fast and furious reference 😂

[@eljay2224]

Despite all the blows to the head and his simple nature, justin is really smart and well spoken, always comes off with some wisdom and stays humble doing it. We love u man!

[@lawrencehan5591]

Simple nature lmao

[@seanmatthewking]

​@@lawrencehan5591Simple Jack

[@Yashinka]

Everyone seems to forget max dominated Arnold Allen who was the featherweight contender and has serious power. Gaethje is the dominant force in lightweight division but we shouldn’t count out max.

[@RealMattKiefer]

On top of that Allen is HUGE for 45

[@Yashinka]

@@RealMattKiefer agreed man!

[@lucasmcclure2757]

Glad to finally see it. Love Justin but I refuse to count out Max, interesting to see the overwhelming majority saying Justin is just going to walk through Max.

[@nach-bar]

the question is, can max take bombs from gaethje

[@Yashinka]

@@mmaenjoyer wow, that’s quite the exaggeration lol.

[@lccody1537]

I didn't think Justin knew words that big

[@raeganhartley8286]

Real bad man

[@ChristianArms]

I’m so stoked for this fight. I’m a huge Max fan but I’m also aware of how dangerous Justin Gaethje is and how much he has evolved. Seems to be a lot of mutual respect between the two as well. I’m rooting for Max all the way but if I’m a betting man I think I’m going Gaethje since I think Max lacks the power to trade shots with these natural 155 guys…

[@rootiyriddle636]

lol justin trying to convince us he knows how to read. let be real, someone has to make the letter make sense to him lol

[@chadmcclain3462]

I concur 💯 but having big respect for both spirited warriors. I just don't like dis match up at all especially for blessed, Justin is just tew big and way, way tew strong he hits like a Mack truck!

[@seanmatthewking]

​@@chadmcclain3462 "too" not "tew" Just fyi

[@seanmatthewking]

​@@chadmcclain3462 But yeah, big power disadvantage for Max

[@jermasearwig276]

lets go Justin!

[@Lil_JohnE]

Justin why don't you want that trilogy DP💎💎💎

[@callenMMA]

"It is, what it is" Justin Gaethje 2024

[@alcottdevalte7440]

This is going to be a much harder fight for Gaethje than people think. Max can match his footwork and boxing along with having a higher pace and would even land more strikes. ESPN should have gotten rid off Brett by now; simply annoying and never offers anything new during interviews...

[@pixiponpon]

Joanna is paying ESPN under the table to keep him on their books 😉😉

[@wanderlust-]

Being scared is something that makes you work harder

[@NYR-wq7om]

I think it’s going to be an amazing fight.

[@shazbazzy]

Justin needs the facial hair back ASAP 😂😂😂😂😂

[@fairytale2093]

I honestly think this the best time for him to move up weight him vs Leon would be good see how the low kick game goes !!!!

[@Man_Ray78]

I think he looked more contempt in his own than in the last few years. This will be a banger!

[@johnathanswaztech]

Wow very honest

[@jasonvoorhees2916]

Lol looked like Matt Hughes for a minute

[@NotoriousChino]

super necessary

[@Denzel_Watchington]

"No hair just makes me more aerodynamic when I fight" - Dana White's Wife on New Year's

[@timato232]

Gaethje!

[@tylerj6024]

Justin sounded pretty coherent this interview

[@rayrivera1830]

A strong chin is more about seeing the shots coming and roll with it. Justin knows what's up.

[@roanboats1160]

Gaethe and Rockhold same vibe

[@carldieck8373]

I hope max can take some of Justin’s punches if he can it’s gonna be a 5 round blood bath

[@phatman23]

I love Brett interviews. Always a great interview. This and the recent one with Khamzat opened a lot of eyes and answered a lot of unasked questions. Awesomeness!

[@rootiyriddle636]

lol justin trying to convince us he knows how to read. let be real, someone has to make the letter make sense to him lol

[@OOWEEHUZDAT2300]

Justin G is INSANE 💯

[@justinromine4338]

💪💪

[@Jaboa-lb9px]

No more lines!! Thank g0d for Botox😂😂😂😂

[@OHANA-Beach-Suites-CDO]

Trilogy with Dustin!!!! LFG!!!

[@busters1687]

it is what it is!!! hahaha, crack me with the max quote 😂

[@beverlybutler1427]

Ur r a champion!

[@Naksu..]

Hope the winner of this fight gets the next title fight. Makhachev vs ( Gaethje vs Hollaway )

[@hooligan1745]

Espn back with the 2018 720p resolution 😍

[@skylerdickinson5950]

Don’t ever shave again 😂

[@lanitaijeron1526]

Beast

[@gerryhughes9280]

Justin more than deserves a crack at the title again , he beat whoever he had to earn it

[@ricktheruler1665]

I wanna fight brett

[@patithurria6576]

allways a class act justin ...go the highlight

[@luisguerrero9957]

Best UFC 300 bout so far

[@TwinMillMC]

❤ LOVE Justin ❤

[@peterwilliamson2965]

Gaethje is an awesome fighter!

[@seethemore6360]

Justin Gaethje is the type of guy to sound LESS punch drunk the further he gets into his career

[@abirhossen9063]

They should scrap the Gaethje vs Holloway bout and book Makhachev(c) vs Gaethje & Chandler vs Holloway.

[@MustObeyTheRules]

Not a possibility. Islam has Ramadan

[@abirhossen9063]

@@MustObeyTheRules it doesn't have to be in April they can book it on international fight week.

[@windytv7511]

@@abirhossen9063yeah it would have to be Islam cuts way too much weight to cut weight during Ramadan but I don’t think they plan on booking Islam till after Charles and Justin fights happen anyway

[@Youssef-hd5bl]

@@windytv7511 ramadan can help you cut weight if you know how to take advantage of it.

[@R4RB]

6:04 The video got CTE for a second.

[@changetheplanbutneverthegoal]

Crazy fact that max never got knocked out and gaethje is a knockout artist.

[@R4RB]

Just like Justin got a chance because of Tony not sitting out, Max is getting his shot. I see it like Holloway is fighting for a shot at 145 again, especially if he wins impressively, and the highlight is fighting to keep his shot at one double five. Honestly, if Max has an impressive enough performance, he might still get the shot, especially if Topuria wins.

[@ImranKhan-gs2hy]

Who is this kid and what did he do with Gaethje?

[@thomaskent9818]

Water is fluid Justin

[@dominicramirez1736]

He finally vouches for himself after knocking DP out being as good as DP is. This is great for Justin he well deserves a title shot already

[@markdavis8430]

Coach Justin is a new animal

[@nickwilcox5043]

Probably the best light weight fighter to date hard as nails let's go justin ❤

[@fahadus]

1:18 Justin doesn't realize but he literally said here that all 4 of them don't have a chance of beating Makhachev.

[@chrisM4LC0LM]

He needs that beard back ASAP!!!