Gaethje Credits Striking Coach For Wanting To KO Newell At WSOF 11
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WSOF lightweight champion Justin Gaethje might be a Division I All-American wrestler, he still intends on showing off his constantly improving striking skills on Saturday night against Nick Newell at WSOF 11.
Gaethje, who wrestled for Northern Colorado but was born and raised in Arizona, has developed an impressive striking game under the tutelage of Grudge Training Center head coach Trevor Wittmann over the last two years. In fact, the champ has finished his last six opponents with strikes and he plans on keeping up the streak against fellow undefeated lightweight Nick Newell when he makes his first defense of the WSOF lightweight strap at the Ocean Center in Daytona, Florida.
“I’ve seen Nick fight before and he’s a great grappler,” said Gaethje. “He’s a black belt in jiu-jitsu and you can’t take that away from him, however I know that’s he’s going to try and take me down and I’m going to stop him from doing that. That’s what the fight is going to look like in my opinion.
“Since I’ve been training with Trevor Wittman my stand-up has come on leaps and bounds. He’s done wonders with me because I was not a striker by any means. My first seven or eight fights, from amateur to pro, were all wrestling. Then I came to the Grudge Training Center and everything changed. He’s such a creative coach and luckily for me I’m athletic so it’s really been fortunate for my career.”
Despite having the pressure of being a champion placed on his shoulders, the Arizona born lightweight plans on having fun inside of the cage and having an exciting fight for those watching the event.
“I’m going to go in there and take chances, that’s what I like to do. I’m going to go in there and try some crazy things because I don’t care if I lose. I want everyone to be ready because this is going to be an exciting fight and there’s going to be a finish.”
WSOF 11 will be broadcast live on NBC on Saturday 5th July. Check local listings for times