Justin Gaethje Targets UFC’s best at 155 after WSOF 11 title fight with Nick Newell
By Steven Marrocco
WSOF lightweight champ Justin Gaethje isn’t cocky enough to say there’s absolutely no way he can be submitted by Nick Newell, but he certainly doesn’t think it’s likely.
“I’m a Division I All-American – he’s not going to grab my neck and choke me out,” Gaethje told MMAjunkie Radio. “He could easily rock me with an elbow, a kick, or a knee, and then choke me out. That’s a possibility.
“But he’s not going to wrestle me to the ground and choke me out. That’s impossible.”
In July, Gaethje (11-0) attempts the first defense of his belt against the popular Newell (11-0), who’s known for trapping his opponents in armbars and guillotine chokes despite having only one fully formed arm.
Gaethje respects Newell and his career accomplishments, but can only fathom one scenario where he might find himself in a situation to tap out. As much as Newell has been able to buck the odds in 11 professional fights, Gaethje believes his upcoming opponent hasn’t really been challenged in the cage.
“Nick Newell has never fought a wrestler,” Gaethje told MMAjunkie Radio. “Nick Newell has almost never fought anyone with any kind of grappling skills. So I don’t know what he’s going to do when he can’t take me down.”
Both fighters carry an identical record at 11-0, but the majority of Gaethje’s wins are by knockout, while Newell has submitted most of his opponents. Naturally, Gaethje plans to keep the fight on its fight, where he believes Newell is at a severe disadvantage.
“He can’t stop a right hand or a right head kick,” Gaethje said. “That’s what I’m going to throw, over and over.”
Gaethje’s nonstop approach to striking offense already has paid dividends, earning him the WSOF belt in January after a bruising performance against Rich Patishnock. Since debuting for the NBC Sports Network-televised promotion, he’s won four straight bouts, finishing all of his opponents.
Such success leads eventually leads to the UFC, where the sport’s top lightweights reside. Gaethje has four fights remaining on his contract and wants to help WSOF grow, but he said he ultimately has his eye on bigger things.
“At some point I have to fight the No. 1 lightweights in the world, and they’re not in the World Series right now,” he said. “If they’re not in the World Series when I can take those opportunities, then [I have to sign with the UFC].”
Right now, though, Gaethje has at least another year with the WSOF. Provided he can escape Newell’s submission attempts, he could be on his way to lightweight stardom.