WSOF 6 winner Justin Gaethje: Top 10 ranking possible even outside the UFC
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Michael Chandler, Gilbert Melendez and Eddie Alvarez. Those are just a few names in the lightweight division who have made their mark in the sport outside the UFC.
World Series of Fighting’s Justin Gaethje believes he can join that group.
In his short and undefeated MMA career, Gaethje (10-0) has already put together an impressive resume that includes wins over veterans such as Drew Fickett, Gesias Cavalcante and most recently, Dan Lauzon. Gaethje earned a second-round knockout over Lauzon (17-5) at this past weekend’s WSOF 6 event in Florida, giving him nine knockout or submission finishes in 10 career victories.
Currently happy with his status under the WSOF banner, Gaethje hopes the promotion can continue to find tough opponents who will raise his credibility as a top-tier 155-pound fighter.
“I fight the way I do because I want it to be tough for people to say that I’m not right there with the best in the world,” Gaethje told MMAjunkie.com Radio. “That’s what my goal has been and my plan has been the whole time – just go out there and show people I’ve been working my whole life toward this, and this is what I do.”
At just 24, Gaethje has no intentions of trying to rush to the top of the ladder.
He’s happy to go through the developmental process, and with WSOF’s budding lightweight division in mind, the Arizonan wouldn’t mind competing for the division’s inaugural title against someone like Luiz Firmino or Nick Newell.
“A fight equals a paycheck, and that’s what I’m here for, and I don’t care if it’s for a belt or whatever,” Gaethje said. “I just want to fight.”
Gaethje is hopeful to get one more fight before 2013 comes to an end, but if it doesn’t happen, he’s eyeing a return to the cage early next year.
The fighter obviously wants to take on a respected opponent, but if he has to continue to build his resume against fighters with an unfamiliar names, that’s OK too.
At the end of day, Gaethje, like most fighters, has the goal to be considered the best in the world. And whether it’s with WSOF or elsewhere, Gaethje knows he has what it takes to not just hang, but to beat the elite of the sport.
“I’m quite convinced there is no one that’s going to make me quit in the world, so I would love to fight anybody,” Gaethje said. “I’m just going to keep fighting and making a mark on the sport. I think it will all come. I’m not going to rush it.”
For more on WSOF 6, stay tuned to the MMA Events section of the site.