Media Is Gaethje mentally broken?

[The ScorpioN]

Doubtful. He probably got a fat check from some fat sheik to throw the fight (according to the legend Taktarov), so that was the biggest payday of his career.
He'll be fine.

 

[Peli]

I've noticed that his very few media appearances since 254 he doesn't seem all there to me. Seems a bit run down and demoralized. I don't remember seeing him like that after the losses to Poirier and Alvarez, maybe because they were both close blood and guts fights that he did very well in. Almost seems like he's a bit ashamed of his performance against Khabib.

Then the news comes out that Chandler is fighting Hooker. Did the UFC offer the fight to Gaethje? And if so, why did he turn it down? Could it be that his confidence has been shaken and he needs more time?

The excuses I've read in this thread and the internet is it's the holiday season. He's spending time with family, etc. It's now January 9th and he's still quiet. His coach is still quiet.

We also learned he turned down the chandler fight.

 

[Davey Grant]

No, but being dominated like that does add a bit of vunerability that wasn’t there before. That being said it was Khabib so I think he gets past it. If Chandler did it to him like that it would be a game changer,

 

[Call-of-Cthulhu]

I've noticed that his very few media appearances since 254 he doesn't seem all there to me. Seems a bit run down and demoralized. I don't remember seeing him like that after the losses to Poirier and Alvarez, maybe because they were both close blood and guts fights that he did very well in. Almost seems like he's a bit ashamed of his performance against Khabib.

Then the news comes out that Chandler is fighting Hooker. Did the UFC offer the fight to Gaethje? And if so, why did he turn it down? Could it be that his confidence has been shaken and he needs more time?

For me, as someone who's watched combat sports since the early 70s, yes, I think Justin Gaethje now knows he is NOT the alpha male in the division.

He also knows (now) that his stamina and grappling are sorely lacking.

In a rudimentary fistfight, sure, Justin Gaethje will always be a danger ...
But my read on his body language, and everything else since he got crushed by Khabib, is that Gaethje's soul has been truly beaten.

In other words, will take a lot more than a "pep talk" to get him back in the game, IMO.

 

[RedFoxNdisBihhh]

thread is weird ... some of these questions are hilarious at times

 

[Peli]

For me, as someone who's watched combat sports since the early 70s, yes, I think Justin Gaethje now knows he is NOT the alpha male in the division.

He also knows (now) that his stamina and grappling are sorely lacking.

In a rudimentary fistfight, sure, Justin Gaethje will always be a danger ...
But my read on his body language, and everything else since he got crushed by Khabib, is that Gaethje's soul has been truly beaten.

In other words, will take a lot more than a "pep talk" to get him back in the game, IMO.

The goal was always the title despite what he's said in the past.

Well, now that it's not there. He's probably questioning if he wants to continue doing this. He will come back but I feel of he faces another grappler, there's a high chance he can lose and not because they're bettere fighters than him.

 

[Bob Sapp]

He’ll be alright. Part of the competition process. Come with highs and lows.

And Its not like he hasnt lost before. Porier and Alvarez TKOd him and then went on to come back stronger and made it to a title shot. I think Gaethje is mentally strong if you ask me. Maybe he just doesnt wana deal with the media at the moment and just focus on improving as a fighter.

 

[moosaev]

The excuses I've read in this thread and the internet is it's the holiday season. He's spending time with family, etc. It's now January 9th and he's still quiet. His coach is still quiet.

We also learned he turned down the chandler fight.

There’s no other way to explain his complete lack of appearances as a sign that he’s not mentally all there. Gaethje was at the apex of popularity after 254, why would he squander that platform by going into hibernation? By calling for big fights? It makes absolutely no sense, especially considering how wide open LW is and with guys like Oliveira saying they deserve a title shot immediately without having to fight Gaethje? Poirier is calling for a title shot too. And Gaethje isn’t even publicly asking for a title eliminator, it’s weird. Neither is Ali btw. Which is also weird. Something is going on.

 

[Call-of-Cthulhu]

The goal was always the title despite what he's said in the past.

Well, now that it's not there. He's probably questioning if he wants to continue doing this. He will come back but I feel of he faces another grappler, there's a high chance he can lose and not because they're bettere fighters than him.

Pretty much what I said, so we agree.

 

[Peli]

There’s no other way to explain his complete lack of appearances as a sign that he’s not mentally all there. Gaethje was at the apex of popularity after 254, why would he squander that platform by going into hibernation? By calling for big fights? It makes absolutely no sense, especially considering how wide open LW is and with guys like Oliveira saying they deserve a title shot immediately without having to fight Gaethje? Poirier is calling for a title shot too. And Gaethje isn’t even publicly asking for a title eliminator, it’s weird. Neither is Ali btw. Which is also weird. Something is going on.

He's kinda pulling a ronda. I was never a huge fan of gaethje, but I did respect him as a fighter and I'd consider myself a casual fan if you will. I enjoyed his interviews in the past, I thought most of the time, they were blunt and refreshingly honest. Which is why I find him being so absent disappointing as a fan. He couldn't wait to tell his fans, the media what he learned from the eddie and dustin losses. Now he's disappeared. Again, maybe in due time he will. Maybe this really hurts and it just needs more time to get over it compared to the others, but its disappointing.

Talking all that hot stuff leading up to the fight and no where to be found after the fight. Like come on bruh. Pretty disappointing. Shit, I'd like it more if he was delusional with his loss, like tony or wilder than the disappearing act.

 

[Safton]

It's impossible to say until his next bout. While the whole radio silence bit is somewhat concerning, I don't think it is -- in and of itself -- proof positive that Justin's soul is crushed and he's mentally compromised as a fighter. Justin has shown great mental toughness and the ability to rebound in the past, but I suppose I could buy him being the sort of guy to lose his drive after failing to perform in "the big one". That being said, people are coming up with some mighty powerful conjecture and (IMO) overstating the total mental devastation of a loss to Khabib in here.

Is Justin done? Maybe. Is he showing some very concerning signs? Absolutely. But let's at least wait and see before we play armchair sports psychologist.

Just my two cents.

 

[Kumason]

Justin seems like the last person that would have this issue.