Should Justin Gaethje change his fighting style?

[Takes Two To Tango]

It seems like this guy doesn't learn from his last fights. The guy fights with no intelligence behind it. I like watching him, but he mainly brawls his way through the fight. Doesn't go for a takedown or even very rarely try to clinch his opponent.

The more he fights at the way does, the likelihood that he will have permanent brain damage before the age of 40. He needs to change his style not only to be a better fighter, but for his own well being.

 

[Your Account]

Propably hangs out too much with Reem.

 

[Reign009]

He doesn't need to completely change it but just be more tactical.

 

[The Bard]

I consider myself a just bleed fan. My favorite fighters of all are guys like Lawler, Cowboy Cerrone, and Fedor. I just can't get behind Gaethje anymore. There is a difference between being an exciting, offense-minded fighter, and being reckless and unintelligent. I can't find his fights as entertaining as they shoupd be when he is losing fights that he should be winning.

Robbie has an outstanding hand trap game and the type of subtle head movement that keeps him from absorbing many shots full force. Cowboy has a good understanding of range, and he has used that to at least somewhat account for his poor boxing defense. Fedor was outstanding with his reflexes, shoulder / chin posture and counters.

There's a difference between being exciting + skilled and just being stupid. The guy is very quickly ruining what could have been an awesome, potentially-champion level career. His leg kicks are brutal, and his cardio is amazing, to go along with his elite durability, if that still exists. He could work on his footwork and boxing and be one of the top guys in his weight class for years to come. It is really hard to be a fan of a guy who refuses to do his best work in the cage.

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

His style got him to where he is now, headlining UFC cards. Changing it and fighting safe would just kill his appeal.

 

[KantoTerror]

A few tweaks would be ok. His offense is pretty good and his leg kicks are brutal...He just needs to think that the guy in front of him will also try to knock his head off. Sometimes I feel like he simulates his offense like his opponent won't fight back....then he gets hit and it makes him even more aggressive. He needs to give them angles...not just walk them down with a "kill or be killed" mentality. That's just one aspect of fighting...there's also the aspect of "protect yourself at all times".

 

[Bogeyman]

I like watching him how he is but he definitely needs to work on footwork and defense.

 

[Sid Arthur]

The real problem is, it's taken him as far as it can take him. He might win 3 of 10 against Poirier, but that's about the level of that style considering his physical gifts.

If he wants to be more than a gatekeeper and a spectacle, he'll need to adapt somewhat.

 

[MileHigher]

Complicated question. I don't think its totally fair to say he fights with no intelligence. There is absolutely a method to the madness that is his style. He says he wants 5 more fights and then he will pursue other goals he has outside of fighting. If that's what he truly wants you can argue he has a very solid gameplan.

If he wants to have a long career and hold a title for any significant period of time, that's another story. In that case of course he would have to change. It really all depends on what Gaethje wants to do with his life. I don't think it's for us to say what he should do. He's a unique case.

 

[DonCarlos]

For his health - yes.

For our entertainment - no.

 

[funksoulbrother]

He’s only hanging around for 5 more pretty sure he doesn’t intend on changing his approach at all

 

[J0N0]

Ha! People will vote that he should change his style, but they'll moan if he does.

It doesn't mean he'll be better off anyway. For every GSP who gained more success, there's another guy like Miguel Torres who could only really fight effectively by going balls to the wall and ended up getting more damaged by trying to be something he wasn't

 

[Rvd Slmr]

Changing it and fighting safe would just kill his appeal.

His style is so wild that fighting safer and smarter would still be far from fighting safe. He should at least threaten with a few takedowns and not just stand there eating three punches to the ear to land one leg kick.

 

[Alxair]

Before the age of 40? There are still some months before he turns 30, he could sneak in a fight there and come a decade early.

 

[beastman]

I think he should still blow up the other guys leg in the first round, use takedowns after.

 

[COBRA03]

There was a US HW boxing contender in the 1970's named Jerry Quarry. Tough guy who had a chin of granite and had it tested way to often, just like Gaethje. After his career was over, he was interviewed and when he was asked what he had done for a profession, he replied that he was a pro football player! Didn't even remember being a fighter or having fought Muhhamid Ali. Died before his 60th birthday. I love watching Gaethje fight, but fear for his future as a retired fighter.

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

Its his appeal. but its certainly not healthy or wise to fight like that. Guys who fight like that never end up in a good way.

He seems happy and totally fine with throwing 1 leg kick if it means he will eat 4 punches to the face. thats not good fight IQ and you won't end up in a good way at the end of it.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Exciting!!! Has proved that over and over. The guy goes out there to Bang. Just needs to eat less punches... Not the best idea when you are fighting top-tier guys with power.

 

[cgh]

If you are worried about brain damage, you shouldn't be fighting, right?

Grown ups can undermine their intelligence for my entertainment, so

 

[MRT]

I respect Gaethje and what he has accomplished thus far, but I think he is a fucking idiot for the way he chooses to fight.

IMHO, he is not only taking way more damage than he otherwise would, he is also holding himself back from achieving his full potential in the UFC.

I don't believe that his success is dependent on his current style...I think he limits himself with it.