Former WSOF Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje suffered a third round knockout loss to former UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 218.
Despite the fact that he lost the bout, it still somehow feels like a win for the previously undefeated competitor.
“It’s crazy, the way I fight, it’s definitely hard to - I would argue to anybody that I won the first round,” Gaethje said on MMA Tonight. “I did some major damage to his lead leg in that first round. He did a good job of putting his hands on me but definitely didn’t do a lot of damage. He definitely beat me in that second round and in the third round, I thought it was a close fight. If it would have went to the scorecards, I’m sure he would have got it because of the takedown or something and he was a little bit more active with punches but I cause a lot of damage when I do land my strikes and it’s hard to judge that. I’m glad I got knocked out instead of going to a decision and losing because that’s not the way I want to lose. I’m happy with my performance. I feel like I won because I tried so hard. My preparation was there and ultimately I went out and did what I go to do and that’s entertain people and entertain myself really. And I had fun.”
The loss at UFC 218 ended a six-plus year undefeated streak for Gaethje, which began with a victory over Kevin Croom at Ring Of Fire 41 in August 2011.
With the loss a thing of the past, it is nothing but top level opponents ahead in the mind of Gaethje.
“With the way I fight, the UFC’s not stupid,” said Gaethje. “For one, they probably know that they’re don’t have me forever. I’m not gonna be around. They don’t have but six to seven more fights out of me. I believe that I’m one of the top competitors in this division in the world, so I’m gonna keep fighting people at the top of the division for right now.”
While he wants to keep fighting top level opposition, it is unknown right now as to when the previously unbeaten Gaethje will compete again.
