Justin Gaethje Reveals the Origin of ‘The Highlight’ Nickname

Justin Gaethje was called “The Highlight” before he learned to hit. Gaethje is now known for engaging in brutal brawls, making him one of the most entertaining fighters on the UFC roster. But Gaethje was originally a college wrestler who learned to hit under the tutelage of coach Trevor Wittman. Gaethje recently revealed that she had already competed in five amateur fights before Wittman took him under his wing. Gaethje had not thrown a punch or been hit by a punch before his fifth amateur fight. While most wrestlers aren’t fan favorites, Gaethje was an entertainer even in pure wrestling. Gaethje earned his nickname “The Highlight” before he even started striking. Gaethje recently revealed that he earned his nickname by punching his opponents.

A raw talent

“I’ve had five amateur fights,” Gaethje told Joe Rogan. “Never had a street fight, no 1-on-1 street fight, a couple of big brawls. Never punched, never punched. I got hit hard in my fifth fight, almost got knocked out. I thought, ‘If I want to do this, I gotta find a coach.’… I had no skills. It was just go out there and wrestle, take them down, hit them. [mostly]. I got my nickname “The Highlight” before I ever knew how to hit, and that came from throwing, throwing people.”Gaethje (26-5) knocked out his opponent with a slam in his MMA debut in 2011. Now best known for his standup, “The Highlight” can hold his own among the most elite strikers in the UFC. Gaethje will face Paddy Pimblett (23-3) for the interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas.