Aljamain Sterling has expressed strong concerns regarding Justin Gaethje’s jiu-jitsu capabilities. Ahead of Gaethje’s upcoming fight against Paddy Pimblett, Sterling highlighted a significant gap in Gaethje’s grappling skills.
Fight Overview
Justin Gaethje, holding a record of 26 wins and 5 losses in mixed martial arts (MMA), will face Paddy Pimblett, who boasts a 23-3 MMA record. This bout is set for January 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where the interim lightweight title will be on the line.
Past Performance
Gaethje has previously stumbled in title fights. He lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, both by submission choke. This background allows Sterling to question Gaethje’s readiness for the fight against Pimblett, who has secured 10 career wins via submission.
Sterling’s Observations
- Sterling criticized Gaethje’s jiu-jitsu skills, saying they are “non-existent.”
- He expressed doubt about Gaethje’s commitment to training in jiu-jitsu.
- Sterling warned that being submitted by a rear-naked choke would be particularly disappointing.
Nonetheless, Sterling acknowledged that Gaethje has evolved as a fighter. He noted Gaethje’s recent strategic approach in matches, stating that he has fought “smarter” and utilized his wrestling effectively.
Future Expectations
Sterling cautioned that if Gaethje performs as he did in previous fights, particularly against Khabib, it could be detrimental. However, he remains hopeful that Gaethje’s improvements in his overall skill set will shine through in this upcoming match.
As the fight date approaches, both fighters will be looking to showcase their strengths. Fans are eager to see whether Gaethje can overcome the perceived gaps in his grappling skills against a formidable opponent like Pimblett.
