The episode opens by discussing Justin Gaethje's UFC debut two years ago against Michael Johnson, which was perceived as the fight of the year for 2017. It notes that Gaethje became a hot commodity in the UFC despite losing his next two fights in a row. The host explains that these losses did not hinder his stock or position as a headlining fighter, which is rare for any fighter on a two-fight losing skid. Gaethje's losses came to a former champion and a former interim champion, with both ending in KO/TKO but earning fight of the night honors. The main reason for his sustained popularity is attributed to his performances in the octagon. Gaethje is described as a fighter who stands true to his persona of willingly standing in the pocket and throwing strikes with reckless abandon. This style contrasts with many fighters who claim to have no fear but do not actually follow through. The host points out that Gaethje's approach is terrifying even for elite MMA fighters. A surprising aspect revealed is Gaethje's wrestling background, which includes wrestling since age four, being a two-time Arizona state champion, and an NCAA Division I All-American at the University of Northern Colorado. This background is often overlooked because wrestling-based fighters are not typically known as human highlight reels at Gaethje's level. The episode concludes by noting that despite his wrestling credentials, Gaethje has never been seen grappling for 15 seconds in his career, making him an outlier in the sport.
