Aljamain Sterling, the former UFC bantamweight champion, has recently raised serious concerns about Justin Gaethje's grappling skills, particularly his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu acumen. This discussion emerged during a segment on the Weekly Scraps podcast, where Sterling and his co-host delved into the potential outcomes of the impending lightweight showdown between Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett at UFC 323.
The co-host on the podcast went as far as making a bold prediction in favor of Pimblett, emphasizing the latter's durability and grappling proficiency as key assets that could trouble Gaethje. He even went to the extent of foreseeing a scenario where Pimblett secures a submission victory, asserting his belief in Pimblett's ability to excel on the ground.
The most striking aspect of the conversation was the unfiltered critique of Gaethje's ground game. Sterling's co-host was blunt in admitting his lack of confidence in Gaethje's Jiu-Jitsu skills, suggesting Gaethje himself would acknowledge their inadequacy. He even questioned Gaethje's commitment to Jiu-Jitsu training, adding a layer of doubt about the extent of his preparation in that aspect.
Sterling concurred with these assessments, citing Gaethje's previous susceptibility to submissions from top-tier opponents as evidence of a deficiency in his defensive grappling arsenal. The co-host echoed these sentiments, pointing out Gaethje's apparent lack of refined techniques when the fight hits the ground, highlighting glaring vulnerabilities in his approach.
Both Sterling and his co-host highlighted Pimblett's submission threat as a significant danger for Gaethje, with the co-host expressing frustration at the prospect of Gaethje falling victim to a basic submission like a rear-naked choke. This sentiment underscored the urgency for Gaethje to address and improve his ground game to withstand Pimblett's proficiency in that domain.
Despite their reservations about Gaethje's grappling capabilities, both Sterling and his co-host acknowledged Gaethje's strength in striking and the strategic refinements he has made since his initial matchup with Dustin Poirier. Gaethje's ability to adapt his style and incorporate wrestling tactics when required were recognized, but the importance of shoring up his weaknesses on the ground was emphasized as a critical factor that could determine the outcome against a skilled grappler like Pimblett.
As the anticipation builds for the UFC 323 clash between Gaethje and Pimblett, fans are eagerly awaiting to see how the dynamics of the fight unfold. The spotlight will undoubtedly be on Gaethje's ability to address the glaring weaknesses in his ground game and whether he can overcome Pimblett's formidable submission skills. The clash of styles and skill sets promises an intriguing matchup that could potentially shape the trajectory of the lightweight division moving forward.
