WSOF 11 headliner Justin Gaethje: Nick Newell has never fought a wrestler

Undefeated WSOF lightweight champion Justin Gaethje admires what Nick Newell has been able to do in his professional career, but he believes the one-armed fighter’s Cinderella story is about to come to an end.

The also unbeaten Newell (11-0) has bucked steep odds by defeating opponents at a physical disadvantage, but according to Gaethje (11-0), those opponents have been at their own disadvantage when they stepped in the cage.

“He’s never fought a wrestler,” Gaethje told MMAjunkie Radio. “That’s why (people) haven’t been able to stop him: basic front headlock defense. You’ve got to keep pressure on his hips so he can’t get them in and control the hands.”

Indeed, past Newell opponents have found themselves quickly trapped in submission holds as the clinch is initiated. Gaethje said his plan is to resist that position altogether when they meet on Saturday at WSOF 11.

“He’s not going to take me down,” said Gaethje, who defends his title for the first time since winning the belt this past January. “It’s going to stay on the feet.”

The event takes place at Ocean Center in Daytona, Fla., and its main card airs live on NBC following prelims on MMAjunkie.com.

For Gaethje, who wrestled at the University of Northern Colorado, forcing a standup affair is a matter of diligent defense when it comes to Newell’s strength of getting opponents to fight his fight.

“He’s great at what he does, so I can’t let him get my head down,” Gaethje said of Newell. “When someone is determined to get something, they usually get it if they try hard enough, and he does. Nick is one determined fighter. So it’s going to be a war, and I just have to keep working for 25 minutes.

“I’m a lot different fighter than he’s ever fought before, so I would have some choice words for his opponents, also. He’s tough. You can’t take him lightly. You have to go out there with the mindset to whoop his butt.”

So far, Gaethje has done a good job of dominating his opposition in a particularly aggressive way. A product of Denver’s Grudge Training Center, he has stopped all four of his opponents via TKO in the WSOF cage.

Although the 25-year-old doesn’t command the same amount of attention fighting in the shadow of the industry-leading UFC, his career undoubtedly is attracting the interest of experienced veterans.

Former UFC title prospect Melvin Guillard, who earlier this year was released by the promotion on the heels of a lackluster loss, would love to fight Gaethje for the belt. The two once trained together at Grudge before Guillard moved on to Florida’s American Top Team.

“I’m the champion, and anybody that wants a shot, I’ll give them an ass-whupping, too,” Gaethje said. “If Melvin wants it, he knows where to find me.

“Me and him, we’re a lot alike,” he added. “We’re both nuts.”

A win over Guillard would not only be exciting, but it would further boost Gaethje’s credibility on the national state. As the WSOF boosts its profile with its first-ever network televised card, he stands to benefit from the increased exposure.

His rise might come at the expense of Newell, but that’s the job he’s accepted.

“I’ve only fought four times now on TV, and I’ve got a lot to show,” Gaethje said. “I’m not getting as much recognition as you would think, but I’m fine with it. I want people to know me for fighting, and one day, that’s going to be easy.”

For more on WSOF 11, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, MMAjunkie lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

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