Should Justin Gaethje Retire?

Mixed martial arts career
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Early career
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Gaethje first came into contact with mixed martial arts (MMA) as a freshman at the University of Northern Colorado, when he wrestled Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighters such as Georges St-Pierre, Clay Guida and future opponent Donald Cerrone. Afterward, he talked to his coaches about his intentions on trying out the new sport, to which he was told that he had to get his grades up in order to get an amateur bout.[30] After improving his grades, Gaethje made his amateur debut during the pre-season of his sophomore year (08'-09') on August 2, 2008, where he scored a slam knockout on his opponent.[31]
After amassing a 7–0 amateur record, Gaethje made his professional debut on August 20, 2011, against future UFC fighter Kevin Croom. Gaethje won the fight in the first round via KO due to a slam after Croom attempted a submission.[32] On the regional circuit in Colorado and Arizona, Gaethje compiled an undefeated 7–0 professional record, with 6 stoppage wins.[11] One of his early victories was over UFC veteran Drew Fickett. Gaethje won by knockout 12 seconds into the first round.[33]
World Series of Fighting
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Gaethje was signed by the World Series of Fighting on December 2, 2012,[34] and made his debut on March 23, 2013, at WSOF 2 against Gesias Cavalcante, finishing the fight in the first round through TKO (doctor stoppage) after opening a cut above Cavalcante's left eye.[35]
On June 14, 2013, he fought Brian Cobb at WSOF 3, eventually winning via TKO from leg kicks in the third round.[36]
Afterward, Gaethje fought Dan Lauzon at WSOF 6 on October 26, 2013, finishing Lauzon by knockout with a right uppercut in the second round.[37]
The three stoppage victories secured Gaethje a shot at the inaugural WSOF Lightweight Championship, in the headline bout of WSOF 8 against Richard Patishnock on January 18, 2014. Gaethje dispatched Patishnock in the first round via TKO to become the first WSOF Lightweight Champion.[38]
His first title defense was at WSOF 11 against Nick Newell on July 5, 2014.[39] Gaethje won the fight with a right hook TKO in the second round.[40]
On November 15, 2014, Gaethje faced UFC veteran and former training partner Melvin Guillard at WSOF 15.[41] The fight was ruled a non-title contest after Guillard missed weight. He scaled at 158.8 lbs, nearly 4 lbs over the 155 lb limit, and 50% of his purse went to Gaethje.[42] Gaethje won the bout via split decision.[43]
He then went on to fight Luis Palomino at WSOF 19 on March 28, 2015. Gaethje defended his title by stopping Palomino via TKO in the third round after a combination of leg kicks and punches.[44] The Los Angeles Times named this fight as the best fight of 2015.[45]
Gaethje had a rematch against Palomino on September 18, 2015, at WSOF 23 and defended his belt again, finishing Palomino in the second round by TKO.[46]
At WSOF 29 on March 12, 2016, he defended his belt against Brian Foster via TKO due to leg kicks at 1:43 of the first round.[47][48][49] Three days later, Gaethje was suspended indefinitely by the Colorado State Athletic Commission for "unsportsmanlike conduct" after he performed his signature celebration, a backflip off the top of the cage, in the aftermath of his victory at WSOF 29.[50] The suspension was lifted a day later.[51][52]
Gaethje was expected to defend the WSOF Lightweight Championship against Ozzy Dugulubgov at WSOF 33 on October 7, 2016.[53] However, the bout was cancelled on the day of the event as Dugulubgov was stricken with illness.[54]
On October 17, 2016, it was announced that Gaethje would defend the WSOF Lightweight Championship against João Zeferino on December 31, 2016, at WSOF 34 in the main event.[55] However, an injury forced Zeferino to withdraw from the bout and he was replaced by Luiz Firmino.[56] Gaethje won the bout by TKO via doctor stoppage due to Firmino's right eye being swollen after round three.[57]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
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On May 4, 2017, Gaethje announced he had vacated his WSOF title and signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[58] It was announced on Awards, it was named the fight of the year.[68] Gaethje said after the loss, "It was the time of my life. Honestly, being in front of that many people, being able to put my skills on the line at the highest level on a pay-per-view, all of those things, it was a dream come true for me. I said it before, I said it many times, that I was going to lose (eventually). If I lost, I hoped that I would get knocked out. All of those things came true."[15]
Gaethje lost a back-and-forth fight via TKO in the fourth round to Dustin Poirier on April 14, 2018, at UFC on Fox 29.[69] The fight earned Gaethje his third consecutive Fight of the Night bonus award.[70] Sherdog named Gaethje vs. Poirier as the best fight of 2018.[71]