World Series of Fighting lightweight champion Justin Gaethje likes to celebrate his wins by back flipping off the top of the cage. According to The MMA Report, the Colorado State Boxing Commission, under Director Josef Mason, had warned Gaethje in written correspondence not to flip off the cage.
At WSoF 29, the fighter successfully defended his title against Brian Foster, via leg kicks, at 1:43 of the first. Then he flipped off the cage.
Then when the CSBC issued suspensions, Gaethje had acquired an indefinite one.
Justin Gaethje: Suspended indefinitely (unsportsmanlike conduct)
Brian Foster: Suspended 180 days or can be cleared early with doctor letter (left knee)
Danny Mainus: Suspended 60 days
Josh Caven: Suspended 45 days (laceration)
Clayton Wimer: Suspended 45 days (nasal fracture)
Chris Morgan: Suspended 45 days (weight)
Mike Hayes: Suspended 30 days (laceration)
Josh Huber: Suspended 30 days (laceration)
Patrick Davis: Suspended 30 days
Jacob Flesher: Suspended 30 days
Foster was suspended too, for the knee, for six months, but he can return sooner with clearance from an MD. Gaethje too can presumably get unsuspended, but it will likely take take a genuine mea culpa and promise not to repeat the stunt in The Centennial State.
Gaethje vs. Foster (Offending conduct at the :45 mark)
Justin Gaethje is a professional MMA fighter, WSoF lightweight Champion, NCAA D1 All-American for University of Northern Colorado, and a two-time Arizona state champion.
Gaethje’s record is perfect. He is 16-0-0 (Win-Loss-Draw) as a pro, and was 7-0-0 (Win-Loss-Draw) as an amateur.
He is a beast. Prior to Foster he beat Luis Palomino, twice, both by KO. Before that he beat Melvin Guillard. And before that he knocked out Nick Newell. Other WSoF wins include Dany Lauzon, Richard Patishnock, Brian Cobb, JZ Souza.
He attributes his success in no small part to wrestling.
“To be a top wrestler you have to make yourself quit. Numerous times, I’ve made myself quit,” he said. “I’ve made myself cry because I couldn’t go anymore and I knew I should be able to go more. Just things like that, you can’t teach a person, you don’t learn those lessons on the streets or anywhere except challenging yourself everyday in the wrestling room.”
