Gaethje Takes Body Shot in Training Clip
A training clip Justin Gaethje shared on October 30, 2024, showed the former interim lightweight champion taking part in a body-shot challenge with his coach. After several exchanges, a punch to the midsection folded Gaethje and sent him to the floor. The footage captured a gym challenge, not a sanctioned bout or evidence of a new injury.
What the video shows
The clip shows Gaethje and coach Luke Caudillo trading controlled body punches at the gym. A clean shot from Caudillo made Gaethje double over and drop down, while head coach Trevor Wittman reacted in the background. MMA Fighting’s report on the footage identifies the challenge and says Gaethje posted the training video to Instagram. The clip does not establish a medical diagnosis or lasting injury.
Context after the April return
Pereira–Hill was the main event at UFC 300; Gaethje–Holloway fought on the main card for the BMF title, where a last-second knockout ended their five-round bout. At the time, he had said he wanted a period to recover before returning. That context helps explain why the training footage drew attention, but the clip itself was a brief gym moment rather than a report on his health or schedule.
Gaethje is known for an aggressive, high-pressure style, but a single body-shot challenge cannot support broader claims about the safety of his camp or long-term effects on his health. No such claim was made in the footage or the cited reporting.
Sources
- MMA Fighting: Gaethje’s body-shot challenge training video
- Official April 2024 event results and highlights
