Alright, so I had this phrase pop into my head the other day, ‘carolina gaethje’. Don’t ask me why, sometimes thoughts just link up weirdly. But it got me thinking about Gaethje, you know, Justin Gaethje the fighter. Specifically, his relentless pressure. I figured, why not actually sit down and try to break down what makes it work? So, that became my little project for the afternoon.
Getting Started
First thing I did was clear some time. You can’t really analyze something properly with distractions buzzing around. I grabbed my tablet, made sure it was charged up. Then I needed the actual material. I didn’t want to just watch highlights, ’cause those cut out all the important bits in between the big shots. So I pulled up a couple of his full fights. I decided to focus on maybe two specific bouts where his pressure was really obvious.
The Actual Grind
So, I started watching. Not just watching like a fan, but really watching. I paid attention to his feet first.
- Footwork: How was he cutting off the cage? I noticed he doesn’t just chase, he takes angles, steps laterally to trap his opponent. I kept rewinding little sections, like 10 seconds at a time, just watching his feet.
- Hand position: Where were his hands while he pressured? High guard, obviously, to block counters. But also how he used his lead hand, sometimes pawing, sometimes just framing to control distance.
- Pacing: This was the hard part to really grasp. It’s not just about moving forward, it’s the consistency. He rarely takes a backward step unless he’s resetting. I started making little notes on a pad, just jotting down timestamps when he successfully cornered someone or forced a reaction.
I found myself pausing a lot. Trying to see the little details. It’s faster than you think when you’re looking for specifics. Sometimes I’d even stand up and try to mimic a step or a guard position, just to feel it out. Looked kinda silly in my living room, but it helped sink in.
What I Noticed
Consistency is key. It wasn’t one single technique, but the constant application of pressure. It wears people down mentally as much as physically. That’s the real takeaway. He forces them to fight at his pace, in his preferred range. Also noticed how he mixes in those heavy leg kicks while pressing. It’s not just boxing pressure, it’s a full-body assault. The ‘carolina gaethje’ thing still floated in my mind occasionally, maybe just as a reminder of how distinct styles or elements can stick together in your head, even if they seem random.
So yeah, that was my practice session. Just me, the tablet, and a deep dive into watching a fighter work. It wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but I feel like I understand that pressure style a little bit better now, just from taking the time to really look closely. Simple process, but pretty effective for learning.
