Jun 20, 2026 · 2h 29m
Justin Gaethje and coach Trevor Wittman detail the blueprint behind their championship run
JRE MMA Show #181 with Justin Gaethje & Trevor Wittman
This conversation pulls back the curtain on elite combat sports, showing that championship success relies as much on psychological adaptation and gear innovation as it does on physical toughness.
- 1A critical strategic shift after consecutive losses transformed Justin Gaethje from a high-risk brawler into a disciplined champion.
- 2Severe weight cutting and heavy physical tolls require extreme mental endurance, highlighted by Gaethje training without drinking water.
- 3Trevor Wittman custom-designed ONX gloves to promote a safer fist position and reduce frequent hand injuries in mixed martial arts.
Don't miss
Trevor Wittman showcases his custom ONX glove design, explaining how it protects fighters' hands by forcing a natural fist position.
The brief
UFC Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje and his coach Trevor Wittman join Joe Rogan to dissect their historic title victory and the unique personal bond that has fueled their championship run.
The duo detail the strategic overhaul made after brutal consecutive losses to Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier, proving how tactical restraint transformed Gaethje from a wild brawler into a calculated champion.
Beyond the tactical shift, they address the extreme physical tolls of the sport, from the grueling mental battle of weight cutting without drinking water to surviving the sheer power of Ilia Topuria.
Wittman showcases his custom-designed ONX gloves, demonstrating how the innovative design forces a natural fist position to drastically reduce hand injuries and improve fighter safety.
Featuring
Justin Gaethje
Ilia Topuria
Max Holloway
Merab DvalishviliBooks & mentions
Listen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.