Nick Newell Recalls What Made Gaethje Special: 'The Only Way to Stop Him Is to Kill Him'

Nick Newell, who faced Justin Gaethje in a 2014 WSOF title fight, has reflected on what separates the UFC star from nearly every other competitor. Newell described Gaethje's defining trait as an absolute refusal to change his output regardless of fatigue or damage, maintaining the same punching power, volume, and forward pressure even when visibly exhausted. Newell said he has encountered only two fighters with that quality in his career — Gaethje and UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis.