5 jaw-dropping Justin Gaethje fights outside the UFC

Former WSOF champion Justin Gaethje [Image via @PFLMMA on Twitter]

Justin Gaethje has been a fan favorite throughout his professional career, and with good reason. The UFC lightweight is among the most entertaining fighters to ever grace the octagon. With his controlled chaos and stunning knockouts, he has compiled one of the greatest highlight reels we've ever seen in the sport.

Gaethje joined the UFC in 2017, boasting a perfect 17-0 professional record. Prior to joining the world's premier MMA organization, 'The Highlight' was a standout in the World Series of Fighting (WSOF), winning the promotion's lightweight title and defending it five times.

Justin Gaethje at a WSOF event [Image via @PFLMMA on Twitter]

Gaethje's scorching run in the WSOF is one of the most watchable win streaks MMA fans have ever witnessed. During his time in the promotion, he gained notoriety for being a devastating knockout artist, with his anti-wrestling sprawl-and-brawl style producing both barnbuners and spectacular finishes.

On that note, here are five jaw-dropping Justin Gaethje fights outside the UFC.

#5. Justin Gaethje vs. Brian Foster – WSOF 29

During his time in the UFC, Justin Gaethje has developed a reputation for being one of the most devastating leg-kickers in all of MMA. In his bouts against Michael Johnson, Tony Ferguson and Michael Chandler, Gaethje crippled his counterparts with calf kicks en route to victory.

'The Highlight' has been terrorizing his opponents' calves throughout his professional career. Perhaps the best example of the effectiveness of Gaethje's kicks is his bout against Brian Foster in the main event of WSOF 29.

#WSOF29 main event stat graphic
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Justin Gaethje was the reigning lightweight champion at the time. Having already defended his belt three times, he was eyeing a fourth title defense to further extend his championship reign when he squared off against Brian Foster.

Foster won an eight-man tournament to earn his place opposite Gaethje. He was significantly more experienced than 'The Highlight' with 34 professional fights under his belt, and boasted an astonishing 96% finish rate.

Right from the get-go, Gaethje closed the distance and started landing his trademark calf kicks from close range. Foster landed a few strikes of his own, but that didn't dissuade the champion from coming forward. Less than a minute into the fight, Gaethje landed a hard kick that temporarily folded his challenger.

Those leg kicks!!! 👀
#AndStill @Justin_Gaethje
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Sensing his opportunity, Gaethje landed several blows to the left leg of Foster, who eventually crumbled to the canvas. Seeing that the challenger was unable to stand up, the referee called a halt to the action at 1:43 of the first round.

Watch the full fight below: