Exclusive: Hall of Famer Dan Severn on advice he gave UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje

UFC Hall of Famer Dan Severn opened up on advice he shared with former lightweight title challenger Justin Gaethje.

During an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Severn described his fighting style and how fighting more methodically can lead to longevity in one's career and a relatively healthy life post-retirement. He recalled meeting Gaethje and the advice he shared with the lightweight, who always puts on entertaining slugfests when he's inside the octagon.

Severn said:

"I remember the first time ever meeting him [Justin Gaethje]. I go, 'You gotta a little lateral motion... You're marching right in. You're eating a couple punches just to give a punch but you're young and you're durable now. Wait until you hit mid-40s, early 50s. What's gonna start happening to your body? What's gonna start happening to your mind?'" [42:19 - 42:44]

'The Beast' then brought up that he offered 'The Highlight' advice based on his own experience beginning his MMA career at an older age and being around the sport for a long time. He mentioned that once he began competing against much younger fighters, it eventually led to him planning his exit from the sport:

"Maybe it was because I was older cause when I first started into it, I kept thinking, 'Well, I'll try one event.' One event went just fine and well, 'Let's try another event.'... Until finally, when I'm starting to stand in the cage and I'm giving up 30 years of age to younger opponents. Now it's kinda like going, 'Well, maybe I should start looking for a exit here now.'" [42:44 - 43:21]

'The Highlight' was an NCAA Div 1 All-American wrestler when he wrestled at the University of Northern Colorado, so it makes sense why Dan Severn would advise him to use that to his advantage and avoid constant stand-and-bang type fights.

Check out Dan Severn's full interview with Sportskeeda MMA below:

Dan Severn was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2005

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Dan Severn was an accomplished UFC fighter during the promotion's early years. He won two UFC tournaments: UFC 5 and Ultimate Ultimate 1995, and followed those up by defeating Ken Shamrock via split decision at UFC 9 to become the new UFC Superfight champion.

Based on his accomplishments during his tenure with the promotion, 'The Beast' was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2005. The induction took place during the UFC 52 broadcast, which is different from how induction ceremonies are currently done.

At the time, the former Superfight champion was only the third fighter to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame as Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock were the inaugural inductees two years prior.