Justin Gaethje confidently revealed his picks for the MMA Mount Rushmore, spotlighting four fighters he considers all-time greats. Although not universally regarded as the most accomplished UFC athlete, Gaethje is celebrated as one of the most thrilling competitors to ever fight inside the Octagon. His focus remains on his upcoming interim lightweight title bout against Paddy Pimblett on January 24 at UFC 324 in Las Vegas, which headlines the first event streamed on Paramount+.
Amid preparations for this key fight, Gaethje took a brief break to weigh in on the ongoing debate surrounding the all-time MMA Mount Rushmore, a topic often dividing fans and fighters alike.
The Fighters Gaethje Selected for MMA’s Greatest Four
A recent clip from Gaethje’s first interview with Paramount surfaced on social media as he prepared to launch the new $7.7 billion partner streaming deal at the T-Mobile Arena. In the interview, Gaethje was asked to name his MMA Mount Rushmore, a question that typically sparks varied opinions given the breadth of legendary fighters in UFC history.
Gaethje’s lineup included Jon Jones, widely regarded as the greatest of all time, alongside Georges St-Pierre, a former champion respected for his dominance in two weight classes, and Anderson Silva, the iconic middleweight champion. Unlike some lists that include female fighters such as Amanda Nunes or technical masters like Demetrious Johnson, Gaethje’s fourth selection surprised many fans.
He honored Chuck Liddell, also known as “The Iceman,” a fan favorite and former UFC light heavyweight champion whose dynamic fighting style contributed significantly to MMA’s rise in mainstream popularity.
Justin Gaethje gave us his UFC Mount Rushmore 👀Who’s on yours? pic.twitter.com/KQMI45GqP0
?Paramount UFC Crew
Though UFC president Dana White did not include Liddell in his own Mount Rushmore selections—opting for stars like Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey—he clearly holds “The Iceman” in high esteem. White has cited Liddell’s knockout of Tito Ortiz as one of his most memorable UFC moments.
When Chuck Liddell knocked Tito Ortiz out,
?Dana White, UFC President
That was my favorite, favorite moment that has ever happened in UFC history,
?Dana White, UFC President
Notable Absences: Gaethje’s Overlooked Contender
Despite his respect for Liddell and other legends, Gaethje’s Mount Rushmore left out several prominent fighters, including Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov famously submitted Gaethje at UFC 254 in 2020 before retiring undefeated with a 29-0 record, ending his career as an undisputed lightweight champion.
Many fans and analysts debate whether Nurmagomedov retired too early to be universally hailed as the greatest MMA fighter ever, especially when compared to athletes like Jones and St-Pierre. Meanwhile, Khabib’s protégé, Islam Makhachev, now the current UFC welterweight champion, has stirred ongoing discussions about who holds the all-time lightweight title in the sport’s history.
The Impact of Gaethje’s Choices on the MMA Community
Justin Gaethje’s MMA Mount Rushmore offers fans an intriguing blend of widely recognized legends and a nod to figures who helped popularize the sport, like Chuck Liddell. His selections highlight prominent fighters from various eras, emphasizing both skill and influence inside and beyond the Octagon.
As Gaethje prepares for a major title fight against Paddy Pimblett, his comments on MMA history bring thoughtfulness to the often heated debates over the sport’s greatest icons. These discussions are likely to continue evolving as new fighters rise and UFC events unfold, maintaining fan engagement with the legacy and future of mixed martial arts.
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