The topic of Justin Gaethje’s relationship with water came up during JRE MMA Show #181 as coach Trevor Wittman reflected on lessons learned from past matches, particularly Gaethje’s bout against Tony Ferguson.
While discussing weight cutting and dehydration, Wittman pointed to one of his biggest coaching regrets.
“I didn’t give enough water for five round match. That is crazy,” Wittman admitted. “And the longer you take your brain to that point of dehydration…”
Joe Rogan was surprised by the revelation and immediately asked, “Why didn’t you give him water? You just forgot.”
“Yeah, we were locked in,” Gaethje replied.
Whitman then explained, “This guy don’t train with water. So it’s like, dude…”
That prompted Gaethje to explain his unusual approach to training hydration.
“I don’t drink water practice cuz everyone’s like, ‘You want water?'” Gaethje said. “I’m like, water’s for p**sies. No, I don’t want water.”
Rogan sought clarification, asking, “You don’t drink any water in training at all?”
Wittman stepped in to explain that Gaethje does hydrate eventually. “He’ll drink afterwards like we did this fight,” Wittman said.
Still curious, Rogan asked whether the habit extended to every aspect of training.
“Even when you’re doing strength and conditioning, everything?” Rogan asked.
“Nothing,” Gaethje responded. “I never drink water during practice.”
“Wow,” Rogan said. “So, you make sure you’re hydrated before you get in there.”
Gaethje then outlined his routine.
“Yeah,” he said. “I drink a lot after.”
The discussion later shifted to athlete who train during Ramadan and compete while fasting, before returning to the benefits Gaethje may have gained from his unconventional approach.
Rogan suggested that there was a mental toughness component to it.
“Would you and how much mental toughness are you getting by not water right,” Rogan said. “And the mental toughness thing ultimately won you this match. There is a lot of human beings at the top level of the sport that would have folded in that second round.”
