Gaethje and Vick (right) (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

James Vick’s rise up the lightweight ranks came to a quick and violent halt, at the hands of Justin Gaethje in August, and recently the contender opened up about the crushing defeat.

Vick faced the former WSOF champ in the headliner of UFC FN 135, and was quickly knocked out in the opening round. Recently the 31-year-old appeared on MMA Junkie Radio, and while reflecting on the loss, Vick said this (quotes via MMA Junkie):

“I got caught early, and I can’t blame anybody but myself. I got a big opportunity, and I frickin’ blew it, and it sucks. But I’m not any less confident in myself and my skillset. I just feel like it’s going to be a long road back to getting a big fight like that, because these guys already don’t want to fight me anyway.”

“…It still sucks and is depressing to lose like that,” he said. “It’s humiliating. But I’ve just got to get on another winning streak. I’m not delusional. Some of this stuff ain’t fair, but life ain’t fair. I may have to go back and win three or four fights, whereas someone like Gaethje only has to win one fight after losing a couple. That’s just the way (expletive) is. I blew my opportunity, and I’ve got to live with that.”

Vick had won four straight bouts before he faced Gaethje. Despite the loss, however, his UFC record stands at an impressive 9-2.