Justin Gaethje

Early life Justin Ray Gaethje was born in Safford, Arizona, and his father, John Ray Gaethje, is of German descent. His mother was a postmaster while his father was a copper miner, as were both of his grandfathers. His paternal grandfather boxed while serving in the United States Army. Gaethje's father Ray retired as a copper miner in September 2019, after 36 years working at the Morenci mine.

Gaethje has two sisters. He also has a twin brother who worked at the Morenci mine for almost ten years. where he was a four-time finalist and two-time state champion (AIA). He still holds the seventh-most near falls (218) and the ninth-most team points scored (1057.5) in the history of the state as a wrestler. Gaethje also played football and baseball in high school.

Collegiate Gaethje graduated from Safford High School with a 191–9 record. He initially applied to a small college in Arizona as he wanted to stay close to his family, but instead accepted an offer from the NCAA Division I program at the University of Northern Colorado. In his sophomore season, he qualified for the 2009 NCAA Division I 157 lb Championship, where he posted a 0–2 record. He finished the season with a 14–4 record and was again named to the Western Wrestling All-Conference First Team. Gaethje dropped down to the 149 lb division for his senior year, but had struggles with weight cutting. He won true-second at the NCAA Western Regional Championships and so qualified for the 2011 NCAA Division I 149 lb Championship, where he posted a 1–2 record to end his senior season with a 17–8 record.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Gaethje first came into contact with mixed martial arts (MMA) as a freshman at the University of Northern Colorado, when he wrestled Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighters such as Georges St-Pierre, Clay Guida and future opponent Donald Cerrone. Afterward, he talked to his coaches about his intentions on trying out the new sport, to which he was told that he had to get his grades up in order to get an amateur bout. After improving his grades, Gaethje made his amateur debut during the pre-season of his sophomore year (08'-09') on August 2, 2008, where he scored a slam knockout on his opponent.

After amassing a 7–0 amateur record, Gaethje made his professional debut on August 20, 2011, against future UFC fighter Kevin Croom. Gaethje won the fight in the first round via KO due to a slam after Croom attempted a submission. On the regional circuit in Colorado and Arizona, Gaethje compiled an undefeated 7–0 professional record, with 6 stoppage wins.

World Series of Fighting Gaethje was signed by the World Series of Fighting on December 2, 2012, and made his debut on March 23, 2013, at WSOF 2 against Gesias Cavalcante, finishing the fight in the first round through TKO (doctor stoppage) after opening a cut above Cavalcante's left eye.

On June 14, 2013, he fought Brian Cobb at WSOF 3, eventually winning via TKO from leg kicks in the third round.

Afterward, Gaethje fought Dan Lauzon at WSOF 6 on October 26, 2013, finishing Lauzon by knockout with a right uppercut in the second round.

The three stoppage victories secured Gaethje a shot at the inaugural WSOF Lightweight Championship, in the headline bout of WSOF 8 against Richard Patishnock on January 18, 2014. Gaethje dispatched Patishnock in the first round via TKO to become the first WSOF Lightweight Champion.

His first title defense was at WSOF 11 against Nick Newell on July 5, 2014. Gaethje won the fight with a right hook TKO in the second round.

On November 15, 2014, Gaethje faced UFC veteran and former training partner Melvin Guillard at WSOF 15. The fight was ruled a non-title contest after Guillard missed weight. He scaled at 158.8 lbs, nearly 4 lbs over the 155 lb limit, and 50% of his purse went to Gaethje. Gaethje won the bout via split decision.

He then went on to fight Luis Palomino at WSOF 19 on March 28, 2015. Gaethje defended his title by stopping Palomino via TKO in the third round after a combination of leg kicks and punches. The Los Angeles Times named this fight as the best fight of 2015.

Gaethje had a rematch against Palomino on September 18, 2015, at WSOF 23 and defended his belt again, finishing Palomino in the second round by TKO.

At WSOF 29 on March 12, 2016, he defended his belt against Brian Foster via TKO due to leg kicks at 1:43 of the first round. Three days later, Gaethje was suspended indefinitely by the Colorado State Athletic Commission for "unsportsmanlike conduct" after he performed his signature celebration, a backflip off the top of the cage, in the aftermath of his victory at WSOF 29. The suspension was lifted a day later.

Gaethje was expected to defend the WSOF Lightweight Championship against Ozzy Dugulubgov at WSOF 33 on October 7, 2016. However, the bout was cancelled on the day of the event as Dugulubgov was stricken with illness.

On October 17, 2016, it was announced that Gaethje would defend the WSOF Lightweight Championship against João Zeferino on December 31, 2016, at WSOF 34 in the main event. However, an injury forced Zeferino to withdraw from the bout and he was replaced by Luiz Firmino. Gaethje won the bout by TKO via doctor stoppage due to Firmino's right eye being swollen after round three.

Ultimate Fighting Championship On May 4, 2017, Gaethje announced he had vacated his WSOF title and signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It was announced on May 12 that he would make his debut against the veteran Michael Johnson on July 7, at The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale. Gaethje won the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the second round through a combination of punches and knees. The win earned Gaethje the Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards. Sherdog named this fight as the best fight of 2017, The bout with Alvarez took place on December 2, 2017, at UFC 218. Gaethje lost the competitive fight by KO in the third round, the first loss of his MMA career. The fight also earned him his second consecutive Fight of the Night bonus award. At the World MMA Awards, it was named the fight of the year. The fight earned Gaethje his third consecutive Fight of the Night bonus award. Sherdog named Gaethje vs. Poirier as the best fight of 2018. It was revealed after the fight that Gaethje's leg kicks had caused a partial tear of Poirier's quadriceps femoris muscle. Poirier said, "I didn't know it in the fight, but I knew it the night of and the next morning. He tore my quad. I'm trying to think of another time I've been seriously damaged with kicks. Jim Miller hurt my calf really good, but nothing like that." However, on June 28, 2018, Iaquinta withdrew from the bout and he was replaced by James Vick. Gaethje rebounded from his two losses in emphatic fashion, winning the fight by knockout in the first round. He was also awarded a Performance of Night award, which meant he had earned five bonus awards in his four fights in UFC.

Gaethje faced Edson Barboza on March 30, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 2. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Gaethje next faced Donald Cerrone on September 14, 2019, in the main event at UFC on ESPN+ 16. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. The win also earned Gaethje his third Performance of the Night bonus award.

UFC interim Lightweight Champion and further title contention On April 6, it was announced that Gaethje would step in on short notice to face Tony Ferguson for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship on April 18, at UFC 249. However, on April 9, UFC president Dana White announced that this event had been postponed, and the bout instead took place for May 9, 2020. Gaethje dominated the fight, stopping Ferguson via TKO in the fifth round, and thus ending Ferguson's personal best of 12 consecutive wins. He also continued his bonus award streak, earning the Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards. This made Gaethje the only fighter in UFC history to win at least one fight night bonus in each of his first seven appearances. He lost the fight via technical submission due to triangle choke in the second round, marking the first submission loss in his mixed martial arts career. Despite tapping, referee Jason Herzog did not stop the bout before Gaethje lost consciousness due to the choke.

Gaethje faced former Bellator Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler at UFC 268 on November 6, 2021. After a back-and-forth fight, Gaethje won the bout via unanimous decision despite knocking Chandler down and nearly finishing him in the second round. This bout earned the Fight of the Night award. The bout was named Fight of the Year by various mixed martial arts media outlets and the UFC itself. Due to Oliveira missing weight and having been stripped of the title, only Gaethje was eligible to win the title. Despite knocking down Oliveira twice, Gaethje lost the fight via rear–naked choke submission in round one.

Gaethje faced Rafael Fiziev on March 18, 2023, at UFC 286. He won the back–and–forth fight via majority decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night bonus award.

Gaethje took on Dustin Poirier in a rematch of their 2018 bout, for the symbolic "BMF" ("baddest motherfucker") belt on July 29, 2023, at UFC 291. He won the fight via head kick knockout in round two. The win earned Gaethje his fifth Performance of the Night bonus award.

Gaethje faced Max Holloway on April 13, 2024, at UFC 300. He lost the BMF championship by knockout in the last second of round five. Gaethje took home a $300,000 fight of the night bonus.

Gaethje was scheduled to face Dan Hooker on March 8, 2025 at UFC 313. However, Hooker had to withdraw from the bout due to a hand injury and was replaced by Rafael Fiziev in a rematch. Gaethje defeated Fiziev via unanimous decision. This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.

UFC Lightweight Champion Gaethje competed for the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship against Paddy Pimblett on January 24, 2026 at UFC 324. He won the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned him a $100,000 Fight of the Night award.

Gaethje faced undefeated champion Ilia Topuria in a title unification bout for the undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship on June 14, 2026 at UFC Freedom 250. He won the championship by technical knockout via corner stoppage at the end of the fourth round in the main event, handing Topuria his first defeat in mixed martial arts. This fight earned him a $400,000 Fight of the Night award and $425,000 Performance of the Night award totaling $825,000. In addition, Gaethje and opponent Topuria split a $1 million CRO Crypto.com bonus, receiving $500,000 each.

Fighting style As a two-time Arizona State high school champion and an NCAA Division I All-American, Gaethje has some of the best wrestling credentials in the UFC's lightweight division. Despite his high-level wrestling pedigree, he rarely looks for takedowns, instead preferring an entertaining stand-up fighting style. When asked after his loss to Poirier in 2018 why he did not use his wrestling in the bout, Gaethje said:

In a 2020 ESPN interview, Gaethje stated he realized after transitioning from wrestling to mixed martial arts that, while winning was still important, entertaining the fans could earn him more money. He said: "There can be guys out there who are 13–0 with 13 decisions, and they're not [even] getting paid $5,000 to fight because nobody is watching. I've gotten opportunities on the biggest stages because of the way I fight. I've never not wanted to win a belt, but I wanted to make money, and the surest way to make money in this sport was to be exciting." According to Gaethje's coach Trevor Wittman, the back-to-back losses against Alvarez and Poirier caused Gaethje to change his mentality. Although he is still a pressure fighter, Wittman said that Gaethje now takes fewer risks and is more selective about when to trade punches. Wittman stated: "I asked him after those two losses, 'Is your purpose still to be the most exciting fighter in the world?' And he said, 'Not really, Coach. I want to be a UFC champion.'" He has stated his intention to do social work with at-risk youth.

Gaethje underwent a photorefractive keratectomy in 2016 to correct his eyesight. He said, "I used to be blind. I had horrible vision. I was 20/60 in one eye and 20/200 in another eye. And I was far sighted in one eye and nearsighted in another eye." Dan Hardy stated on Inside the Octagon that before the surgery Gaethje's "eyesight was so bad that he actually had to physically be in contact with his opponent to know what he was hitting."

Gaethje—along with UFC President Dana White, fighters Colby Covington and Henry Cejudo, and manager Ali Abdelaziz—attended a rally for President Donald Trump in September 2020, with the fighters being acknowledged by the President. Gaethje praised Trump for his role in the UFC's early development, saying "He’s a reason that the UFC is here."

Gaethje has his own YouTube channel. Gaethje appears as an MMA fighter along with fellow UFC fighter Kamaru Usman in the 2025 film The Naked Gun.

Championships and accomplishments

Wrestling National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Division I All-American out of the University of Northern Colorado (2010) University of Northern Colorado Athletics Hall of Fame – Class of 2020

Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC Lightweight Championship (One time, Current) Interim UFC Lightweight Championship (Two times) First two-time UFC Interim Champion First fighter to receive Fight of the Night bonuses in four consecutive bouts Performance of the Night (Six times) vs. Michael Johnson, James Vick, Donald Cerrone, Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier 2 and Ilia Topuria Third most Post-Fight bonuses in UFC history (17) Most Post-Fight bonuses-per-bout in UFC history (17 bonuses in 16 bouts) (for fighters with 4+ UFC fights) Only fighter in UFC history to win a Post-Fight bonus in each of his first 7 UFC bouts Only fighter in UFC history to earn multiple Post‑Fight bonuses in three separate bouts Third highest significant strike accuracy percentage in UFC Lightweight division history (57.6%) 2021: President's Choice Fight of the Year Winner 2023: President's Choice Fight of the Year Nominee & Fan's Choice Knockout of the Year Nominee 2024: President's Choice Fight of the Year Winner UFC.com Awards 2017: Fight of the Year vs. Michael Johnson, Ranked #2 Fight of the Year 2018: Ranked #2 Fight of the Year 2019: Top 10 Fighter of the Year & Ranked #7 Fight of the Year 2020: Ranked #6 Fight of the Year 2021: Fight of the Year Ranked #3 Knockout of the Year vs. Dustin Poirier 2 & Ranked #7 Fight of the Year vs. Rafael Fiziev 1 2024: Ranked #3 Fight of the Year 2026: Half-Year Awards: Best Fighter of the 1HY World Series of Fighting WSOF Lightweight Championship (One time; first; only) Five successful title defenses Most consecutive title defenses (five) Most wins in title bouts (six) Longest lightweight winning streak (10) Most knockout wins (nine) Fight to Win Promotions FTW Amateur Lightweight Championship (One time) World MMA Awards 2017: Fight of the Year vs. Eddie Alvarez at UFC 218 & Comeback of the Year vs. Michael Johnson at The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale MMA Junkie 2015 #2 Ranked Fight of the Year 2015 March Fight of the Month vs. Luis Palomino 2015 September Fight of the Month vs. Luis Palomino 2017 Fight of the Year 2017 #3 Ranked Fight of the Year 2018 Fight of the Year vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2018 April Fight of the Month 2021 November Fight of the Month vs. Michael Chandler 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 2023 March Fight of the Month vs. Rafael Fiziev 2023 July Knockout of the Month vs. Dustin Poirier 2024 April Fight of the Month 2025 March Fight of the Month vs. Rafael Fiziev 2026 January Fight of the Month 2026 June Fight of the Month Yahoo! Sports 2015 Best Fight of the Half-Year vs. Luis Palomino 2017 Fight of the Year 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler MMA Fighting 2017 Fight of the Year 2018 Fight of the Year 2021 Fight of the year vs. Michael Chandler at UFC 268 2023 Second Team MMA All-Star 2024 Fight of the Year Sherdog 2017 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Johnson 2017 Round of the Year vs. Michael Johnson (Round 2) 2018 Fight of the Year vs. Dustin Poirier 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 2021 Round of the Year vs. Michael Chandler (Round 1) 2023 Round of the Year Bleacher Report 2017 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Johnson 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 2023 #3 Ranked UFC Fight of the Year RealSport 2017 UFC Debut of the Year vs. Michael Johnson CBS Sports 2017 UFC Fight of the Year vs. Michael Johnson 2018 UFC Fight of the Year 2018 #3 Ranked UFC Knockout of the Year 2019 #4 Ranked UFC Knockout of the Year 2021 UFC Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler Bloody Elbow 2017 Best Fight of the Year vs. Michael Johnson Cageside Press 2017 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Johnson 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 2023 Knockout of the Year vs. Dustin Poirier MMA Weekly 2017 Fight of the Year 2018 Fight of the Year vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje Combat Press 2017 Fight of the Year 2018 Fight of the Year vs. Dustin Poirier 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 2023 Knockout of the Year MMADNA.nl 2017 Fight of the Year vs. Eddie Alvarez 2017 Debut of the Year. Daily Mirror 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler Wrestling Observer Newsletter MMA Match of the Year (2018) MMA Match of the Year (2021) MMA Match of the Year (2024) ESPN 2024 Fight of the Year Sports Illustrated 2017 Fight of the Year Inside MMA 2014 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year Bazzie Award MMA Sucka 2018 Fight of the Year Slacky Awards 2019 Technical Turn-Around of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Win

Ilia Topuria TKO (corner stoppage) UFC Freedom 250

Washington, D.C., United States Win

Paddy Pimblett Decision (unanimous) UFC 324

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Rafael Fiziev Decision (unanimous) UFC 313

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Max Holloway KO (punch) UFC 300

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Dustin Poirier KO (head kick) UFC 291

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Win

Rafael Fiziev Decision (majority) UFC 286

London, England Loss

Charles Oliveira Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 274

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Michael Chandler Decision (unanimous) UFC 268

New York City, New York, United States Loss

Khabib Nurmagomedov Technical Submission (triangle choke) UFC 254

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Tony Ferguson TKO (punch) UFC 249

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Win

Donald Cerrone TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Win

Edson Barboza KO (punch) UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

James Vick KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick

Lincoln, Nebraska, United States Loss

Dustin Poirier TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje

Glendale, Arizona, United States Loss

Eddie Alvarez KO (knee) UFC 218

Detroit, Michigan, United States Win

Michael Johnson TKO (punches and knees) The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Luiz Firmino TKO (doctor stoppage) WSOF 34

New York City, New York, United States Win

Brian Foster TKO (leg kicks) WSOF 29

Greeley, Colorado, United States Win

Luis Palomino TKO (punches) WSOF 23

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Luis Palomino TKO (leg kicks and punches) WSOF 19

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Melvin Guillard Decision (split) WSOF 15

Tampa, Florida, United States Win

Nick Newell TKO (punches) WSOF 11

Daytona Beach, Florida, United States Win

Richard Patishnock TKO (punches and elbows) WSOF 8

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Dan Lauzon KO (punches) WSOF 6

Coral Gables, Florida, United States Win

Brian Cobb TKO (leg kicks) WSOF 3

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Gesias Cavalcante TKO (doctor stoppage) WSOF 2

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Adrian Valdez TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 164

Chandler, Arizona, United States Win

Drew Fickett KO (punch) Rage in the Cage 163

Chandler, Arizona, United States Win

Sam Young Submission (rear-naked choke) Rage in the Cage 162

Chandler, Arizona, United States Win

Marcus Edwards Decision (unanimous) Ring of Fire 43

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Donnie Bell TKO (punches) Ring of Fire 42

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Joe Kelso TKO (punches) Bring the Thunder MMA 2

Pueblo, Colorado, United States Win

Kevin Croom KO (slam) Ring of Fire 41

Broomfield, Colorado, United States

Amateur mixed martial arts record Win

Aaron Carter TKO (knees) Ring of Fire 40

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Scott Cleve Decision (split) Ring of Fire 38

Broomfield, Colorado United States Win

Steve Hanna TKO (punches) Fight to Win: War

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Kevin Gonzales Submission (armbar) Ring of Fire 35

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Nick Rhoads Submission (armbar) Rage in the Cage 127

Tucson, Arizona, United States Win

Austin Greer TKO (punches) Victory FC 27

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Ben DeAnda KO (punch) Battle Under the Stars 1

Denver, Colorado, United States Loss 6–6

Win 6–5

Loss 5–5

2. UFC 254 Khabib vs. Gaethje October 24, 2020 Flash Forum Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE 675,000 3. UFC 274 Oliveira vs. Gaethje May 7, 2022 Footprint Center Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. 400,000 4. UFC 291 Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 July 29, 2023 Delta Center Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. 750,000

2,525,000