Fighter

Justin Gaethje

"The Highlight"

28-5-0ChampionLightweight #4Men's Pound-for-Pound★ 17bonuses United States

United StatesLast 5

Amateur MMA 7-0

NEXT FIGHT

No upcoming fight scheduled.

Justin Gaethje holds a professional MMA record of 28-5-0. Justin Gaethje has won 28 fights: 20 by KO/TKO, 2 by submission, 6 by decision. Of 5 career losses, 3 came by KO/TKO and 2 by submission. In the UFC, Justin Gaethje lands 6.29 significant strikes per minute with 57% accuracy and averages 0.30 takedowns per 15 minutes. Most recent fight: June 14, 2026. Tracked organizations: UFC.

Profile

Height: 5'11"180 cm
Weight: 155 lbs70 kg
Reach: 70"178 cm
Stance: Orthodox
DOB: 1988-11-14
Age: 37
Nationality: United States
Birthplace: Safford, Arizona, United States

Background

Credentials, amateur pedigree and camp

BaseFolkstyle Wrestling

2020University of Northern Colorado Athletics Hall of Fame
2011Qualifier · NCAA D1 · 149 lb
2010All-American · NCAA D1 · 157 lb
20104th Place · NCAA West Regional
2009Qualifier · NCAA D1 · 157 lb
2009Champion · NCAA West Regional
AGE 19Started in Amateur MMA
2007Champion · State HS · youth · Arizona (AIA)
2006Champion · State HS · youth · Arizona (AIA)
2005Runner-up · State HS · youth · Arizona (AIA)
2004Runner-up · State HS · youth · Arizona (AIA)
WSOF Lightweight Championship · World Series of Fighting
Amateur MMA 7-0 · Record
University of Northern Colorado · Wrestling · 2007-2011
Safford High School · Wrestling · 2003-2007
Started in Folkstyle Wrestling

Camp

Genesis Training Center · Arvada, Colorado, US
Elevation Fight Team · Denver, US
Grudge Training Center · Wheat Ridge, Colorado, US Former

Coaches

Trevor Wittman · Head coach

Training partners

Nikita Kulshin
Kamaru Usman
Rose Namajunas
Cory Sandhagen
Neil Magny
Curtis Blaydes

Fight DNA

Knockout Artist

UFCalendar's style model · Lightweight roster (24 fighters)

One-Shot Power

98 · top 4% in division

Fast Hands

96 · top 8% in division

Granite Base

95 · top 4% in division

Punch power95

Kick power98

Punch speed96

Kick speed95

Accuracy95

Takedowns86

Ground striking92

Submissions82

Chin94

Body strength95

Cardio93

Attributes are rated 0-100 by UFCalendar's style model.

By the numbers

UFC careerRecord: 28-5-0 · Source: UFCStats.com

Striking

Strikes landed6.29per min

57% accuracy

Strikes absorbed6.83per min

50% avoided

Grappling

Takedowns landed0.30per 15 min

26% success

Takedowns stuffed73%

Submission attempts0.0per 15 min

Bonus résumé

Justin Gaethje has won 17 UFC post-fight bonuses. Estimated bonus earnings: $1,000,000.

★ FOTN ×11★ POTN ×6

Estimates use each era's real amount: $50,000 from 2012, $100,000 from UFC 324, plus $25,000 finish incentives.

All-time bonus leaders →

Salary & career earnings

Disclosed purses, reported paydays and what we estimate Justin Gaethje earns per fight.

Justin Gaethje's salary & career earnings →

Career history

WIN
vs Ilia Topuria
UFCUFC Freedom 250· Jun 14, 2026· Lightweight· 28-5 vs 17-1
TKO
R4 · 5:00
FOTN + POTN
WIN
vs Paddy Pimblett×2Title bout · Title win #2
UFCUFC 324: Gaethje vs Pimblett· Jan 24, 2026· Interim Lightweight· 27-5 vs 23-4
UD
R5 · 5:00
FOTN
WIN
vs Rafael Fiziev
UFCUFC 313: Pereira vs Ankalaev· Mar 8, 2025· Lightweight· 26-5 vs 12-4
UD
R3 · 5:00
FOTN
LOSS
vs Max Holloway
UFCUFC 300: Pereira vs Hill· Apr 13, 2024· Lightweight· 25-5 vs 26-7
TKO
R5 · 4:59
FOTN
WIN
vs Dustin Poirier
UFCUFC 291: Poirier vs Gaethje 2· Jul 29, 2023· Lightweight· 25-4 vs 29-8
TKO
R2 · 1:00
POTN
WIN
vs Rafael Fiziev
UFCUFC 286: Edwards vs Usman 3· Mar 18, 2023· Lightweight· 24-4 vs 12-2
MD
R3 · 5:00
FOTN
LOSS
vs Charles Oliveira
UFCUFC 274: Oliveira vs Gaethje· May 7, 2022· Lightweight· 23-4 vs 33-8
SUB
R1 · 3:22
WIN
vs Michael Chandler
UFCUFC 268: Usman vs Covington 2· Nov 6, 2021· Lightweight· 23-3 vs 22-7
UD
R3 · 5:00
FOTN
LOSS
vs Khabib NurmagomedovTitle bout
UFCUFC 254: Khabib vs Gaethje· Oct 24, 2020· Lightweight· 22-3 vs 29-0
SUB
R2 · 1:34
WIN
vs Tony Ferguson×1Title bout · Title win #1
UFCUFC 249: Ferguson vs Gaethje· May 9, 2020· Interim Lightweight· 22-2 vs 25-4
TKO
R5 · 3:39
FOTN + POTN
WIN
vs Donald Cerrone
UFCUFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs Gaethje· Sep 14, 2019· Lightweight· 21-2 vs 36-13
TKO
R1 · 4:18
POTN
WIN
vs Edson Barboza
UFCUFC Fight Night: Barboza vs Gaethje· Mar 30, 2019· Lightweight· 20-2 vs 20-7
TKO
R1 · 2:30
FOTN
WIN
vs James Vick
UFCUFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs Vick· Aug 25, 2018· Lightweight· 19-2 vs 13-2
TKO
R1 · 1:27
POTN
LOSS
vs Dustin Poirier
UFCUFC Fight Night: Poirier vs Gaethje· Apr 14, 2018· Lightweight· 18-2 vs 23-5
TKO
R4 · 0:33
FOTN
LOSS
vs Eddie Alvarez
UFCUFC 218: Holloway vs Aldo 2· Dec 2, 2017· Lightweight· 18-1 vs 29-5
TKO
R3 · 3:59
FOTN
WIN
vs Michael Johnson
UFCUFC Fight Night: Johnson vs Gaethje· Jul 7, 2017· Lightweight· 18-0 vs 17-12
TKO
R2 · 4:48
FOTN + POTN
WIN
vs Luiz Firmino×5Title bout · Title win #5
WSOF 34: Gaethje vs. Firmino· Dec 31, 2016· Lightweight· 17-0 vs 19-8
TKO
R3 · 5:00
WIN
vs Brian Foster×4Title bout · Title win #4
WSOF 29: Gaethje vs. Foster· Mar 12, 2016· Lightweight· 16-0 vs 26-9
TKO
R1 · 1:43
WIN
vs Luis Palomino×3Title bout · Title win #3
WSOF 23: Gaethje vs. Palomino 2· Sep 18, 2015· Lightweight· 15-0 vs 23-11
TKO
R2 · 4:40
WIN
vs Luis Palomino×2Title bout · Title win #2
WSOF 19: Gaethje vs. Palomino· Mar 28, 2015· Lightweight· 14-0 vs 23-10
TKO
R3 · 3:57
WIN
vs Melvin Guillard
WSOF 15: Branch vs. Okami· Nov 15, 2014· Catchweight· 13-0 vs 32-14-2
SD
WIN
vs Nick Newell×1Title bout · Title win #1
WSOF 11: Gaethje vs. Newell· Jul 5, 2014· Lightweight· 12-0 vs 11-1
TKO
R2 · 3:09
WIN
vs Richard Patishnock
WSOF 8: Gaethje vs. Patishnock· Jan 18, 2014· Lightweight· 11-0 vs 6-2
TKO
R1 · 1:09
WIN
vs Dan Lauzon
WSOF 6: Burkman vs. Carl· Oct 26, 2013· Lightweight· 10-0 vs 17-5
TKO
R2 · 1:40
WIN
vs Brian Cobb
WSOF 3: Fitch vs. Burkman 2· Jun 14, 2013· Lightweight· 9-0 vs 20-8
SUB
R3 · 2:19
WIN
vs Gesias Cavalcante
WSOF 2: Arlovski vs. Johnson· Mar 23, 2013· Lightweight· 8-0 vs 17-7-1
TKO
R1 · 2:27
WIN
vs TBA
Rage in the Cage· Nov 16, 2012· 7-0
TKO
WIN
vs Drew Fickett
Rage in the Cage· Oct 20, 2012· Catchweight· 6-0 vs 42-19
TKO
R1 · 0:12
WIN
vs Sam Young
Rage in the Cage· Sep 29, 2012· 5-0 vs 0-1
SUB
WIN
vs Marcus Edwards
ROF 43: Bad Blood· Jun 2, 2012· Lightweight· 4-0 vs 0-1
UD
WIN
vs Donnie Bell
ROF 42: Who's Next· Dec 17, 2011· Lightweight· 3-0 vs 2-1
TKO
R2 · 2:57
WIN
vs Joe Kelso
Colorado Regional· Oct 1, 2011· 2-0 vs 1-7
TKO
WIN
vs Kevin Croom
ROF 41: Bragging Rights!· Aug 20, 2011· Catchweight· 1-0 vs 4-3
TKO
R1 · 1:01

Career history data via Tapology.

Official UFC Ranking

Justin Gaethje's standing in the official UFC rankings, tracked since 2013.

Current: Champion Lightweight · #4 Men's Pound-for-Pound
Meta rank: Champion Lightweight
Peak: Champion Lightweight
First ranked: Jul 10, 2017
Times ranked: 374

Men's Pound-for-Pound

Lightweight

View full UFC rankings →

UFCalendar Power Index rating

Current: 1964▲20
Peak: 1964Jun 15, 2026
Rated fights: 32

See the full Power Index →

Frequently asked questions

When does Justin Gaethje fight next?

Justin Gaethje has no confirmed upcoming fight.

What is Justin Gaethje's record?

Justin Gaethje's professional MMA record is 28-5-0.

Who is Justin Gaethje fighting next?

Justin Gaethje's next opponent has not been announced.

Who did Justin Gaethje fight last?

Justin Gaethje most recently fought Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday, June 14, 2026, WIN (TKO).

What weight class does Justin Gaethje fight in?

Justin Gaethje fights at Lightweight.

Is Justin Gaethje ranked in the UFC?

Justin Gaethje is the current UFC Lightweight champion.

How many knockouts does Justin Gaethje have?

Justin Gaethje has 20 wins by KO/TKO and 2 wins by submission.

How many UFC bonuses has Justin Gaethje won?

Justin Gaethje has won 17 UFC post-fight bonuses: 11× Fight of the Night, 6× Performance of the Night.

How tall is Justin Gaethje?

Justin Gaethje is 5'11" (180 cm) tall.

How much does Justin Gaethje weigh?

Justin Gaethje weighs 155 lbs (70 kg).

What is Justin Gaethje's reach?

Justin Gaethje has a reach of 70" (178 cm).

How old is Justin Gaethje?

Justin Gaethje is 37 years old (born Nov 14, 1988).

Where is Justin Gaethje from?

Justin Gaethje is from United States.

CAREER SUMMARY