Justin Gaethje is a professional mixed martial artist in the Lightweight division of the UFC. He has held the UFC Interim Lightweight and BMF Champion titles, and is ranked #3 in the UFC lightweight rankings.
On January 4, 1508, a lightweight fight took place.
A lightweight fight happened on January 7, 1508.
Justin Ray Gaethje, the American professional mixed martial artist, was born on November 14, 1988, in Tucson, Arizona. He is known for his career in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Justin Gaethje made his amateur debut during the pre-season of his sophomore year by scoring a slam knockout on his opponent after improving his grades.
In 2009, Justin Gaethje qualified for the NCAA Division I 157 lb Championship, where he had a 0–2 record. Despite this, he finished the season with a 14–4 record and was named to the Western Wrestling All-Conference First Team.
In 2010, Justin Gaethje went 5-2 at the NCAA Division I 157 lb Championship, earning 7th place and All-American status. He became the first Northern Colorado wrestler to achieve Division I All-American status since 1970.
Justin Gaethje made his professional debut in the world of mixed martial arts on August 20, 2011.
Justin Gaethje made his debut in World Series of Fighting (WSOF) 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, Justin Gaethje fought Brian Cobb at WSOF 3, winning via TKO from leg kicks in the third round.
On October 26, 2013, Justin Gaethje fought Dan Lauzon at WSOF 6, finishing Lauzon by knockout with a right uppercut in the second round.
On January 18, 2014, Justin Gaethje fought Richard Patishnock in the headline bout of WSOF 8, winning via TKO in the first round to become the first WSOF Lightweight Champion.
On July 5, 2014, Justin Gaethje defended his title against Nick Newell at WSOF 11, winning with a right hook TKO in the second round.
On November 15, 2014, Justin Gaethje faced Melvin Guillard at WSOF 15 in a non-title contest after Guillard missed weight. Gaethje won via split decision.
On March 28, 2015, Justin Gaethje defended his title against Luis Palomino at WSOF 19, winning via TKO in the third round after a combination of leg kicks and punches. The fight was named the best fight of 2015 by the Los Angeles Times.
WSOF 23 event featuring a lightweight championship fight between Justin Gaethje and Luis Palomino. Gaethje was a huge favorite and won the bout with punches in the second round.
WSOF 29 event where Justin Gaethje fought Brian Foster in a lightweight bout. Gaethje won the fight with leg kicks in the first round.
Three days after his victory at WSOF 29, Justin Gaethje was suspended indefinitely by the Colorado State Athletic Commission for 'unsportsmanlike conduct' due to his signature celebration of a backflip off the cage. The suspension was lifted a day later.
On October 7, 2016, Justin Gaethje was expected to defend the WSOF Lightweight Championship against Ozzy Dugulubgov at WSOF 33, but the bout was cancelled on the event day due to Dugulubgov's illness.
On December 31st, 2016, WSOF 34 took place featuring a Lightweight bout between Justin Gaethje and Luiz Firmino. The fight ended in a TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in Round 3 with Firmino winning.
On May 4, 2017, Justin Gaethje announced he had vacated his WSOF title and signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Justin Gaethje won the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the second round through a combination of punches and knees.
Justin Gaethje made his debut in the UFC octagon on July 8, 2017.
On July 13, 2017, the UFC announced that Justin Gaethje would coach The Ultimate Fighter 26 along with Eddie Alvarez, with the duo expected to face each other at the conclusion of the season.
On December 2, 2017, Justin Gaethje fought Eddie Alvarez at UFC 218, where Gaethje lost the competitive fight by KO in the third round, marking the first loss of his MMA career.
Justin Gaethje lost to Dustin Poirier via TKO in the fourth round in a back-and-forth fight. Gaethje earned his third consecutive Fight of the Night bonus award for this fight. Sherdog named it the best fight of 2018.
On August 25, 2018, Justin Gaethje faced Dustin Poirier in a fight where Gaethje suffered a loss via KO/TKO in the first round at 1:27.
Justin Gaethje faced Edson Barboza and won the fight via knockout in the first round. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.
Gaethje faced Donald Cerrone in the main event at UFC on ESPN+ 16, winning the fight via TKO in the first round and earning his third Performance of the Night bonus award.
A lightweight fight occurred on January 1, 2020.
A lightweight fight occurred on January 10, 2020.
Gaethje stepped in on short notice to face Tony Ferguson for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 249, dominating the fight and stopping Ferguson via TKO in the fifth round, ending Ferguson's 12-win streak.
Justin Gaethje fought Tony Ferguson at UFC 249, winning by TKO after dominating for 5 rounds, snapping Ferguson's 12-fight winning streak and becoming the Interim Lightweight Champion.
Justin Gaethje was submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov via triangle choke in the second round, losing the fight for the UFC lightweight title.
A lightweight fight took place on January 1, 2021.
Gaethje faced Michael Chandler at UFC 268 on November 6, 2021. Despite a tough fight, Gaethje won via unanimous decision, earning the Fight of the Night award.
In UFC 274 on May 7, 2022, Charles Oliveira submitted Justin Gaethje at 3:22 of the first round to claim the vacant UFC lightweight title.
Gaethje faced Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286 on March 18, 2023. He won the fight via majority decision in a back-and-forth battle, earning the Fight of the Night bonus.
In a rematch with Dustin Poirier for the 'BMF' belt on July 29, 2023, Gaethje won via head kick knockout in round two, securing his fifth Performance of the Night bonus.
Justin Gaethje is preparing for his fight at UFC 300 against Max Holloway. He aims to cause significant damage to Holloway and expects him to be bigger and slower.
Justin Gaethje lost to Max Holloway by KO/TKO in the UFC 300 event.