Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje, who was born on November 14, 1988, in Safford, Arizona, is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the 155 lb (lightweight) division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Gaethje made his first walk to the UFC octagon on July 7, 2017, against Michael Johnson, winning the fight via TKO in the second round. He received Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses for the showing. The Arizona native won the interim UFC Lightweight Championship on May 9, 2020, with a TKO of Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. Gaethje gained a second-round head kick knockout of Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 on July 29, 2023, winning the symbolic "BMF" title, which he would later lose to Max Holloway at UFC 300. "The Highlight" currently has a rematch against Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313 on March 8, 2025.
Justin Gaethje Record
Heading into UFC 313, maintains a professional MMA record of 25 wins and five losses (25-5-0). He boasts an 84% finish rate, with 20 of his wins coming via knockout, one by submitting his opponent, and four by decision.
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location |
| Loss | 25–5 | Max Holloway | KO (punch) | UFC 300 | April 13, 2024 | 5 | 4:59 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
| Win | 25–4 | Dustin Poirier | KO (head kick) | UFC 291 | July 29, 2023 | 2 | 1:00 | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Win | 24–4 | Rafael Fiziev | Decision (majority) | UFC 286 | March 18, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England |
| Loss | 23–4 | Charles Oliveira | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 274 | May 7, 2022 | 1 | 3:22 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
| Win | 23–3 | Michael Chandler | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 268 | November 6, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | New York City, New York, United States |
| Loss | 22–3 | Khabib Nurmagomedov | Technical Submission (triangle choke) | UFC 254 | October 24, 2020 | 2 | 1:34 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| Win | 22–2 | Tony Ferguson | TKO (punch) | UFC 249 | May 9, 2020 | 5 | 3:39 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States |
| Win | 21–2 | Donald Cerrone | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje | September 14, 2019 | 1 | 4:18 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Win | 20–2 | Edson Barboza | KO (punch) | UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje | March 30, 2019 | 1 | 2:30 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Win | 19–2 | James Vick | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick | August 25, 2018 | 1 | 1:27 | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States |
| Loss | 18–2 | Dustin Poirier | TKO (punches) | UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje | April 14, 2018 | 4 | 0:33 | Glendale, Arizona, United States |
| Loss | 18–1 | Eddie Alvarez | KO (knee) | UFC 218 | December 2, 2017 | 3 | 3:59 | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Win | 18–0 | Michael Johnson | TKO (punches and knees) | The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale | July 7, 2017 | 2 | 4:48 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
| Win | 17–0 | Luiz Firmino | TKO (doctor stoppage) | WSOF 34 | December 31, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | New York City, New York, United States |
| Win | 16–0 | Brian Foster | TKO (leg kicks) | WSOF 29 | March 12, 2016 | 1 | 1:43 | Greeley, Colorado, United States |
| Win | 15–0 | Luis Palomino | TKO (punches) | WSOF 23 | September 18, 2015 | 2 | 4:30 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
| Win | 14–0 | Luis Palomino | TKO (leg kicks and punches) | WSOF 19 | March 28, 2015 | 3 | 3:57 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
| Win | 13–0 | Melvin Guillard | Decision (split) | WSOF 15 | November 15, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Tampa, Florida, United States |
| Win | 12–0 | Nick Newell | TKO (punches) | WSOF 11 | July 5, 2014 | 2 | 3:09 | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
| Win | 11–0 | Richard Patishnock | TKO (punches and elbows) | WSOF 8 | January 18, 2014 | 1 | 1:09 | Hollywood, Florida, United States |
| Win | 10–0 | Dan Lauzon | KO (punches) | WSOF 6 | October 28, 2013 | 2 | 1:40 | Coral Gables, Florida, United States |
| Win | 9–0 | Brian Cobb | TKO (leg kicks) | WSOF 3 | June 14, 2013 | 3 | 2:19 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
| Win | 8–0 | Gesias Cavalcante | TKO (doctor stoppage) | WSOF 2 | March 23, 2013 | 1 | 2:27 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |
| Win | 7–0 | Adrian Valdez | TKO (punches) | Rage in the Cage 164 | November 16, 2012 | 2 | 0:19 | Chandler, Arizona, United States |
| Win | 6–0 | Drew Fickett | KO (punch) | Rage in the Cage 163 | October 20, 2012 | 1 | 0:12 | Chandler, Arizona, United States |
| Win | 5–0 | Sam Young | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Rage in the Cage 162 | September 29, 2012 | 2 | 1:58 | Chandler, Arizona, United States |
| Win | 4–0 | Marcus Edwards | Decision (unanimous) | Ring of Fire 43 | June 2, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States |
| Win | 3–0 | Donnie Bell | TKO (punches) | Ring of Fire 42 | December 17, 2011 | 2 | 2:57 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States |
| Win | 2–0 | Joe Kelso | TKO (punches) | Bring the Thunder MMA 2 | October 1, 2011 | 1 | 4:32 | Pueblo, Colorado, United States |
| Win | 1–0 | Kevin Croom | KO (slam) | Ring of Fire 41 | August 20, 2011 | 1 | 1:01 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States |
Justin Gaethje UFC Record
As of March 3, 2025, Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje holds a UFC record of eight wins and five losses (8-5-0).
Also Read: Justin Gaethje's Twin Brother
FAQs on Justin Gaethje
A. Justin Gaethje maintains an MMA record of 25 wins and 5 losses as of March 3, 2025.
A. Justin Gaethje holds a UFC record of 8 wins and 5 losses.
A. Justin Gaethje is 36 years old as of March 2025.
A. Justin Gaethje currently competes in the lightweight division of the UFC (155 lbs).
A. Justin Gaethje hails from Arizona, United States.
