Justin "The Highlight" Gaethje is a 36-year-old fighter competing in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Beginning his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career in 2011, Gaethje has amassed a record of 25 wins and five losses as of March 7, 2025. Known for his aggressive fighting style, Gaethje has secured 20 of his victories via knockout, with only four by decision.
Gaethje debuted in the UFC on July 7, 2017, in a bout against Michael "The Menace" Johnson, defeating him by a technical second-round knockout and earning two bonuses. The Arizonan won the interim UFC Lightweight Championship on May 9, 2020, via TKO against Tony "El Cucuy" Ferguson at UFC 249. His second career milestone was taking home the "Baddest Mother****er" title (BMF) with a second-round head-kick knockout of Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 on July 29, 2023. Sadly, his reign did not last long because he would eventually lose the title to Max "Blessed" Holloway at UFC 300 in his first title defense. As of March 7, 2025, Gaethje stands at #3 in the lightweight division of the UFC, and his next fight is a rematch against Rafael "Altman" Fiziev in the co-main event of UFC 313.
Justin Gaethje Parents
Justin Gaethje was born to his parents, c, on November 14, 1988, in Tucson, Arizona, and grew up in Safford. His father was a copper miner, and his mother was a postmaster. Gaethje grew up in a working-class family, and his parents' hard work influenced his upbringing, with his father having spent decades in the mines.
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Justin Gaethje Wrestling Career
Although best known for his striking, Justin Gaethje started in combat sports through wrestling. Gaethje started wrestling at four and was a two-time state champion in high school with a record of 191–9. He later wrestled at the University of Northern Colorado and was an NCAA Division I All-American in 2010.
Despite struggling with cutting weight in his final year, he still made it to the NCAA tournament. In 2020, he was inducted into the Northern Colorado Athletics Hall of Fame.
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FAQs on Justin Gaethje
A. John Ray Gaethje and Carolina Espinoza are Justin Gaethje’s parents.
A. He was born in Safford, Arizona, in the United States.
A. He is 36 years old as of March 2025.
A. Gaethje held a wrestling record of 191-9 when he graduated high school.
