Sports • MMA

Justin Gaethje

Justin Gaethje is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC lightweight division.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Justin Gaethje is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC lightweight division. Born on November 14, 1988, he is a former WSOF lightweight champion, a former UFC interim lightweight champion, and a former UFC BMF titleholder.

Early life and background

Justin Gaethje was born in Safford, Arizona, on November 14, 1988. He is an American mixed martial artist known by the nickname "The Highlight".

Mixed martial arts career

Gaethje began his professional career in 2011 and built his reputation in WSOF before joining the UFC in 2017. He became WSOF lightweight champion and later won UFC lightweight-related titles, including the interim belt twice.

Fighting style and reputation

Gaethje is widely known for an aggressive striking style and a high-volume, high-damage approach. His UFC profile lists many of his wins coming by knockout, reflecting his reputation as a powerful finisher.

Recent career status

As of the available results, ESPN lists Gaethje's most recent fight as a win over Paddy Pimblett on January 24, 2026. The search results do not provide a verified upcoming bout date beyond that fight history entry.

Key facts

Justin Gaethje is a former WSOF lightweight champion, former UFC interim lightweight champion, and former UFC BMF titleholder.
He turned professional in 2011 and has competed in the UFC since 2017.
His UFC record is 28-5-0.
His most recent win was a unanimous decision over Paddy Pimblett on January 24, 2026.
Gaethje is known for his aggressive, high-damage striking style.

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Canadian context

Gaethje is relevant to Canadian readers as a major UFC lightweight contender whose fights are followed in Canada’s strong MMA fan base, but the provided sources do not show a specific Canada-only connection.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Justin Gaethje?

Justin Gaethje is an American professional mixed martial artist who fights in the UFC lightweight division. He is a former WSOF lightweight champion, former UFC interim lightweight champion, and former UFC BMF titleholder.

How old is Justin Gaethje?

He was born on November 14, 1988, which makes him 37 years old as of July 23, 2026.

What is Justin Gaethje's record?

The UFC stats page lists him at 28-5-0.

Who did Justin Gaethje lose to?

His most recent loss shown in the search results was to Max Holloway by KO/TKO at UFC 300 on April 13, 2024.

Is Justin Gaethje fighting soon?

The search results do not show a confirmed upcoming bout. The latest fight history entry provided is a win over Paddy Pimblett on January 24, 2026.

What happened to Justin Gaethje's nose?

The provided search results do not verify a specific nose injury or event. They do show that Gaethje is known for taking and absorbing heavy damage in fights, but no source here explains a particular nose incident.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Gaethje
Supports: Birth date, nationality, UFC and WSOF championship history, professional background
UFC — https://www.ufc.com/athlete/justin-gaethje
Supports: Professional since 2011 and knockout-oriented win totals
ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/bio/_/id/3022345/justin-gaethje
Supports: Birthdate, age, nickname, team, weight class
ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/history/_/id/3022345/justin-gaethje
Supports: Recent fight history, including win over Paddy Pimblett and loss to Max Holloway
UFC Stats — http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/9e8f6c728eb01124
Supports: Official record listing of 28-5-0
Tapology — https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/16421-justin-gaethje
Supports: Professional MMA record and career summary