Justin Gaethje has consistently earned post-fight bonuses throughout his UFC career due to his aggressive and intense fighting style. On January 24th, at UFC 324, Gaethje will face Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship, marking the first numbered event under UFC’s new broadcast agreement. Earlier this year, Gaethje publicly threatened retirement if not granted a title shot, reflecting his long-standing credibility in the sport. Although he didn’t secure the chance to fight for the undisputed title, the 37-year-old earned a shot at the interim belt after Ilya Topuria announced a hiatus from MMA. As the new year begins, Gaethje aims to maintain his reputation as one of the fiercest fighters in the sport by delivering another exhilarating performance.
Known as “The Highlight,” Gaethje brought a ferocious reputation when he signed with the UFC in 2017. In the World Series of Fighting (now PFL), he finished eight of his nine bouts, with only one fight going the distance. His UFC debut saw him knock out seasoned veteran Michael Johnson with a devastating knee in the second round, which earned Gaethje both Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses, totaling $100,000. Even after losing two matches in a row, Gaethje still captured $100,000 bonuses for each fight’s Fight of the Night honors. He followed that with four consecutive wins, collecting bonuses for every victory. Of his 14 UFC battles, only two — against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira — did not result in a bonus. At UFC 300, Gaethje was awarded a $300,000 Fight of the Night bonus despite the bout ending in an unprecedented knockout. Currently, his total post-fight bonuses stand at $950,000, and with his upcoming fight, that number could reach $1 million.
Known as “The Most Violent Fighter in Sports” by Joe Rogan, Gaethje has the chance to join former rival Charles Oliveira in earning $1 million in post-fight bonuses if he wins at UFC 324. Oliveira made history by achieving this milestone following his win over Michael Chandler at UFC 309.
Fan Take: This milestone highlights Gaethje’s unmatched ability to excite fans and earn recognition for his fearless fighting. For the sport, it underscores the value of fighters who consistently bring action-packed performances, pushing MMA’s entertainment and competitive standards higher.
