Justin Gaethje Bio, Girlfriend, Record, Net Worth, Height, Age, Wiki

Justin Gaethje is a renowned American professional mixed martial artist. He is best known for currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is famous for being the former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion and the current UFC BMF Champion, being the second fighter in UFC history to hold the prestigious BMF championship. Gaethje secured the BMF title on July 29, 2023, at UFC 291. As of August 1, 2023, he holds the #2 spot in the UFC lightweight rankings and is ranked #13 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. Gaethje's journey in combat sports started early, as he began wrestling at the age of four and went on to achieve two Arizona state championships during his time at Safford High School. He continued his wrestling success at the University of Northern Colorado, becoming an NCAA Division I All-American. While in college, Gaethje embarked on his amateur MMA career before turning professional in 2011. In 2013, he joined the World Series of Fighting (WSOF), where he became the Lightweight Champion, successfully defending his belt five times before moving to the UFC in 2017.

Justin Gaethje's Early Life and Family Story

Born on November 14, 1988, in Tucson, Arizona, USA, Justin Gaethje, known by his real name Justin Ray Gaethje, is a 34-year-old mixed martial artist with German-American heritage from his father's side. He is the son of Carolina and John Ray, with his mother working as a postmaster and his father being a copper miner, following the footsteps of both his grandfathers. Justin has a twin brother named Marcus and two sisters. His ethnic background is a mix of Mexican descent from his mother's side (Sonora, Mexico) and German descent from his father's side. His paternal grandfather was a boxer while serving in the United States Army. 

Justin attended Safford High School and later pursued a bachelor's degree in Human Services from the University of Northern Colorado through the NCAA Division I program, despite working grueling hours at the Morenci mine during his early adulthood. Determined to succeed, Gaethje aims to use his education to contribute to social work with at-risk youth.

Justin Gaethje Fighting Career

• Justin Gaethje's wrestling journey began at the age of four. 
• He attended Safford High School, where he excelled in wrestling, becoming a four-time finalist and two-time state champion. 
• In college, he joined the NCAA Division I program at the University of Northern Colorado.
• As a junior, Gaethje achieved All-American status, making him the first Northern Colorado wrestler to do so in several decades. 
• He was later inducted into the University of Northern Colorado Athletics Hall of Fame for his wrestling achievements in June 2020.
• His journey in mixed martial arts (MMA) started during his college years at the University of Northern Colorado, where he wrestled with notable UFC fighters like Georges St-Pierre, Clay Guida, and Donald Cerrone.
• He expressed his interest in trying out MMA but was advised by coaches to improve his grades first. 
• After making his amateur debut and securing an impressive 7-0 record, he turned professional and had a series of successful fights on the regional circuit.
• Gaethje joined the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) on 2nd December 2012.
• He made his debut on March 23, 2013, at WSOF 2, defeating Gesias Cavalcante in the first round through TKO (doctor stoppage) with a cut above Cavalcante's left eye. 
• He continued his winning streak at WSOF 3 on June 14, 2013, by securing a TKO victory against Brian Cobb in the third round through leg kicks. 
• His impressive run continued at WSOF 6 on October 26, 2013, where he knocked out Dan Lauzon with a right uppercut in the second round. 
• These victories earned him a chance to compete for the inaugural WSOF Lightweight Championship, which he won by defeating Richard Patishnock via first-round TKO on January 18, 2014. 
• He defended his title successfully against Nick Newell at WSOF 11 on July 5, 2014, with a second-round right hook TKO. 
• He faced Melvin Guillard at WSOF 15 on November 15, 2014, and secured a split decision win after Guillard missed weight. 
• He then faced Luis Palomino at WSOF 19 on March 28, 2015, defending his title with a third-round TKO. Their rematch at WSOF 23 on September 18, 2015, also ended in Gaethje's favor with a second-round TKO victory. 
• He continued to dominate at WSOF 29 on March 12, 2016, defending his belt against Brian Foster with a first-round TKO due to leg kicks. 
• However, he received an indefinite suspension from the Colorado State Athletic Commission for an unsportsmanlike conduct, though it was later lifted. 
• A series of unfortunate events, including canceled bouts and opponent changes, led him to defend his WSOF Lightweight Championship against Luiz Firmino at WSOF 34 on December 31, 2016, securing a TKO victory via doctor stoppage after round three due to Firmino's swollen eye.
• Since joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2017, he has had an eventful career. 
• After winning his UFC debut against Michael Johnson in a thrilling back-and-forth fight via second-round TKO, Gaethje faced Eddie Alvarez in December 2017, losing his first MMA bout by KO in the third round. 
• He bounced back with a Fight of the Night TKO victory over Dustin Poirier in April 2018, causing a partial tear in Poirier's quadriceps femoris muscle. 
• He continued his impressive run with a first-round knockout against James Vick in August 2018 and a first-round KO of Edson Barboza in March 2019. 
• He followed this with another first-round TKO win over Donald Cerrone in September 2019.
• His momentous victory against Tony Ferguson in May 2020 earned him the interim UFC Lightweight Championship and two more bonus awards. 
• In October 2020, he fought Khabib Nurmagomedov for the unification bout but suffered a second-round submission loss. 
• He then secured a unanimous decision win over Michael Chandler in November 2021, a Fight of the Year performance.
• Although he knocked down Charles Oliveira twice, he lost to Oliveira via rear-naked choke submission in May 2022, missing the chance to win the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship. 
• He secured a majority decision win against Rafael Fiziev in March 2023, followed by a head kick knockout victory over Dustin Poirier in July 2023, winning the "BMF" belt and earning his fifth Performance of the Night award.
• Justin Gaethje has an impressive professional mixed martial arts record, with 25 wins and 4 losses in 29 matches. Out of his victories, 20 were achieved through knockout, 1 via submission, and 4 by decision.

Justin Gaethje Awards ad Accomplishments

Wrestling

National Collegiate Athletic Association

• NCAA Division I All-American out of the University of Northern Colorado (2010) 
• 2010 NCAA Division I 157 lb Championship – 7th Place 
• University of Northern Colorado Athletics Hall of Fame

Mixed martial arts

Ultimate Fighting Championship

• Interim UFC Lightweight Championship (One time) 
• UFC 'BMF' Championship
• Fight of the Night (Seven times) vs. Michael Johnson, Eddie Alvarez, Dustin Poirier, Edson Barboza, Tony Ferguson, Michael Chandler and Rafael Fiziev 
• Tied (Diego Sanchez, Jim Miller and Joe Lauzon) for fifth most Fight of the Night bonuses in UFC history (7)
• Performance of the Night (Five times) vs. Michael Johnson, James Vick, Donald Cerrone, Tony Ferguson and Dustin Poirier
• Fifth most Post-Fight bonuses in UFC Lightweight division history (12) 
• Eighth most Post-Fight bonuses in UFC history (12) 
• Most Post-Fight bonuses-per-bout in UFC history (12 bonuses in 12 bouts) (minimum 10 bouts)
• Highest significant strike accuracy percentage in UFC Lightweight division history (60.3%) 
• Second most significant strikes landed per minute in UFC Lightweight division history (7.35) 
• 2017 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Johnson 
• 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 

World Series of Fighting

• WSOF Lightweight Championship (One time; first; only)
• Five successful title defenses
• Most consecutive title defenses (five)
• Most wins in title bouts (six)
• Longest lightweight winning streak (10)
• Most knockout wins (nine)

World MMA Awards

• 2017 Fight of the Year vs. Eddie Alvarez at UFC 218 
• 2017 Comeback of the Year vs. Michael Johnson at The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale 

MMAjunkie

• 2015 March Fight of the Month vs. Luis Palomino 
• 2015 September Fight of the Month vs. Luis Palomino 
• 2017 Round of the Year vs. Michael Johnson (Round 1) 
• 2018 Fight of the Year vs. Dustin Poirier 
• 2021 November Fight of the Month vs. Michael Chandler 
• 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 
• 2023 March Fight of the Month vs. Rafael Fiziev 

Yahoo! Sports

• 2015 Best Fight of the Half-Year vs. Luis Palomino 
• 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 

MMAFighting.com

• 2021 Fight of the year vs. Michael Chandler 

Sherdog

• 2017 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Johnson 
• 2017 Round of the Year vs. Michael Johnson (Round 2) 
• 2018 Fight of the Year vs. Dustin Poirier 
• 2018 Round of the Year vs. Dustin Poirier (round 2) 
• 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 
• 2021 Round of the Year vs. Michael Chandler (Round 1) 

Bleacher Report

• 2017 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Johnson 
• 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 

RealSport

• 2017 UFC Debut of the Year vs. Michael Johnson 

CBS Sports

• 2017 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Johnson 
• 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 

Bloody Elbow

• 2017 Best Fight of the Year vs. Michael Johnson 

Cageside Press

• 2017 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Johnson 
• 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 

MMAWeekly.com

• 2018 Fight of the Year vs. Dustin Poirier 

CombatPress.com

• 2018 Fight of the Year vs. Dustin Poirier 
• 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 

MMADNA.nl

• 2017 Fight of the Year vs. Eddie Alvarez 
• 2017 Debut of the Year. 

Lowkick MMA

• 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 

Daily Mirror

• 2021 Fight of the Year vs. Michael Chandler 

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• MMA Match of the Year (2018) vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje 
• MMA Match of the Year (2021) vs. Michael Chandler at UFC 268 

Justin Gaethje's Gorgeous Girlfriend Revealed

Justin Gaethje is currently in a relationship with his girlfriend, Sophia Romano, and the couple has been together for some time. Sophia recently expressed her love and support for Justin on her Instagram, sharing a heartfelt message and a picture of them together. Despite Justin's aggressive fighting style in the octagon, it's evident that he has a caring and supportive partner by his side. While he is not married yet, he and Sophia are enjoying their present life together, and it's clear that they have a strong bond. Justin identifies as straight when it comes to his sexuality. The duo are planning to get married soon. 

A Look At His Net Worth and Salary

Justin Gaethje is a highly successful MMA fighter with a net worth estimated at $4 million in 2023. His rise to financial success began with his biggest UFC fight purse after facing Khabib 'The Eagle' Nurmagomedov, where he reportedly earned an impressive $1.2 million. Gaethje's yearly earnings have steadily climbed since 2013, peaking at an astounding $2.1 million in 2020. Starting from his debut year's salary of $55,000, he saw significant increases in subsequent years, earning $102,000 in 2014 and $468,000 in 2017. He continued to receive substantial sums, with earnings of $437,000 in 2018, $609,000 in 2019, and $556,000 in 2021. Additionally, Gaethje has bolstered his income through various brand endorsements, promoting ONX Sports, his coach's company, as well as his own brand, Violent 1. He also endorses Bulge Clothing, Saratoga Casinos, Gladiators Unleashed, and recently Gains in Bulk. Notably, he invested in the clothing line Violet and is a spokesperson for Audi, showcasing their cars on his Instagram. Embracing a lavish lifestyle, Gaethje's financial success reflects his dedication and talent as a formidable MMA fighter.

Justin Gaethje Eyes, Height, & Weight

Justin Gaethje is a renowned mixed martial artist with a successful career in the sport. Standing at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 70 kg, he possesses an athletic body that complements his skill and dedication to the sport. With blonde hair and striking blue eyes, he adds to his captivating presence both inside and outside the octagon. Gaethje's talent and prowess in the ring have earned him a reputation as a skilled fighter, and he has competed in several high-profile matches, demonstrating his capabilities. His body type is athletic and he maintains his body a lot by doing frequent exercise. He is very strict towards his diet and he is conscious about his food intake. 

In 2016, Gaethje underwent a photorefractive keratectomy to improve his eyesight. He mentioned that his vision was severely impaired, with one eye at 20/60 and the other at 20/200. Moreover, he suffered from farsightedness in one eye and nearsightedness in the other. According to Dan Hardy on Inside the Octagon, Gaethje's eyesight was so poor that he had to be in physical contact with his opponent to accurately gauge his strikes.