Justin Gaethje Demands Massive Payday for Next UFC Fight

Justin Gaethje believes the UFC owes him a title shot next. 

Gaethje is 3-1 in his last four, which includes two decision wins over Rafael Fiziev and a knockout win over Dustin Poirier. His only recent loss came in an iconic BMF title fight against Max Holloway at UFC 300 last year. Gaethje claims the UFC came “begging” to him to fight “Blessed.” Gaethje also argues that the loss shouldn’t have any bearing on the title picture, as it was essentially an exhibition fight. 

Gaethje further notes that Poirier, whom he beat, already got a title shot in the meantime. “The Highlight” also believes the UFC could have easily given him a title shot, as Islam Makhachev had repeatedly expressed interest in the matchup. With Makhachev having moved to welterweight, Charles Oliveira and former featherweight champ Ilia Topuria will compete for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 on June 28 in Las Vegas.

“They owe me a championship fight,” Gaethje said on “The Makeshift Podcast.” “I’m 3-1, last four. They came begging to my house to fight Max Holloway at UFC 300. I consider it an exhibition fight. I don’t mean that the loss is not on my record. I mean it had nothing to do with the rankings… And in the time that I did that, Dustin Poirier, who I just beat, got a good win over [Benoit] St.Denis and then fought for the belt. And since I won, the champion’s been saying he wants to fight me. So they could have easily set that up. But they didn’t. And then he vacates. And then Oliveira is 2-2 in his last four, already has a loss to Makhachev. And they bring a brand new guy [Topuria] in.”

Gaethje’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, recently said that his fighter is considering retirement if not given a title shot next. However, Gaethje has another solution. Gaethje is willing to take a risky fight for a massive payday that will guarantee a title shot if he wins or at least set him up financially if he loses.

“I’m not gonna fight any of these motherf—ers for fun unless they pay me so much more money. I’m gonna take a risky fight and if I lose, I’m gonna be set up, and if I win, I'm fighting for the belt.”