Everything you need to know about mixed martial artist and UFC lightweight star Justin Gaethje.
Gaethje became only the second fighter in UFC history to be handed the BMF championship after winning the title at UFC 291.
The American took on Dustin Poirier in the 291 event in July and the 35-year-old landed a stunning head kick knockout on Poirier to end the fight.
That display prompted the UFC to hand him the BMF championship and Gaethje is currently ranked at number two in the UFC lightweight rankings.
The Arizona fighter has an overall record of 25 victories from 29 bouts, with 20 of those wins coming by knockout.
'The Highlight' made his professional debut in 2011 and he is a former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion.
Gaethje began wrestling when he was four-years-old and the 35-year-old became a two-time Arizona state champion at Safford High School. The Highlight stepped out on his MMA journey when attending the University of Northern Colorado and he was inducted into the University of Northern Colorado Athletics Hall of Fame for his achievements in wrestling.
In 2011, the Arizona fighter moved into the professional ranks and recorded a first-round knockout victory over Kevin Croom. That first win as a pro, followed a 7-0 amateur career, and six of those triumphs came by KO.
The World Series of Fighting came calling in 2012 and in 2014 Gaethje became the first ever WSOF Lightweight Champion when knocking out Richard Patishnock.
The Highlight successfully defended his title on five occasions, before making the switch to the UFC in 2017.
In 2017, Gaethje vacated his WSOF Lightweight Champion and made the move to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The 35-year-old defeated veteran Michael Johnson, on an evening where the American earned Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night plaudits.
Gaethje then went on to suffer the first defeat of his professional career at the hands of Eddie Alvarez and a loss to Dustin Poirier followed.
However, the Highlight put those reversals behind him and went on to win the interim lightweight title against Tony Ferguson in 2020.
A huge unification bout for the UFC Lightweight Championship against Khabib Nurmagomedov followed for Gaethje, but the Arizona fighter lost via technical submission.
Once again, the 35-year-old recovered from a set-back and the Highlight was handed the BMF Championship after turning the tables on Poirier last year.
Gaethje has won 25 of his 29 MMA contests with 20 of those victories coming by stoppage. The Highlight’s four defeats have come via submission.
The Arizona fight won his opening 18 professional contests and all but three of those successes came by knockout.
The Highlight is a gifted and experienced wrestler, but he rarely looks for takedowns, instead preferring an entertaining stand-up fighting style. The 35-year-old carries fearsome punch power and his leg kicks have crumbled many opponents.
After making it 18 victories on the bounce, Gaethje suffered the first defeats of his career when losing to Alvarez in 2017 and Poirier in 2018. That promoted a more considered approach, but the Highlight maintained his pressure fighting and exciting style.
Gaethje is currently on a two-fight winning streak, having beaten Rafael Fiziev by decision in London last year, before landing a knockout kick to the head of Poirier in July.
Gaethje was born on November 14, 1988, and he is 35 years of age.
Gaethje is 5ft 11in.
Gaethje competes in the lightweight division, and he weighs 155 pounds.
It’s estimated that the Highlight has a net worth of $5m.
Gaethje will take on Max Holloway at UFC 300 on April 13, 2024.