Justin Gaethje
Active 2017–present · rated in 5 editions · peak overall 92.0
Scouting report
Known as "The Highlight," Justin Gaethje attacks opponents with low kicks, hooks, and constant forward pressure. From Safford, Arizona, the former Interim UFC Lightweight Champion and BMF Champion fought Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier, and Michael Chandler, backed by a 92 Durability, 93 Boxing, 93 Kickboxing, and 92 Overall rating.
Peak ratings
By edition
Making his UFC debut in July 2017 at the TUF 25 Finale in Las Vegas, Gaethje stopped Michael Johnson via second-round TKO, before dropping a knockout loss against former champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 218 in Detroit. His low calf kicks, guard pressure, and punching power are reflected in an 88 Boxing and 88 Kickboxing.
After a loss to Dustin Poirier in April 2018 in Glendale, Gaethje scored three consecutive first-round knockouts over James Vick in Lincoln, Edson Barboza in Philadelphia, and Donald Cerrone in Vancouver. His power punching and technical boxing adjustments are reflected in a 90 Boxing and 90 Kickboxing score.
In May 2020 at UFC 249 in Jacksonville, Gaethje dismantled Tony Ferguson via fifth-round TKO to win the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship, before dropping a title unification submission to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 and defeating Michael Chandler by unanimous decision at UFC 268 in Madison Square Garden. His power boxing and durability anchor his 92 Boxing and 92 Kickboxing.
Gaethje defeated Rafael Fiziev in a striking battle at UFC 286 in London, knocked out Dustin Poirier with a head kick at UFC 291 in Salt Lake City to capture the BMF title, and lost by fifth-round knockout to Max Holloway at UFC 300 in Las Vegas. His low kicks, right-hand power, and toughness are reflected in a 93 Boxing and 93 Kickboxing.
Overall is an editorial rating. It can differ from a simple average of the attributes.
Justin Gaethje: the most watchable fighter in the pool
Justin Gaethje takes damage and hands it back at a rate few people can stand to watch. He kicks the lead leg until it stops working, then walks in swinging. If your build is built to brawl and hit hard, he provides most of what it needs.
Gaethje attribute by attribute
Boxing. Heavy and violent. Behind a high guard he wades in with hooks and uppercuts, and the finish of Tony Ferguson was a lesson in pocket boxing.
Kickboxing. Probably the most damaging calf kicks in the sport. He throws them like a bat, often without setup, and takes away an opponent's movement.
Wrestling. A Division 1 All-American who uses it defensively, to stay on his feet and force a striking war.
BJJ. Nonexistent offensively. He avoids the ground and scrambles to stand when taken down.
Strength. Blunt-force power. Everything is thrown hard, including in the later rounds.
Durability. Extremely durable. He took punishment from Eddie Alvarez, Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler and kept moving forward.
Cardio. Erratic early on, then much better under Trevor Wittman, who taught him to spend energy sensibly across five rounds.
Fight IQ. Higher than his reputation. He turned from a brawler into a fighter who sets traps, uses the jab and manages distance.
The trait to take: Kickboxing
The leg kicks alone shift a fight. Once the lead leg is dead, the heavy boxing arrives with less resistance.
The trait to skip: BJJ
He was submitted by Khabib and Oliveira when fights hit the mat. Take his BJJ and anyone with a real grappling game can exploit it.
Keep exploring
Closest lightweight profiles to Justin Gaethje, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Rafael Fizievbest kickboxing 94 · weakest bjj 72
- Eddie Alvarezbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 78
- Dan Hookerbest kickboxing 90 · weakest wrestling 78
- Michael Chandlerbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 76
- Lightweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Justin Gaethje's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Justin Gaethje into your build
Justin Gaethje enters the pool on any spin landing on lightweight between 2016 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Justin Gaethje is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Justin Gaethje's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.