Justin Gaethje, the veteran UFC lightweight contender, has made explosive claims that his compensation has seen no increase whatsoever despite the mixed martial arts promotion's monumental new broadcast partnership with Paramount+, valued at a staggering $7.7 billion.
Headlining the New Era for No Extra Pay
This Saturday night, Gaethje is scheduled to headline the very first UFC event of the Paramount+ era, facing the undefeated British prospect Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship. The bout will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, yet the American fighter insists the landmark media deal has not translated to improved financial terms for the athletes.
"I hear [UFC champion-turned commentator] Daniel Cormier saying everybody is going to get paid more on this card," Gaethje stated during Wednesday's media day. "I'm not getting $1 more than I would have if this deal did not happen."
A History of Entertainment Without Proportional Reward
Gaethje, aged 37, is widely regarded as one of the UFC's most consistently thrilling performers, having been involved in numerous iconic knockout victories and defeats throughout his career. However, he argues that his financial rewards have not matched his entertainment value or the risks taken.
The fighter provided a stark illustration of this disparity, highlighting his bonus earnings. "To have 14 bonuses and not equal up to $1m is not right," Gaethje asserted. "It's not right. It should be a lot more than that, and I should have had opportunities to do smarter things with my money, but I don't and I haven't."
Controversial Path to Another Title Opportunity
Gaethje's upcoming title shot arrives following a period of uncertainty. In 2025, he threatened retirement from mixed martial arts if not granted a championship opportunity in his next contest. His wish was granted in December, with the announcement of this interim title fight against Liverpool's Pimblett, while the reigning undisputed champion Ilia Topuria takes a temporary hiatus from competition.
This is not Gaethje's first pursuit of UFC gold. He previously held the interim lightweight title in 2020, ultimately failing to unify the belts in a submission loss to the then-dominant champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Another undisputed title bid ended similarly in 2022, with a submission defeat to Charles Oliveira.
Many within the fanbase have questioned the merit of Gaethje receiving another title shot, citing his previous opportunities and a mixed recent record. His most recent outing was a decision victory over Rafael Fiziev in March 2025, which followed a devastating last-second knockout loss to Max Holloway in a fight where Holloway, moving up from featherweight, largely dominated.
Pimblett's Unbeaten Run Under Scrutiny
Standing across the octagon from Gaethje will be Paddy Pimblett, who maintains an unblemished record in the UFC. However, the calibre of his opposition has been a persistent topic of debate among observers. His most recent win came via TKO against former Bellator champion Michael Chandler in April, though Chandler entered that bout with a record of 1-4 in his preceding five fights.
Despite the surrounding narratives regarding pay and pedigree, the matchup between the hard-hitting Gaethje and the charismatic Pimblett promises to be a highly entertaining contest. A victory for the British fighter would likely set the stage for a major grudge match with his bitter rival, the reigning champion Ilia Topuria, adding further stakes to an already significant event.
The controversy over fighter remuneration, reignited by Gaethje's candid comments, casts a long shadow over the UFC's new lucrative broadcast era, highlighting the ongoing tension between the promotion's commercial success and the financial compensation of its competing athletes.
