‘This is who I am’: The Last Dance of UFC’s Most Violent Man and bittersweet $1m reality

Justin Gaethje certainly owns more golf shirts than you’d expect of a fella dubbed the most violent man in the world’s most violent sport.

Collecting scalps? Maybe an earlobe necklace?

Yeah, all of that seems feasible for a real life American Psycho.

Yet instead … well, we’re discussing polos.

“Although how many I’ve got? No idea,” Gaethje cackles of this link to his bizarre double life.

UFC 324: Gaethje vs Pimblett | SUN 25 JAN 1PM AEDT | Justin Gaethje faces Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

And one which sees this longtime UFC lightweight star forever immersed in either the chaotic pursuit that is cage fighting, or out on the links off Bear Creek Country Club — quietly refining a golf game now strong enough to boast a handicap of 6.

Which is why down in the basement of his Arizona home, Gaethje has a practice net erected over by a treadmill.

“Which allows me to take 20 shots before every run,” he says, “and another 20 afterwards”.

Best golfer in the UFC?

Maybe.

Which again, is a wonderful twist on the life of this marauder who has not only spent the past 15 years fighting professionally, or the past nine creating UFC highlights, but now seven straight years carrying Joe Rogan’s most famous of tagline: The most violent man in the world’s most violent sport.

Elsewhere, UFC commentator Jon Anik also has his phrase Gaethje.

Your favourite fighter’s favourite fighter.

Which likely isn’t wrong, either.

And proved by the Lamborghini Urus now parked outside the home of this fighter who has held the interim UFC lightweight title, and also Baddest Motherf***er crown.

Or maybe you look at the house itself.

Perhaps even Gaethje’s snowboarding business up in Colorado.

Understanding all of it, and the Lambo, have been bought with some $1 million in bonuses this man has made being a living, breathing human highlight reel.

In all his 14 Octagon fights, Gaethje has walked away with UFC Performance bonuses.

An incredible feat that has continued not only through him starching Dustin Poirier, or finishing Tony Ferguson and Cowboy Cerrone within months, but also being submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov, then Charles Oliviera, and famously KO’d by Max Holloway at UFC 300.

Which by his own admission, has been some career.

And some life.

Even if, ironically, it comes decked out in plaid polos.

“And enough to cover any type of golfing trip,” Gaethje cackles of his extensive wardrobe. “Same as I’ve got them for any type of wedding, even any funeral.”

Which ironically, is also where plenty think Gaethje is going this weekend at UFC 324, right?

Understanding that after so many years entertaining us in his blood, and the claret of others, ‘The Highlight’ is now being whispered for his last walk.

At least, that is how many fans — and even perhaps you — see Sunday’s showdown against undefeated Irishman Paddy Pimblett.

Indeed, you could even argue this is why Gaethje is here.

With Pimblett, now a UFC poster boy in every sense, looking to further cement his rise and rise by killing off a legend.

Especially given Gaethje isn’t only now 37, but boasting the type of wear that comes with 15 years immersed in violence.

Of course, this is how it’s always gone in the fight game, too.

Especially the UFC.

Where ageing greats aren’t so much forced on the young, as fed to them.

Only problem is, Gaethje isn’t ready to go.

Or not yet.

“And this isn’t the first time for this, either,” he grins, reminding Fox Sports Australia how the UFC previously tried the same on him with Kazakhstan’s Rafael Fiziev.

A fighter who since 2023 he has challenged – and beaten – twice.

“And now,” he continues, “it’s Paddy wanting into the top ranks.

“He’s already got through Michael Chandler, too. So I guess it’s up to me to keep him out a little longer.”

Importantly for Gaethje too, this is about more than regaining the interim lightweight strap again up for grabs Sunday, or pursuing a showdown against the division’s currently sidelined king, Ilia Topuria.

Put simply, Gaethje wants to reaffirm his own crown.

That same one Rogan anointed him with way back in 2019, and following an incredible finish against Edson Barboza.

Asked about having the ‘Most Violent’ mantle taken from him — just like happens with everything in the fight game — and Gaethje laughs: “Well, there are guys trying …”

But therein, too, lies the twist to what got him said moniker in the first place.

“I don’t have to try,” he smiles, “because it’s who I am.

“You see these young kids in MMA now and they’re training all the disciplines from such a young age.

“But the risks you have to take to accomplish what I have? That’s something no coach will ever tell his young fighter to do.

“And most people wouldn’t make the choice anyway.

“I love the adrenalin, the excitement.

“This is who I am.”

Soon after, Gaethje continues: “For some reason, I’m here.

“I was a wrestler at college, getting myself an education, when this sport chose me.

“Starting out in the amateurs, I won my first 25 fights and it became a case of ‘OK, this is what I’m doing then’.”

So as for his thoughts on Rogan gifting him the title?

“I respect Joe a lot,” Gaethje says.

“When I first started watching the sport, he was already a commentator.

“He’s been with the UFC since the early 2000s, so back when I was in seventh or eighth grade, [laughs] although I was actually watching him on Fear Factor before that.

“And the title he gave me, yeah, I am proud of that.

“This is absolutely a violent sport we’re in.

“And the fact I am the most violent guy, it means I know what I’m doing.

“I know what this sport is …”

Yet still in the eyes of many, Gaethje isn’t so much entering the T-Mobile Arena this Sunday as walking the Green Mile.

Which carries its own type of irony against an Irishman.

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But The Highlight has little time for his doubters.

Same deal those suggesting that, given he is already speaking of life after the UFC, he cannot maintain the same steely focus which has for so long been his signature.

Asked about this criticism in particular, and Gaethje says: “So many people talk without actually knowing what they’re talking about.

“Yes, everyone can have an opinion. But none of these guys are willing to risk what I risk.

“Or risk what Paddy is risking.

“Nobody wants to walk into the fire these days.

“Everyone wants to be safe.

“We even call people cool now when they take the safe route.

“But that’s just not how I live.

“And that’s why the people with these opinions, I feel sorry for them.

“Because if they even understood the discipline required to achieve this, they’d never have the outlandish opinions they do.

“But they just don’t know.”

But Gaethje?

Yeah, he knows.

A truth proved by, say, those nine UFC bonuses won across his first seven fights.

“Which I don’t think will ever be matched,” he shrugs. “Same as for 10 of my 14 UFC fights, I’ve also been the underdog …”

Just as he is again Sunday.

Elsewhere, Gaethje has also spoken previously with Fox Sports Australia of making more money from UFC bonuses than “I ever thought I’d make in my life”.

“So I don’t waste it,” he stressed two years ago, as we sat chatting before UFC 300.

“I’ve tried to make the money work for me so that when I’m finished fighting, I don’t have to get a job.

“I’ve already bought a house, invested in some ski and snowboard shops in Colorado.

“There was a couple that had owned the store for 70 years and wanted to keep it in the community … I’ve had the opportunity to purchase it which I’m super excited about.”

UFC 324: Gaethje vs Pimblett | SUN 25 JAN 1PM AEDT | Justin Gaethje faces Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

However, speaking at this week’s UFC 324 media day, Gaethje also stressed his record run of bonuses should have earned him more, especially given, in total, he hasn’t cracked the $1M in US dollars.

“Oh, man, to have 14 bonuses and not equal up to $1 million, it’s not right,” he said.

“It’s not right.

“It should be a lot more than that.

“And I should’ve had opportunities to do smarter things with my money, but I haven’t.

“I hear Daniel Cormier saying everyone is going to get paid more on this card (because of the new Paramount broadcasting deal). I’m not getting one dollar more than I would’ve if this deal had not happened.

“But I’m happy to have achieved what I achieved.

“And the best thing I did was invest in a commercial property, and purchased a house in Arizona a mile away from my parent’s house which my sister is renting now.

“But really, just being able to help my family.

“Help my parents, my brothers and sisters, give them Christmas gifts I never would’ve been able to give, take them on vacations … that’s the smartest thing because you can never get that time back with your family.

“That’s huge for me.”

And as for his most extravagant bonus money buy?

“Lamborghini Urus,” he said of the ride which retails for about $360,000.

“I didn’t actually want a flashy car.

“What I wanted was the fastest SUV on the market.

“I was looking at Audis, BMWs, Mercedes … then I found out the Urus was faster, so I bought it.

“I didn’t buy it because it’s a Lamborghini.

“I bought it because it’s the fastest SUV on the planet.”

Which is little surprise given his fighting style.

“Although again, it’s not something I have to try to do,” Gaethje explained this week of his longstanding resume of chaos. “It’s just the way I compete”.

Pushed on his famed career, he grinned: “I’m the most consistent, most exciting guy that’s ever been in there … and I’ve done it in one of sport’s most exciting divisions.”

But if you reckon it’s been chaotic to watch, imagine living it.

“Oh, it’s all gone so fast,” Gaethje continues with a grin. “And honestly, I wish I’d been able to retain more.

“But, man, it’s just the way I am.

“I’ve been flying by the seat of my pants this whole time.”