The Impressive WSOF Record of UFC Lightweight Justin Gaethje

Every time Justin Gaethje fights, he lives up to his moniker, ‘The Highlight.’ The former interim UFC lightweight champion is one of the most exciting fighters on the current roster. Gaethje has fought the best in his division and given several bonus-winning performances.

Although the 34-year-old is yet to taste UFC gold, he was an undefeated champion in his WSOF days. It was Gaethje’s destructive run in WSOF that attracted the UFC’s attention before signing him in 2017.

Justin Gaethje WSOF records

Justin Gaethje holds a prestigious 10-0 record in the World Series of Fighting. Eight of those wins came via knockouts, and one via submission. Gaethje joined the promotion on a 7-0 record and exited with a 17-0 record. He made his debut in March 2013 against Gesias Cavalcante at WSOF 2 and won via doctor’s stoppage in round one. Thereafter, Gaethje went on an unbeaten streak along whose way secured the World Series of Fighting lightweight championship.

In his second WSOF bout, Gaethje fought Brian Cobb at WSOF 3 in June 2013 and beat him via a TKO from leg kicks. In his third outing at WSOF 6 in October 2013, he knocked out Dan Lauzon in the second round. Propelled by these wins, Gaethje fought Richard Patishnock for the inaugural WSOF lightweight championship in January 2014. He dispensed with Patishnock in the first round via a TKO to kick-start his undefeated three-year WSOF title reign.

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In his first title defense, a 25-year-old Gaethje beat the previously undefeated Nick Newell at WSOF 11 in July 2014 and extended his undefeated record to 12-0. In his second title defense in November 2014, he fought UFC veteran Melvin Guillard.

The fight went down at WSOF 15 and won via a split decision. Gaethje defended the title four more times. He fought Luis Palomino twice, Brian Foster, and Luiz Firmino between 2015 and 2016. All fights ended in stoppage wins for ‘the highlight.’

When did Justin Gaethje develop his interest in WSOF?

Gaethje amassed a 7-0 MMA record prior to joining WSOF. An important reason behind this impressive feat was his background in collegiate wrestling. He was the first All-American in the history of Northern Colorado University, a feat he achieved in 2010.

Gaethje found success in regional MMA circuits. In his pro debut at Ring of Fire (ROF) 41, he fought Kevin Croom and won via slam KO in 41 seconds. In his sixth pro fight, he fought UFC veteran Drew Fickett and won via a 12-second knockout. Gaethje made his 7-0 streak from Arizona and Colorado regional circuits, ROF, and other regional events. It was after this regional run that he joined WSOF.

Highlights from WSOF

It would be hard to pick a few highlights from a man whose entire career is a highlight reel. That is exactly what Gaethje did at WSOF. His leg kick TKO of Brian Foster is still one of the most brutal Gaethje finishes to date.

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Gaethje’s title defense against Nick Newell made him the first man to beat Newell. He fought Luis Palomino twice in 2015. In those back-to-back fights, Gaethje finished Palomino both times via TKO.

Honors and Awards

While Gaethje holds a reputation in the UFC for his many ‘Fight of the Night’ and ‘Performance of the Night’ bonuses, he used to do it in WSOF in the form of win bonuses. For his first four wins, Gaethje was awarded a $6,ooo win bonus. After the title fight win, it was $10 K for his first defense. Thereafter, it was $20 K, $30 K, $50 K, $60 K and $70 K for the subsequent title defenses.