Newly crowned undisputed lightweight champion Justin Gaethje is pushing for greater compensation from the UFC following his title-winning performance at UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House.
Gaethje stopped Ilia Topuria after Round 4 to claim the belt and collected a combined $825,000 in Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses, but says his pay should better reflect what he has already delivered for the promotion.
"I deserve to be compensated for what I have done, not for what I'm going to do. I shouldn't have to fight next to be compensated," Gaethje said, pointing to his recent run at major events.
"UFC 300, UFC 324 and now (UFC Freedom 250) – those are the three stages that the UFC needed somebody to do something phenomenal, and they picked me every single time. And I delivered. I wasn't the main event at UFC 300 – co-main event, still stole the show even though I lost. And so I think I need to be compensated for what I've done."
Gaethje, who previously faced Max Holloway in the co-headliner of UFC 300 and dominated Paddy Pimblett in the UFC 324 main event on Paramount+, is also calling for a different kind of reward.
"I'm not talking about for the next fight. I'm talking about the UFC should make a company and give me equity in that company, so I can build passive income," he said, adding that he has rarely asked for special treatment: "... I've never been the guy that asks for things."
