Justin Gaethje has made a bold request to the UFC after becoming the new lightweight champion at UFC Freedom 250. The American star shocked fans around the world when he defeated Ilia Topuria and handed the Spanish-Georgian fighter the first loss of his professional MMA career. Gaethje delivered one of the best performances of his career and captured the lightweight title on one of the biggest stages in the sport.The victory added another major achievement to Gaethje’s impressive UFC run. Known for his exciting fighting style, “The Highlight” already holds the UFC record for the most post-fight bonus awards. Following his championship win, Gaethje appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast and explained why he believes the UFC should reward him for the impact he has already made inside the Octagon. However, his preferred reward is not simply a larger paycheck for future fights.
Justin Gaethje says UFC should reward his past achievements with company equity
Speaking on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Justin Gaethje argued that his contributions to the UFC deserve greater recognition. He pointed to appearances at major events such as UFC 300, UFC 324, and UFC Freedom 250. According to the champion, the promotion repeatedly trusted him to deliver memorable moments when it needed them most, and he believes he consistently met those expectations.Gaethje explained that his request is not based on what he may accomplish in the future. Instead, he feels he should be rewarded for what he has already done throughout his UFC career. He also noted that even during his knockout loss at UFC 300, he remained one of the most talked-about fighters from the event. The fight generated significant attention online and became one of the biggest highlights of the card.When Rogan suggested that Gaethje might be seeking a larger purse for his next bout, the champion clarified that money from a single fight was not his primary goal. Instead, he said he would like the UFC to create an opportunity that provides long-term financial security. Gaethje suggested that receiving equity in a UFC-related company would allow him to build passive income beyond his fighting career.The lightweight champion also revealed that he rarely asks the UFC for special treatment. While his management team may discuss business matters with the promotion, Gaethje said he prefers to be recognized without having to make requests himself. His comments come after previous reports that both he and manager Ali Abdelaziz were prepared to consider retirement if Gaethje was overlooked in the lightweight title picture. Now holding the championship, Gaethje is once again making headlines with his latest request to the UFC.
