Gaethje Reveals He Hasn't Touched UFC Title Paycheck

Justin Gaethje has not spent a cent of his UFC title-winning purse from his historic victory over Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250.

The lightweight champion detailed his financial evolution during an appearance with Demetrious Johnson, contrasting his current discipline with the rough early days when a banking error left him stranded in New York City with 80 cents to his name. Gaethje had received his first televised fight check in 2013 under the World Series of Fighting banner — $10,000 instead of the contracted $8,000 due to a payment mistake, per Sherdog. He took his family to New York to celebrate, but when he tried to withdraw cash the next day, the bank froze his account over the discrepancy.

From Broke Fighter To Disciplined Champion

"On Sunday, I went to the ATM, put it in and they froze my account and I had zero dollars in New York City until Monday morning," Gaethje told Johnson. "So that day was absolutely terrible. But then I thought I was rich for life, blew it in one month."

Gaethje said the cycle repeated itself multiple times in his early career. He spent almost nothing on material goods, burning through paychecks on food instead. Now, after capturing the lightweight strap in one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history, his approach has changed completely.

"My last paycheck, I haven't touched it," Gaethje said of his UFC Freedom 250 earnings.

Gaethje is expected to make his first title defense later this year, with multiple contenders campaigning for the next shot at the belt.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Justin Gaethje went from 80 cents to not touching his UFC title paycheck