Jeff Swinger-Imagn Images

Justin Gaethje urges new rule after UFC 323 controversy he says ‘favours the criminal’

Originally posted on HITC | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Dec 7, 2025 2:36 PM ET

Justin Gaethje was not thrilled with the outcome of one fight at UFC 323.

The popular lightweight was among the many tuned in as the UFC’s pay-per-view era came to a close at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night.

There was no shortage of storylines throughout the card, including Petr Yan’s upset win over Merab Dvalishvili, Joshua Van’s flyweight title win after Alexandre Pantoja suffered a gruesome injury, and Henry Cejudo calling time on his career.

But Gaethje had his eye on an earlier bout and voiced his frustration online after a preliminary fighter picked up a win despite having missed weight earlier in the week.

Justin Gaethje pushes for harsher penalties after UFC 323 weight miss

The early prelims at UFC 323 saw Marvin Vettori’s struggles continue. The Italian dropped his fourth straight fight and fifth in six outings, casting doubt over his future in the promotion.

Despite the result, Gaethje felt Vettori was hard done by in one respect.

Brunno Ferreira claimed a decision win over Vettori but had already been fined 20 percent of his purse after coming in three pounds overweight at Friday’s weigh-ins.

Gaethje does not think that figure does enough to address the issue, feeling fighters who do not make weight still gain too much of an edge even with the current penalty system.

‘The Highlight’ posted on X: “This 20% bs gotta change. Clearly not big enough of a deterrent. 50% or not fight. The math favours the criminal. #ufc323”

This 20% bs gotta change. Clearly not big enough of a deterrent. 50% or not fight. The math favors the criminal. #ufc323
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) December 7, 2025