Justin Gaethje believes UFC tried to get rid of him before title fight

Justin Gaethje has publicly claimed that the UFC attempted to push him out of the organization ahead of his upcoming lightweight title fight at UFC White House on June 14.

The 37-year-old American, who fights out of Genesis Training Center, alleged that the promotion's treatment of him in the lead-up to the championship bout was designed to ease him out rather than support his path to the fight. Gaethje made the remarks in an interview, stopping short of elaborating on the full details of the situation but making clear he felt the UFC worked against him rather than with him.

Gaethje holds a 28-5-0 professional record and currently carries the lightweight title into the event. Known as "The Highlight," the orthodox striker from the United States is one of the most relentless pressure fighters the division has produced. His numbers reflect that reputation: he lands 6.48 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, figures that place him among the elite at 155 pounds. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach, he has built his career on forward-moving aggression and durability.

Why it matters

• Gaethje is the reigning lightweight champion, meaning any friction with UFC management carries real divisional weight heading into a title defense.
• His public comments suggest a strained relationship with the promotion at a critical moment before a championship fight.
• If the tension is genuine, it raises questions about his contractual future and whether UFC White House could be his final bout under current terms.

The timing of the claim is notable. With fewer than three weeks before the event, Gaethje's willingness to speak openly about what he perceives as internal opposition signals that whatever occurred between him and the promotion has left a lasting impression on the champion.