Gaethje reveals both hands still hurting, knee hematoma lingering after title win

Justin Gaethje has revealed he is dealing with significant physical damage in the aftermath of his most recent fight, disclosing that both hands remain too painful to throw punches and that a knee hematoma has been bothering him across his last two bouts.

The 37-year-old American, who fights out of Genesis Training Center, is currently the lightweight champion sitting at 28 wins and 5 losses. Gaethje has built his reputation on an aggressive, high-output style — averaging 6.48 significant strikes landed per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate — and the physical toll of that approach appears to have caught up with him following a punishing 2025 campaign that already included two fights.

Despite the injuries, Gaethje expressed no urgency to return. He indicated he plans to enjoy holding the championship through the remainder of the year and will consult with family before making any decision about his next move. He also noted that having just delivered what he considers his best-ever performance against an opponent widely regarded as unbeatable gives him a compelling reason to continue competing when the time is right.

Why it matters

• Gaethje has fought twice in 2025 and is now dealing with hand and knee issues, making an early return to the cage unlikely.
• The lightweight title picture will remain unsettled for the foreseeable future as the champion recovers and weighs his options.
• His self-described career-best performance raises the stakes of whatever title defense eventually follows, with the division watching closely.