Having previously captured two interim lightweight titles and the BMF belt, Gaethje’s journey to the undisputed championship is one of the most remarkable stories in UFC history. The win also reignited the debate over where ‘The Highlight’ ranks one of the greatest lightweights Have you ever seen the game? If you ask Kamaru Usman, the answer is obvious.
The former welterweight champion believes Gaethje has surpassed Khabib Nurmagomedov, BJ Penn, Charles Oliveira and even Islam Makhachev as the most decorated lightweight in UFC history. speaking on pound 4 pound podcast With Henry Cejudo, Usman said, “I’m going to go out on a limb and say it right now, the most decorated UFC lightweight.”
Usman was quick to clarify that he was not calling Gaethje the greatest lightweight of all time, but rather the most accomplished based on the totality of his accomplishments. He said, “I’m not saying he’s the best lightweight ever. I’m not saying he’s got the most wins. I’m not saying all that. I’m saying he’s the most decorated. What I mean to say is, Justin Gaethje has a title from a different organization (WSOF). He came in with the title. Not just a title, he had a title from a different organization, defended it multiple times, where he came away with that title. Came into the UFC undefeated.”
he adds, “Every fight he’s been in has got a bonus. Plus, the first two-time interim champion in UFC history. That’s two different belts, two different titles. Plus, let’s put a BMF title on top of that. And now, let’s put an undisputed belt on top of that. The most decorated lightweight we’ve ever seen.”
Also read: When can Ilya Topuria and Justin Gaethje return? UFC Freedom 250 medical suspension list released
Osman’s argument certainly has a lot of merit. Fans often forget that Gaethje made his UFC debut against the then-No. 5-ranked Michael Johnson in 2017. Since that night, he has exclusively faced ranked contenders, former champions or title challengers. His resume now includes wins over Ilya Topuria, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson and Donald Cerrone, while also including memorable fights against legends like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Max Holloway.
Few fighters in UFC history have consistently competed against such elite opposition. The statistics further strengthen Gaethje’s case. His seven knockout wins in UFC lightweight competition are tied for the third-most wins in divisional history, trailing only Drew Dober (11) and Dustin Poirier (9). In his professional career, 23 of his 28 wins have come by stoppage.
Additionally, Gaethje has earned an astonishing 17 post-fight bonuses in just 16 UFC appearances. Those 17 bonuses are the most earned by any fighter in the promotion since its debut in 2017 and the most ever recorded in UFC lightweight history. His 11 Fight of the Night awards are the most in company history, and he became the first fighter to earn Fight of the Night honors in four consecutive UFC bouts. Gaethje also became the first fighter in UFC history to receive multiple post-fight bonuses on three separate occasions. Now, With an undeniable light title Adding to his already amassed collection of accomplishments, Usman’s claim that Gaethje is the most decorated lightweight the sport has ever seen has become hard to refute.
<a href=