The quality of the UFC’s already talent-laden lightweight division has cranked up a notch with the news that Justin Gaethje, the former World Series of Fighting 155-pound champion, has been added to its ranks.
Gaethje, 28, has reigned as the World Series of Fighting’s lightweight champion for three years and is unbeaten in 17 fights. He won his WSOF title in 2014 with a TKO of Richard Patishnock and went on to defend it against notable names such as Nick Newell, Melvin Guillard, Luis Palomino, Brian Foster and, most recently, Luiz Firmino.
Though his move to the UFC has yet to be officially announced, the Arvado, Colorado-native seemingly couldn’t contain his excitement and decided to post news of the move on Thursday.
“Thank you for all the support to this point, I signed my contract with the UFC yesterday,” he wrote.
“It feels good to know the sacrifices my family and I have made since starting wrestling at four years old have led us to these great endeavors. My parents spent their hard earned money, love, and energy to ensure I got the chance to put this hard work to fruition and I’ll be damned if I don’t give it 100 percent.
“Now I get a chance to fight and be the best in the world at something. It won’t last long and I may or may not be successful, but I do know I would not be here without having parents which showed me, through their actions, that hard work is not easy; who loved and believed in me every day.”
