Justin Gaethje is hoping to ride his success at UFC Lincoln into a new deal with the UFC, and is looking for his money up front.
Lincoln, NB — After a couple of thrilling but ultimately losing efforts, Justin Gaethje is back in the win column after UFC Lincoln. And once again, it was a highlight reel finish for ‘The Highlight.’ Gaethje felled the tallest threat in the lightweight division, James Vick, in little more than a minute. And once again, it was a bonus winning effort.
Asked what else he might get from the win on Saturday, Gaethje was blunt. “It should get me a business meeting with the UFC, that’s what it should get me.”
“The way I put it all on the line, I need all my money up front.”
So yes, he’s hoping to negotiate a new deal with the UFC. “It’s four fights right now, so yeah we’ll see what happens, he said, adding that “I want to fight the best. I’m happy with the UFC, I’m not unhappy with them at all. But you know, the way I put it all on the line, I need all my money up front. And that’s how it should work for me, for people like me.”
“They should use me as an example: if you want all your money, you fight like Justin Gaethje,” he suggested. It’s hard to argue against him. After all, in four fights, Justin Gaethje has five bonuses and a Fight of the Year. He’s in the running for Fight of the Year again this year as well. So, yeah. UFC, pay the man.
And on the subject of opponent James Vick’s trash talk, well — turns out Homer Simpson has a little bit of power.
“We’ve seen it multiple times, I don’t even want to name names,” Gaethje said, “but we’ll name James Vick. It’s going to be hard for him to look himself in the mirror tomorrow, and that was my plan. I don’t want him to look himself in the mirror tomorrow. He’s not going to.”
As for future opponents? Forget it. Gaethje is looking for some time off after fighting four times in thirteen months, noting he hasn’t bought a house, never been to Hawaii or Jamaica, and he’s looking for a break.
“Not a long break,” however.
Watch the full post-fight media scrum from UFC Lincoln with Justin Gaethje above.
