“I've been telling people I need to start smiling to my opponents and shaking hands and just being nice, so then when the bell rings, I catch them off-guard, because I used to catch people off-guard, but everyone's ready now.”

American professional mixed martial artist, active since 2011

Justin Gaethje is an American professional mixed martial artist, active since 2011, who competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He has held the UFC Lightweight Championship and is known as the first fighter in UFC history to win the interim lightweight title twice. Before joining the UFC, Gaethje fought in the World Series of Fighting, where he became the promotion’s first and only Lightweight Champion. He also held the UFC’s "BMF" title. His public profile is built around high-level lightweight competition and a record of championship success across major organizations.