UFC signs arguably the most exciting fighter in MMA
Justin Gaethje signs with the UFC, calls out Tony Ferguson, Edson Barboza, Michael Johnson, Nate Diaz.
Former World Series of Fighting lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has signed with the UFC. ‘The Highlight’ is 17-0, with just two fights going to decision.
The announcement came via the fighter’s social network.
“Thank you for all the support to this point,” he wrote. “I signed my contract with the UFC yesterday. It feels good to know the sacrifices my family and I have made since starting wrestling at 4 yrs 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%. 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 everyday.”
Fighters coming to the UFC often have a period of adjustment. Shogun Rua won four in a row in PRIDE and then went 2-2 in the UFC, before winning the title. UFC co-matchmaker Sean Shelby oversees the lightweight division. Hopefully, he provides Gaethje a breaking in period, to adjust to the big leagues, before seeing where Gaethje finds his true depth.
For his part, the fighter is game for anyone.
If u fight me in the @UFC it's an almost automatic 50k @TonyFergusonXT @EdsonBarbozaJR @FollowTheMenace @NateDiaz209
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) May 4, 2017
The statement about a near-guaranteed performance bonus is factually correct.