UFC Lightweight Title Bout
Justin Gaethje
“The Highlight”
- Record
- 11-5-0
- Stance
- Orthodox
- Height
- 5' 11"
- Reach
- 70"
- Weight
- 155 lbs.
- Born
- Nov 14, 1988
Career snapshot
- Fights
- 16
- Minutes
- 202.2
- Knockdowns
- 9
- Sig. accuracy
- 57.6%
- Sig. landed / 15
- 94.3
- Absorbed / 15
- —
- TD accuracy
- 26.7%
- TD defense
- —
- Sub attempts
- 0
- Control / 15
- 0:59
Where this career sits
- SLpM
- 6.29
- KD / 15
- 0.67
- CTRL / 15
- 0:59
Sig. strikes landed per minute
97th percentile
382 peers
Knockdowns per 15 minutes
89th percentile
382 peers
Control time per 15 minutes
21st percentile
382 peers
SLpM leads this profile at the 97th percentile of Lightweight peers (6.29). The path in this sample uses striking volume and knockdown rate together. CTRL / 15 is the quieter tool, at the 21st percentile.
SLpM is significant strikes landed per minute. KD/15 is knockdowns per 15 minutes. CTRL/15 is control time per 15 minutes. Each rate uses career totals when the rollup has no per-minute column. Peers are the 382 Lightweight fighters with at least 10 minutes on the career offense rollup. The roster has no active flag and no gender column, so everyone listed at this weight is included.
Striking
Offense
- Head66.2%
- Body10.9%
- Leg22.9%
- Distance83.8%
- Clinch12.7%
- Ground3.5%
Defense
- Head55.5%
- Body31.6%
- Leg12.9%
- Distance89.1%
- Clinch9.6%
- Ground1.4%
Grappling
For
Against
Round striking
Average significant strikes for each round number in the UFC sample.
Offense
Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Defense
Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Round grappling
Average takedowns and control time for each round number.
Offense
Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Average control time in that round.
- Control
Defense
Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
By round
The same averages as the charts, in a table.
| Round | Fights | Sig. | Acc. | Abs. | Str. def | TD | TD acc | TD faced | TD def | Ctrl | Ctrl against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 16 | 27.4/49.1 | 55.9% | 30.3/64.4 | 53.0% | 0/0.3 | 0.0% | 0.3/0.6 | 60.0% | 0:09 | 0:09 |
| R2 | 12 | 29.2/50.5 | 57.8% | 31.8/63.5 | 50.0% | 0.2/0.3 | 51.5% | 0.1/0.7 | 87.5% | 0:23 | 0:13 |
| R3 | 9 | 31.2/51.7 | 60.4% | 30.8/62.3 | 50.6% | 0.1/0.4 | 25.0% | 0.2/0.7 | 66.7% | 0:20 | 0:02 |
| R4 | 5 | 24/42.2 | 56.9% | 28.2/49 | 42.4% | 0.2/0.4 | 50.0% | 0.2/0.6 | 66.7% | 0:26 | 0:05 |
| R5 | 3 | 27/46.7 | 57.9% | 32.3/67.3 | 52.0% | 0/0 | — | 0/1 | 100.0% | 0:22 | 0:16 |
Leg kicks
Landed and attempted leg kicks from the round rows, summed by round number. Share is of significant strikes in that same sample. Defense is the opponent’s leg strikes in the same round. Per 15 divides the leg-kick total by career minutes.
- Landed / att
- 291/329
- Accuracy
- 88.4%
- Share of sig.
- 22.9%
- Per round
- 6.5
- Per 15
- 21.6
- Leg defense
- 14.0%
Summed for each round number.
- Landed
- Attempted
| Round | Sample | Landed | Att | Acc | Share | Against | Def |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 16 | 138 | 161 | 85.7% | 31.4% | 56/65 | 13.8% |
| R2 | 12 | 68 | 73 | 93.2% | 19.4% | 49/55 | 10.9% |
| R3 | 9 | 55 | 63 | 87.3% | 19.6% | 35/37 | 5.4% |
| R4 | 5 | 19 | 19 | 100.0% | 15.8% | 20/23 | 13.0% |
| R5 | 3 | 11 | 13 | 84.6% | 13.6% | 18/27 | 33.3% |
By fight
| Fight | Leg | Acc | Against |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilia TopuriaUFC Freedom 250 · Jun 14, 2026 | 4/5 | 80.0% | 5/5 |
| Paddy PimblettUFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett · Jan 24, 2026 | 9/11 | 81.8% | 25/27 |
| Rafael FizievUFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev · Mar 8, 2025 | 7/8 | 87.5% | 5/6 |
| Max HollowayUFC 300: Pereira vs. Hill · Apr 13, 2024 | 33/36 | 91.7% | 57/69 |
| Dustin PoirierUFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 · Jul 29, 2023 | 11/11 | 100.0% | 2/2 |
| Rafael FizievUFC 286: Edwards vs. Usman 3 · Mar 18, 2023 | 8/14 | 57.1% | 7/8 |
| Charles OliveiraUFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje · May 7, 2022 | 5/8 | 62.5% | 1/2 |
| Michael ChandlerUFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2 · Nov 6, 2021 | 26/28 | 92.9% | 11/11 |
Takedowns by round
Career takedown attempts and landed, summed for each round number. Rounds with shots stay bright. Rounds with no shots are muted. Faced is the opponent’s attempts in that round.
Only rounds where this fighter shot a takedown. Landed sits against attempts.
- Landed
- Attempted
| Round | Sample | TD | Acc | Faced | TD def | Shots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 16 | 0/5 | 0.0% | 4/10 | 60.0% | Shots |
| R2 | 12 | 2/4 | 50.0% | 1/8 | 87.5% | Shots |
| R3 | 9 | 1/4 | 25.0% | 2/6 | 66.7% | Shots |
| R4 | 5 | 1/2 | 50.0% | 1/3 | 66.7% | Shots |
| R5 | 3 | 0/0 | — | 0/3 | 100.0% | Faced |
Fight log
Result and method stay on the list. Significant strikes, takedowns, and control are filled in for and against when the round rows or the recent-fight view have them. Open a bout for its rounds.
Win vs Ilia Topuria
KO/TKO · Round 4 · 5:00
UFC Freedom 250Jun 14, 2026
KD 0
Sig 91/192 for · 97/162 against
TD 0/5 for · 1/3 against
Ctrl 1:32 for · 2:32 against
Targets head 79 · body 8 · leg 4
Against head 55 · body 37 · leg 5
Position distance 73 · clinch 15 · ground 3
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Win vs Paddy Pimblett
Decision - Unanimous · Round 5 · 5:00
UFC 324: Gaethje vs. PimblettJan 24, 2026
KD 2
Sig 144/254 for · 156/311 against
TD 3/3 for · 0/5 against
Ctrl 5:55 for · 0:48 against
Targets head 120 · body 15 · leg 9
Against head 83 · body 48 · leg 25
Position distance 102 · clinch 20 · ground 22
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Win vs Rafael Fiziev
Decision - Unanimous · Round 3 · 5:00
UFC 313: Pereira vs. AnkalaevMar 8, 2025
KD 1
Sig 72/134 for · 68/119 against
TD 0/3 for · 2/2 against
Ctrl 1:32 for · 0:40 against
Targets head 56 · body 9 · leg 7
Against head 20 · body 43 · leg 5
Position distance 41 · clinch 26 · ground 5
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Loss vs Max Holloway
KO/TKO · Round 5 · 4:59
UFC 300: Pereira vs. HillApr 13, 2024
KD 0
Sig 103/199 for · 181/309 against
TD 0/0 for · 0/0 against
Ctrl 0:00 for · 0:00 against
Targets head 44 · body 26 · leg 33
Against head 62 · body 62 · leg 57
Position distance 103 · clinch 0 · ground 0
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Win vs Dustin Poirier
KO/TKO · Round 2 · 1:00
UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2Jul 29, 2023
KD 1
Sig 41/66 for · 27/52 against
TD 0/0 for · 0/0 against
Ctrl 0:01 for · 0:00 against
Targets head 23 · body 7 · leg 11
Against head 21 · body 4 · leg 2
Position distance 38 · clinch 2 · ground 1
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Win vs Rafael Fiziev
Decision - Majority · Round 3 · 5:00
UFC 286: Edwards vs. Usman 3Mar 18, 2023
KD 0
Sig 103/171 for · 97/169 against
TD 1/3 for · 0/0 against
Ctrl 0:05 for · 0:00 against
Targets head 81 · body 14 · leg 8
Against head 38 · body 52 · leg 7
Position distance 84 · clinch 19 · ground 0
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Loss vs Charles Oliveira
Submission · Round 1 · 3:22
UFC 274: Oliveira vs. GaethjeMay 7, 2022
KD 1
Sig 21/33 for · 30/47 against
TD 0/0 for · 0/1 against
Ctrl 0:13 for · 0:39 against
Targets head 13 · body 3 · leg 5
Against head 18 · body 11 · leg 1
Position distance 15 · clinch 6 · ground 0
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Win vs Michael Chandler
Decision - Unanimous · Round 3 · 5:00
UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2Nov 6, 2021
KD 1
Sig 116/183 for · 103/245 against
TD 0/0 for · 1/6 against
Ctrl 1:37 for · 0:03 against
Targets head 83 · body 7 · leg 26
Against head 64 · body 28 · leg 11
Position distance 102 · clinch 5 · ground 9
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Loss vs Khabib Nurmagomedov
Submission · Round 2 · 1:34
UFC 254: Khabib vs. GaethjeOct 24, 2020
KD 0
Sig 29/45 for · 26/80 against
TD 0/0 for · 2/3 against
Ctrl 0:14 for · 0:55 against
Targets head 12 · body 2 · leg 15
Against head 18 · body 7 · leg 1
Position distance 29 · clinch 0 · ground 0
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Win vs Tony Ferguson
KO/TKO · Round 5 · 3:39
UFC 249: Ferguson vs. GaethjeMay 9, 2020
KD 0
Sig 143/197 for · 136/296 against
TD 0/0 for · 0/0 against
Ctrl 0:00 for · 0:00 against
Targets head 100 · body 13 · leg 30
Against head 64 · body 36 · leg 36
Position distance 143 · clinch 0 · ground 0
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Win vs Donald Cerrone
KO/TKO · Round 1 · 4:18
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. GaethjeSep 14, 2019
KD 1
Sig 40/61 for · 17/52 against
TD 0/0 for · 0/0 against
Ctrl 0:04 for · 0:00 against
Targets head 27 · body 0 · leg 13
Against head 12 · body 4 · leg 1
Position distance 36 · clinch 2 · ground 2
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Win vs Edson Barboza
KO/TKO · Round 1 · 2:30
UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. GaethjeMar 30, 2019
KD 1
Sig 20/35 for · 13/32 against
TD 0/0 for · 0/0 against
Ctrl 0:44 for · 0:00 against
Targets head 13 · body 2 · leg 5
Against head 6 · body 3 · leg 4
Position distance 12 · clinch 8 · ground 0
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Win vs James Vick
KO/TKO · Round 1 · 1:27
UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. VickAug 25, 2018
KD 1
Sig 7/15 for · 10/20 against
TD 0/0 for · 0/0 against
Ctrl 0:04 for · 0:00 against
Targets head 3 · body 2 · leg 2
Against head 3 · body 5 · leg 2
Position distance 6 · clinch 0 · ground 1
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Loss vs Dustin Poirier
KO/TKO · Round 4 · 0:33
UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. GaethjeApr 14, 2018
KD 0
Sig 115/212 for · 174/351 against
TD 0/0 for · 0/5 against
Ctrl 1:04 for · 0:06 against
Targets head 56 · body 9 · leg 50
Against head 142 · body 21 · leg 11
Position distance 98 · clinch 17 · ground 0
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Loss vs Eddie Alvarez
KO/TKO · Round 3 · 3:59
UFC 218: Holloway vs. Aldo 2Dec 2, 2017
KD 0
Sig 122/237 for · 155/356 against
TD 0/1 for · 1/2 against
Ctrl 0:06 for · 0:20 against
Targets head 69 · body 16 · leg 37
Against head 113 · body 36 · leg 6
Position distance 106 · clinch 15 · ground 1
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against
Win vs Michael Johnson
KO/TKO · Round 2 · 4:48
The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption FinaleJul 7, 2017
KD 0
Sig 104/174 for · 91/200 against
TD 0/0 for · 1/3 against
Ctrl 0:06 for · 0:34 against
Targets head 62 · body 6 · leg 36
Against head 47 · body 40 · leg 4
Position distance 77 · clinch 27 · ground 0
Rounds in this fight
Significant strikes Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Takedowns Landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Landed
- Attempted
Control Average control time in that round.
- Control
Strikes absorbed Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Takedowns faced Opponent landed and attempted, averaged for that round.
- Absorbed
- Faced
Control conceded Average time the opponent controlled that round.
- Control against