Justin Gaethje disputes claim he’s receiving more money courtesy of UFC-Paramount deal

UFC veteran Justin Gaethje has disputed the idea that he’s receiving more money courtesy of the UFC-Paramount deal.

This weekend, Justin Gaethje will step into the cage for what could be the final time in his mixed martial arts career. He is preparing to go head to head with Paddy Pimblett with the UFC interim lightweight championship on the line, and if he wins, he could set himself up for a blockbuster undisputed championship showdown with Ilia Topuria.

RELATED: Dustin Poirier shares prediction for Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324

If he loses, though, Gaethje himself has suggested that he could lay down the gloves and walk away from active competition. He has been involved in plenty of wars over the years and as such, he’s received plenty of bonuses. However, a lot of fans believe that he should have been paid a lot more given what he has put his body through in that time.

Following comments recently from Daniel Cormier suggesting that fighters are getting paid more because of the Paramount deal, Gaethje had the following to say.

Justin Gaethje speaks his truth about bonuses and fighter pay before #UFC324.

“To have 14 bonuses and not equal to $1 million – it’s not right. … I heard Daniel Cormier say that everyone is going to get paid more on this card. I’m not getting one dollar more.” pic.twitter.com/kkhc6IJUOY

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 21, 2026

Gaethje spills tea on UFC-Paramount deal

“Oh, man, to have 14 bonuses and not have it equal up to $1 million, it’s not right,” Gaethje told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “It should be a lot more than that. I should’ve had opportunities to do smarter things with my money, but I haven’t. To this day, I hear Daniel Cormier saying everybody is going to get paid more on this card. I’m not getting paid one dollar more than if this deal hadn’t happened.”

Quotes via MMA Junkie

What do you make of Justin’s comments? Let us know in the comments, BJPENN Nation!