Who is Justin Gaethje? Where Does Justin Gaethje Live? Is Justin Gaethje Married?
by Rubaditsha | Updated Jul 27, 2023
Who is Justin Gaethje?
Justin Ray Gaethje, also known as "The Highlight," is a professional mixed martial artist from the United States. He currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and holds the rank of #4 in the UFC Lightweight Division as of July 20, 2023.
Gaethje's journey in combat sports began early as he started wrestling at the young age of four. During his time at Safford High School, he achieved considerable success, becoming a two-time Arizona state wrestling champion. Later, he continued his wrestling career at the University of Northern Colorado, where he earned the distinction of being an NCAA Division I All-American.
While still in college, Gaethje ventured into amateur mixed martial arts (MMA), displaying his talent and passion for the sport. In 2011, he transitioned to the professional MMA circuit and, in 2013, joined the World Series of Fighting (WSOF). There, he made a significant impact by becoming the WSOF Lightweight Champion. Gaethje went on to defend his WSOF title successfully five times, showcasing his exceptional skills and tenacity inside the cage.
In 2017, Gaethje decided to take his career to the next level and joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the premier MMA organization globally. His aggressive and crowd-pleasing fighting style quickly earned him a devoted fan base. Within the UFC, Gaethje continued to showcase his prowess as a fighter and secured some impressive victories over high-caliber opponents.
Gaethje's accomplishments reached a pinnacle when he claimed the Interim UFC Lightweight Championship, solidifying his status as one of the top contenders in the division. His relentless fighting spirit and willingness to take on all challenges have made him a formidable force in the competitive world of MMA.
Born in Safford, Arizona, Gaethje's journey from being a young wrestler to becoming a top-ranked UFC fighter exemplifies his dedication, hard work, and passion for combat sports. His achievements in both wrestling and MMA have etched his name in the history of the sport and continue to inspire aspiring fighters worldwide.
Name
Justin Ray Gaethje
Born
November 14, 1988
Age
34
Birthplace
Safford, Arizona, U.S.
Nickname(s)
The Highlight
Height
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight
155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
Division
Lightweight
Fighting out of
Arvada, Colorado, United States
Teams
Grudge Training Center (2011–2016) Trainer
Trevor Wittman (2011–present)
Wrestling
NCAA Division I Wrestling
Genesis Training Center
Elevation Fight Team
Where Does Justin Gaethje Live?
Justin Ray Gaethje earned a bachelor's degree in Human Services from the University of Northern Colorado. He has expressed his desire to pursue social work, specifically with at-risk youth, showcasing his commitment to making a positive impact beyond the octagon.
Gaethje's surname has German origins, inherited from his German-American father, adding to his diverse heritage. In 2016, Gaethje underwent a photorefractive keratectomy to correct his eyesight. Prior to the surgery, his vision was severely impaired, with one eye measuring 20/60 and the other 20/200. He also suffered from nearsightedness and farsightedness, making it challenging for him to compete effectively in the past.
Notably, Gaethje participated in a rally for President in September 2020, alongside UFC President Dana White, fighters Colby Covington and Henry Cejudo, and manager Ali Abdelaziz. During the event, the President acknowledged the fighters. Gaethje commended Trump for his contributions to the early development of the UFC, crediting him as a significant factor in the promotion's success.
How Old is Justin Gaethje?
As of 2023, He is 34 years old. Born on November 14, 1988, in Safford, Arizona, Justin Ray Gaethje comes from a diverse family background. His mother, Carolina (née Espinoza), is of Mexican descent, hailing from Sonora, Mexico, while his father, John Ray Gaethje, has German roots.
Both of Gaethje's grandfathers worked as copper miners, and his paternal grandfather was also a boxer during his time in the United States Army. Gaethje's father, Ray, retired from his 36-year-long career as a copper miner in September 2019 at the Morenci mine.
The Gaethje family includes two sisters and an identical twin brother named Marcus John Gaethje, who also worked at the Morenci mine for almost a decade. At the age of 18, Gaethje himself worked at the Morenci mine during a summer, where he labored diligently for three months, often working seven days a week, 12 hours each day. Despite the demanding work, he only took one sick day, emphasizing his strong work ethic.
As he prepared to leave the mine to pursue a university education, some of his co-workers expressed doubt about his ability to succeed in college, suggesting that he would eventually return to the mine. However, these skeptical remarks only served as motivation for Gaethje to prove them wrong and strive for success in his chosen path.
This background showcases Gaethje's resilience, determination, and the strong work ethic instilled in him by his family's background in labor-intensive professions. These traits have undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping him as both a fighter and an individual dedicated to making the most of his opportunities.
Justin Gaethje Coach
Justin Gaethje's coach is Trevor Wittman. Wittman is a highly respected and accomplished coach in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). He is also the owner of ONX Sports, a training facility where Gaethje hones his skills and prepares for his fights.
Wittman has played a crucial role in Gaethje's career, guiding him through various training camps and fight preparations. As seen in the UFC 274 Countdown video package, Wittman is closely involved in Gaethje's training, overseeing his techniques, strategies, and overall development as a fighter.
The coach's expertise has been instrumental in Gaethje's success inside the octagon. Under Wittman's guidance, Gaethje has evolved into one of the top contenders in the UFC lightweight division. Wittman's coaching style emphasizes a well-rounded approach to MMA, focusing on striking, grappling, and overall fight IQ.
Throughout their time together, Wittman has provided Gaethje with valuable insights and adjustments to his fighting style, helping him to improve and adapt as he faces different opponents in the octagon.
In the past, Wittman has expressed his belief in Gaethje's skills and potential as a fighter. He even stated that Gaethje should have had the opportunity to compete for the UFC lightweight title before Michael Chandler. This showcases the coach's unwavering support and confidence in Gaethje's abilities.
Overall, Trevor Wittman's expertise and guidance have been pivotal in shaping Justin Gaethje into the formidable fighter he is today. Their coach-fighter relationship has proven to be a successful partnership, and together, they continue to pursue greatness in the world of MMA.
Justin Gaethje Girlfriend
Justin Gaethje, the MMA fighter known as "The Highlight," is in a relationship with Sophia Romana. The couple has chosen to keep their dating life relatively private, but some details have surfaced about Romana. Sophia Romana is a model and influencer with a following of around 18,000 on Instagram.
She pursued her education at Penn State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism. Romana has worked in the industry on both radio and TV, showcasing her skills and passion for media. The couple first connected on a dating platform and went on a few dates before deciding to formalize their relationship. However, the exact duration of their official partnership remains undisclosed.
While both Gaethje and Romana prefer to keep their personal lives out of the spotlight, fans occasionally catch glimpses of their relationship through social media. Despite their fame, they prioritize maintaining a level of privacy in their romantic affairs.
As of now, this is the extent of the information available regarding Justin Gaethje's girlfriend, Sophia Romana. Their decision to keep their relationship low-key allows them to focus on their respective careers and enjoy their time together away from the public eye.
Justin Gaethje Family
Justin Gaethje, the American professional mixed martial artist competing in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, comes from a diverse family background.
Justin Gaethje's parents are Carolina and John Ray Gaethje. His mother hails from Sonora, Mexico, making her of Mexican descent, while his father has German roots. Carolina worked as a postmaster, and John Ray Gaethje was a copper miner. Both of Justin's grandfathers were also copper miners, and interestingly, his paternal grandfather was a boxer during his service in the United States Army.
Justin Gaethje has a twin brother named Marcus John Gaethje. Marcus worked at the Morenci mine for nearly a decade, showcasing a family connection to the mining industry. The brothers share a strong bond as twins and have likely supported each other throughout their lives and respective careers.
Is Justin Gaethje Married?
As of March 2023, Justin Gaethje is not married and does not have any children. He is currently in a relationship with Sophia Romano. While the exact duration of their relationship is unknown, Gaethje first posted about her on his Instagram in early 2022. Both Gaethje and Romano are focused on their careers at the moment, and the idea of having children may be something they consider in the future, but it seems to be a distant plan for now.
Interestingly, Sophia Romano showed her excitement when she spotted Dustin Poirier in attendance during UFC 276 Adesanya vs. Cannonier. The highly-anticipated rematch between Gaethje and Poirier took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, following their initial bout in 2018, where Poirier secured victory with a TKO in the 4th round.
While fans might be curious about Gaethje and Romano's future plans, they are currently focused on their respective careers, and the timing of having children appears to be a consideration for the future. For now, both continue to enjoy their relationship and concentrate on their endeavors in the world of MMA and media.
Justin Gaethje Records
Win
24-4
Justin Gaethje
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 286
Loss
23-4
Charles Oliveira
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC 274
Win
23-3
Michael Chandler
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 268
Loss
22-3
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Technical Submission (triangle choke)
UFC 254
Win
22-2
Tony Ferguson
TKO (punch)
UFC 249
Win
21-2
Donald Cerrone
TKO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje
Win
20-2
Edson Barboza
KO (punch)
UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje
Win
19-2
James Vick
KO (punch)
UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick
Loss
18-2
Dustin Poirier
TKO (punches)
UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje
Loss
18-1
Eddie Alvarez
KO (knee)
UFC 218
Win
18-0
Michael Johnson
TKO (punches and knees)
The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Finale
Win
17-0
Luiz Firmino
TKO (doctor stoppage)
WSOF 34
Win
16-0
Brian Foster
TKO (leg kicks)
WSOF 29
Win
15-0
Luis Palomino
TKO (punches)
WSOF 23
Win
14-0
Luis Palomino
TKO (leg kicks and punches)
WSOF 19
Win
13-0
Melvin Guillard
Decision (split)
WSOF 15
Win
12-0
Nick Newell
TKO (punches)
WSOF 11
Win
11-0
Richard Patishnock
TKO (punches and elbows)
WSOF 8
Win
10-0
Dan Lauzon
KO (punches)
WSOF 6
Win
9-0
Brian Cobb
TKO (leg kicks)
WSOF 3
Win
8-0
Gesias Cavalcante
TKO (doctor stoppage)
WSOF 2
Win
7-0
Adrian Valdez
TKO (punches)
Rage in the Cage 164
Win
6-0
Drew Fickett
KO (punch)
Rage in the Cage 163
Win
5-0
Sam Young
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Rage in the Cage 162
Win
4-0
Marcus Edwards
Decision (unanimous)
ROF 43: Bad Blood
Win
3-0
Donnie Bell
TKO (punches)
ROF 42: Who's Next
Win
2-0
Joe Kelso
TKO (punches)
BTT MMA 2: Genesis
Win
1-0
Kevin Croom
KO (slam)
ROF 41: Bragging Rights
Result
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Who is Justin Gaethje:FAQs
Justin Gaethje was born on November 14, 1988, in Safford, Arizona, USA.
Justin Gaethje is nicknamed "The Highlight."
Justin Gaethje stands at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) tall and weighs 155 pounds (70 kilograms; 11.1 stone).
Justin Gaethje competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Justin Gaethje's coach is Trevor Wittman, who has been his trainer since 2011.