“You guys cheap motherfu**ers!” Manager reveals hilarious story of getting Justin Gaethje paid half a million for interim title fight by UFC brass

Dominance MMA represents a plethora of fighters in MMA across promotions. Under Ali Abdelaziz, several fighters have made a huge splash, particularly in the UFC. One of Abdelaziz’s favorite clients is Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje. Gaethje always fought, as his nickname suggested, and hence, he made a splash with bonuses.

Gaethje is among the highest-paid athletes on the UFC roster due to his immense popularity and exciting fighting style. Ali Abdelaziz has fought tooth and nail for Gaethje on numerous occasions. Recently, on the Show me the Money podcast, the manager revealed how he got Gaethje his first half-million remuneration from the UFC.

During COVID, Justin Gaethje was supposed to fight Tony Ferguson, and I thought Justin Gaethje should deserve $500,000. They said no, we'll give him 350, and I was like, 'Hey, you guys cheap motherfu**ers. You guys so cheap.'...I went to my house, and I got $150,000 in the box, and it was COVID, everything was closed. I dropped it at the front desk at UFC security, and I told the security, 'Give this box to Hunter [Campbell] and Dana [White]' ...Hunter, called me and said, 'You fu**ing cr*zy. Come get your fu**ing money. I said, 'No.' They chased me for almost 10 days to give this money, and they paid Justin $500,000.

Ali Abdelaziz via Show me the Money podcast

Abdelaziz stated the story to be 100% true without any fluff. The manager did what he did not for monetary reasons but for what he felt was fair. For Abdelaziz, he wanted every fighter under him to have the same luxury he had. Therefore, he always gave proper advice to his fighters. The manager made it a priority to give fighters their own houses.

Nonetheless, Justin Gaethje fought Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title as Khabib Nurmagomedov could not come to the USA due to COVID restrictions. Gaethje won the fight via TKO but lost to Nurmagomedov in the undisputed title fight. Interestingly, Abdelaziz was the manager of both fighters.

Ali Abdelaziz reveals why Justin Gaethje fought at UFC 300

Justin Gaethje won a $300K bonus at UFC 300 but suffered a brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway and lost the BMF title. Gaethje did not have to take the fight as a title shot against Islam Makhachev could’ve potentially happened.

Nonetheless, Gaethje, being the BMF he is, took the fight. On the Show me the Money podcast, shot before UFC 300, Abdelaziz revealed why he and Gaethje agreed to take up the fight.

I like the matchup against Max [Holloway] because yes, I do, 100%. It's risky; Max can go out there and catch [Justin] Gaethje, too, yeah. Anything can happen, yeah. But you know, the reward is so high compared to the risk, yeah. You can't just pass on it.

Ali Abdelaziz via Show me the Money podcast

Gaethje reportedly made $2 million plus for the fight at UFC 300. However, due to the damage from the fight, he would take a long layoff. Recently, ‘The Highlight’ revealed he won’t train for six months as he will focus on his recovery.

In case you missed it!

• “No other option!” Justin Gaethje walked to center of octagon after promise to fans ahead of UFC 300
• “It’s how I’ve competed since I was a kid,” Justin Gaethje has no regrets after WAR with Max Holloway at UFC 300

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