Gaethje Demands $10M for BKFC Fight, Eyeing RAF Return

UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje sets a lofty price tag to leave the UFC for Conor McGregor's Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:54am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting an intense close-up of a fighter's face, with sharp geometric planes of deep red, orange, and black colors capturing the raw energy of combat.Gaethje's $10 million price tag for a BKFC fight could make him the highest-paid UFC star to compete outside the promotion.Denver Today

UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje attended a BKFC event in Denver and was asked if he would ever fight in bare-knuckle boxing. Gaethje named a staggering $10 million price tag to make the move, saying his mother would 'kill him' if he did it for less. While BKFC has paid high sums to other UFC veterans like Mike Perry, it's unclear if they would meet Gaethje's demand, which would make him the highest-paid UFC fighter to compete in BKFC.

Why it matters

Gaethje is one of the UFC's most exciting and popular fighters, known for his all-action fighting style. His potential move to BKFC would be a major coup for the upstart promotion, but the $10 million price tag could be a dealbreaker. This also raises questions about fighter pay disparities between the UFC and BKFC, as well as Gaethje's future plans, with a potential return to his wrestling roots in the RAF also mentioned.

The details

Gaethje attended the BKFC 88 event in Denver, where he was asked if he would ever compete in bare-knuckle boxing. After initially hesitating, Gaethje named a $10 million price tag, saying his mother would be upset if he did it for less. BKFC has paid high sums to other UFC veterans like Mike Perry, but it's unclear if they would meet Gaethje's demand, which would make him the highest-paid UFC fighter to compete in BKFC. Gaethje is currently set to unify his interim UFC lightweight title against Ilia Topuria in June, but at 37 years old, he could soon retire from the UFC. If he doesn't walk away completely, a BKFC fight could be a lucrative option, but the promotion may balk at his $10 million asking price.

  • Gaethje attended the BKFC 88 event in Denver on April 18, 2026.
  • Gaethje is scheduled to fight Ilia Topuria at UFC White House on June 14, 2026 to unify the UFC lightweight title.

The players

Justin Gaethje

The interim UFC lightweight champion, known for his exciting fighting style and action-packed bouts in the UFC.

Conor McGregor

The founder and promoter of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).

Ilia Topuria

Gaethje's upcoming opponent at UFC White House, where they will unify the UFC lightweight title.

Mike Perry

A former UFC fighter who has competed in BKFC and reportedly signed an $8 million deal with the promotion.

Darren Till

A former UFC fighter who recently signed with BKFC after a successful run in Misfits Boxing.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Oh my god, I think my mom would kill me. She would kill me. I'm a wrestler. So when all else fails, I should go to wrestling (RAF), even though you guys are all gonna think and know that's a f—ing lie. But... $10 million.”

— Justin Gaethje, UFC Interim Lightweight Champion

“I am very pleased to be signing with BKFC. It's an amazing promotion. F— everyone on this roster, I'm coming to be the face of violence. No one can beat me.”

— Darren Till

What’s next

Gaethje is scheduled to fight Ilia Topuria at UFC White House on June 14, 2026 to unify the UFC lightweight title. If he does not retire after that fight, a potential move to BKFC could be on the table, but the promotion would need to meet his $10 million price tag.

The takeaway

Gaethje's $10 million demand for a BKFC fight highlights the significant pay gap between the UFC and upstart promotions like BKFC, as well as Gaethje's leverage as a top UFC star. While BKFC has paid high sums to other UFC veterans, it remains to be seen if they would be willing to meet Gaethje's lofty asking price, which would make him the highest-paid UFC fighter to compete outside the promotion.