If you happened to be one of those people who missed the opening show of the 2026 UFC event schedule, the main event of the night for UFC 324 saw the UFC Interim Lightweight Championship on the line between No. 4 contender Justin Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) and No. 5 contender Paddy Pimblett (23-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC).
In a 25-minute test of both fighters, “The Highlight” handed “The Baddy” his first defeat since joining the UFC’s active roster in late 2021. This prompted Henry Cejudo to take the microphone on Monday.
Henry Cejudo praises Justin Gaethje Pounds 4 Pounds
Cejudo serves as co-host of the Pounds 4 Pounds podcast with fellow UFC legend Kamaru Usman. Monday’s episode started with Henry Cejudo crediting the UFC for putting the now interim lightweight champion at the event.
“Any time you put Justin Gaethje on the map, keep going each (expletive deleted) card, is the best thing the UFC could actually do,” Cejudo told Usman and the crowd. delivered!”
From there, Cejudo praised Justin Gaethje’s work ethic.
“For those who have never been to wars, what Justin is going through, he is right to risk his livelihood for entertainment,” he continued. “Okay, they went up [the bonuses] another [$50,000.] Good. For Justin, that should be multiplied by ten. There should be a million dollar payday for him on top of what he does.”
Henry Cejudo hands out more praise for interim champion
Henry Cejudo’s praise was far from over. He also talked about why UFC fans should be thankful that Justin Gaethje is on the promotion’s active roster.
“One, he delivers,” Cejudo continued. “One, he’s marketing it. One, he’s grateful. I’m going to say it, he’s real. Justin is the only guy who can complain about fighter pay.”
Ahead of UFC 324 on Saturday, UFC CEO Dana White announced that post-fight bonuses for winners would be doubled from $50,000 [USD] up to $100,000 [USD.] In addition, fighters who won their matches within the distance could receive a $25,000 advance.
“I think anyone can do that [complain about pay,] but it’s actually Justin that… man, it means more,” Cejudo said. “Even the fact that Dana had to answer this during the fight week questions, I could tell it was uncomfortable for him as well. Rightly so, man, he delivered.”
Cejudo believes Justin Gaethje has had a brilliant career so far
Later during the podcast’s “Questions From a Casual” segment, the question was asked which fighter between Justin Gaethje and UFC retiree Dustin Poirier could best run inside the legendary Octagon. Usman continued to answer the question, but Cejudo’s answer was simple.
“Sure, it’s Justin. It’s Justin,” Henry Cejudo replied. “What he’s been able to do, what he’s been able to give to the fans, Poirier has lost to people where you think, ‘Oh, he beat Poirier?’ Gaethje took [losses,] but they have always told people that you look like ‘God’. It’s never been like a flash knockout or a knockout or anything like that. He always gave it everything he had, and the only time he was actually put to sleep was against [Max] Hollow.”
“He comes and he delivers, mate,” he continued. “There’s never a dull or boring moment in his fights. That’s Hall of Fame worthy.”
Final thoughts
Henry Cejudo’s comments on Pounds 4 Pounds There are no doubt high praise for Justin Gaethje in the latest episode. It’s praise that is well deserved after last Saturday night’s action at UFC 324.
When you have a certain UFC Hall of Famer using his podcast platform to give a hearty round of applause to a newly minted champion, interim or permanent, that’s something to take into account 100 percent of the time. Considering Justin Gaethje stepped up to deny Paddy Pimblett the interim title on Saturday, his performance could very well be a stepping stone to an eventual spot in the UFC Hall of Fame.
Justin Gaethje took a step in the right direction with his victory over Pimblett in Las Vegas. Now it’s up to Gaethje to prove Henry Cejudo right the next time “The Highlight” makes the walk to the cage.
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