Justin Gaethje has won three of his last four UFC appearances. | Getty/UFC
With the proliferation of social media, the MMA community has become more adept at scrutinizing even the smallest details before big fights.The latest example involves a screenshot of Justin Gaethje from a recent video blog, in which the UFC lightweight prospect appears to have sores on his neck and lip. That image has led to rampant speculation that Gaethje may have developed a staph infection ahead of his interim lightweight title fight against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324.
Gaethje quickly took to social media to shut down the rumor mill, claiming the images depicted something completely different.”Did you screenshot the chest piece from my YouTube video to make it look like I have herpes on my lip? My neck is healing an ingrown hair,” Gaethje wrote on social media.
Did you take a screenshot of me eating brisket from my YouTube video to make it look like I have herpes on my lip? 😂 my neck is having a healing ingrown hair.
— Justin Bigje 🇺🇸 (@justin_gaethje)
January 6, 2026
It’s an ingrown hair on my neck and chest that hangs out of my mouth Nostradamus.
— Justin Bigje 🇺🇸 (@justin_gaethje)
January 6, 2026
Gaethje, a two-time lightweight title challenger and former BMF champion, has won three of his last four Octagon appearances. His match with Pimblett will serve as the headliner for UFC 324, which takes place on January 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on Paramount+ starting at 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT.
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