Former BMF champion Justin Gaethje has expressed concern about his well being after images of him in camp forward of UFC 324 went viral.
Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will struggle for the interim light-weight title at UFC 324 in Las Vegas later this month. Gaethje and Pimblett will headline UFC 324, kicking off UFC’s new broadcast partnership with Paramount+ as Ilia Topria continues on hiatus.
Gaethje vs. Pimblett is without doubt one of the largest fights of the yr and can carry readability to the UFC light-weight division. Though Arman Tsarukyan is taken into account by many to be the No. 1 candidate, Gaethje and Pimblett shall be vying for the suitable to face Topuria if the champion returns.
However UFC 324 suffered a quick scare this week after a picture of Gaethje with a big mark on his neck went viral on social media. Some followers had speculated that Gaethje had a staph an infection and wouldn’t be medically cleared to compete later this month.
Justin Gaethje speaks out about viral photograph displaying doable staph an infection
In latest posts ×Gaethje seems to have shut down hypothesis that he may very well be pressured to withdraw from UFC 324.
Followers have speculated that Justin Gaethje might have a staph an infection after a video surfaced displaying a mysterious wound on his neck. #UFC324 😬 pic.twitter.com/pdG4jZ8BkD
— Championship Spherical (@ChampRDS) January 6, 2026
“I’ve ingrown hairs on my neck and brisket hanging out of my mouth, Nostradamus,” Gaethje wrote.
Gaethje’s adamant denial of the potential of sickness ought to calm some followers’ fears for now.
The previous BMF titleholder is trying so as to add one other interim belt to his resume after defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. Gaethje most not too long ago returned to the light-weight title combine with a unanimous resolution victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 315.
Staph infections have grow to be extra frequent amongst UFC headliners in latest months. Merav Dvalishvili suffered a number of staph infections in 2025, together with earlier than shedding to Petr Yan at UFC 323 final month.
For now, it seems to be like the principle occasion of UFC 324 will stay in place. There are only some days left till the UFC resumes preventing after a protracted break.
