Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
UFC fighter Justin Gaethje’s act of kindness helps students in Colorado.
The early 2000s did not have a kind view of mixed martial artists. The stereotypical image was of tattooed thugs and general societal delinquents. However, over time this view has changed and in large part it is down to the altruistic nature of some fighters. Take the great work Justin Wren is doing with the pygmies, Dustin Poirier’s Good Fight Foundation or Khabib Nurmagomedov’s development projects in Africa.
Most recently, Justin Gaethje was added to an ever-growing list of MMA good guys.
West Early College families received a wonderful holiday gift today. Shout out to Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje who is…
Posted by West Early College on Thursday, December 12, 2019
West Early College in Denver, Colarado reported via their Facebook page that Gaethje had written a check to pay off all student lunch debts. “West Early College families received a wonderful holiday gift today. Shout out to Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje who is a champion UFC fighter and friend to our Cowboys. Today he wrote a check for $1,538.00 to pay off all student lunch debt for the semester.”
Gaethje, was born in Arizona and would go on to wrestle for Safford High School, before relocating to Colorado where he wrestled for The University of Northern Colorado (UNCO). He became the first athlete from UNCO to gain prestigious All-American honors. The 31-year-old MMA star who earned his degree in Human Services has also previously expressed his interest in working with at-risk youth.
‘The Highlight,’ who is currently riding a three-fight win streak and also the recipient of six consecutive post-fight bonuses, has recently been vying for a title shot in the UFC’s lightweight division.