For three-and-half years, Justin Gaethje took the World Series of Fighting by storm. The promotion’s inaugural lightweight champion went 10-0 while under its banner, with nine of his wins by stoppage.

Gaethje (17-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) knew he would be a highly sought-after free agent when the time came, which made him a little apprehensive, though he was ready to capitalize on his opportunity.

“This is America, man. You’ve got to negotiate,” Gaethje recently told MMAjunkie Radio. “As soon as I was a free agent I was a little nervous.”

Naturally, the choice came down to either the UFC and Bellator, with the UFC winning out and signing Gaethje in early May. Now Gaethje makes his debut this week when he faces Michael Johnson (17-11 MMA, 9-7 UFC) in the FS1-televised The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale headliner Friday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

It’s the type of high-profile matchup Gaethje hoped for and expected after his exit from WSOF. And as long as other factors fell into place, the UFC was always going to be where he would decide to challenge himself.

“Hindsight, of course, I knew I was going to get a chance to fight Michael Johnson or somebody in the top five, top six,” Gaethje said. “As long as the money matched up, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

Gaethje, though, had nothing but good things to say about his dealings with Bellator.

“I give Bellator respect. They wanted me, and they respectfully came and tried to do it,” he said. “We talked a couple times. I like those guys over there. I have nothing but respect for them.”

For more on The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale, visit the UFC Rumors section of the site.