Justin Gaethje admitted that a third and final fight with Dustin Poirier is something he would have to seriously consider. The two lightweights shared a pair of memorable battles in 2018 and 2023, each leaving with a knockout win.
Justin Gaethje admitted that a third and final fight with Dustin Poirier is something he would have to seriously consider.
The two lightweights shared a pair of memorable battles in 2018 and 2023, each leaving with a knockout win. Poirier claimed their first meeting in April 2018, but Gaethje got his revenge five years later by taking the BMF belt at UFC 291.
‘The Diamond’ stepped away from fighting last year after losing his third bout against Max Holloway for the BMF title at UFC 318, retiring at the age of 37. But seeing Gaethje, who is three months older, capture another interim title last month made him open to a return to settle their rivalry once and for all.
Justin Gaethje is open to Dustin Poirier trilogy
Gaethje proved he still has plenty left in the tank, going the distance with Paddy Pimblett to claim his second interim lightweight title at UFC 324. The win has put him back in the title picture, with a shot at Ilia Topuria’s belt now within reach.
Afterwards, former Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson said he wanted to see a final fight between ‘The Highlight’ and Poirier. And the latter got fans talking when he replied on Instagram, saying: “I’ll come back for that one.”
Speaking with Bloody Elbow via Duelbits, Gaethje admitted the trilogy is not something he is pushing for but understands why it might happen.
He said: “Dustin’s a warrior and I’ll always respect him.
“If he really wants to come back and the UFC wants that fight, I’d do it. But I’m focused on moving forward, not backward. I’ve got goals I’m chasing, and that’s where my attention is.”
Justin Gaethje felt Paddy Pimblett win was ‘3-1 for the legends’
Gaethje’s victory over Pimblett had Poirier saying it was a win for the veterans, but Gaethje sees it as more than just one point. In his eyes, the legends already hold a clear edge over the newer faces in the division.
“We’re up three. He [Poirier] beat Benoit Saint-Denis, I beat [Rafael] Fiziev and I just beat Paddy. We’re up three right now. [Ilia] Topuria took out Max [Holloway], so we might be 3-1 but I’m going to try to avenge that one,” he told UFC News.
Category: General Sports
