McGregor And Gaethje Fire Shots, Poirier Dejected, Adesanya Praises Pereira
Conor McGregor has vowed to knockout Justin Gaethje following the latter’s second-round stoppage of Dustin Poirier at UFC 291.
Gaethje landed a kick to the face that sent Poirier down in a spectacular fashion. Thereafter, Gaethje picked up the ‘BMF’ title, winning him many plaudits in the process.
After all, Gaethje managed to get his revenge on Poirier after his loss to him in 2018 after getting stopped.
However, McGregor was not best pleased as he hit out at Gaethje’s win by reminding him of the self-proclaimed true ‘BMF’ title holder.
McGregor and Gaethje
“Justin, I’ll slap you around. I’m the real bmf, he can fight for pennies if he wants but I want spirits, I call the shots, I’m in it to launch shots, f*ck chandler, you want it call for it,” McGregor
In response, Gaethje replied.
“I think he’s turned me down six times. Usually, you have to lose to fight him. I don’t really care… I like to fight big fights; I like exciting things and it sounds pretty exciting to me. I’m not going to fight someone on steroids,” Gaethje
Those comments from Gaethje have once again raised questions over McGregor’s potential octagon return.
McGregor has not fought since his loss to Poirier in 2021 following his broken leg. Although it was suggested that McGregor could make a return to the Octagon this year by potentially facing Michael Chandler, the ‘Notorious’ has not entered USADA testing yet.
The rules require McGregor to test negative on two occasions over a six-month period. So for now, McGregor isn’t returning anytime soon. And yet, that did not stop McGregor from vowing to stop Gaethje.
“I KO him one shot. Guarantee it,” McGregor
However, one man that questioned McGregor’s comments was the original BMF champion: Jorge Masvidal. The former retired from the sport following his defeat to Gilbert Burns.
That was his fourth loss on the bounce, and yet, Masvidal’s comments suggested he would be open to facing the ‘Notorious’ if the latter continued with his words.
“@TheNotoriousMMA shut ur mouth you pissing hot midget ur not cleared to fight. Talking about fighters going thru the grind and process. I bet you never say my name you scared (chicken),” Masvidal
Poirier On His Loss
Dustin Poirier has been left frustrated with his loss to Justin Gaethje. Poirier was deemed the favorite entering into the fight, especially since he had stopped Gaethje in 2018.
Not only that, but he followed up that win by defeating Conor McGregor in 2021. Therefore, the loss was not anticipated.
Poirier highlighted how he almost got the better of Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight belt, which showed the level that Poirier was operating at.
Dustin Poirier: “Khabib was better than me. I lost Saturday to somebody I think I’m better than." #TheMMAHour
▶️ https://t.co/kRJv9QPzeB pic.twitter.com/wb0bJXPuHr
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) July 31, 2023
“Khabib was better than me. I lost Saturday to somebody I think I’m better than. Yeah, yeah. I was away from home for nine weeks in training camp, you know.
“I dieted 11 weeks, sacrificed so much, really was really focused, man, was really, really focused, and felt great. The best I’ve ever felt. Honestly, the best I’ve ever felt,” Poirier
Moving ahead to the future, Poirier will have to decide where he goes from here. A potential fight Nate Diaz could emerge once the latter navigates his boxing fight with Jake Paul.
After all, Diaz had stated that he is open to returning to the UFC. With that being said, watch this space.
Adesanya On Pereira
Israel Adesanya reacted to Alex Pereira’s win over Jan Blachowicz.
Pereira overcame some early troubles to beat Blachowicz via a split decision on his light-heavyweight debut: 29-28, 28-29, 29-28.
The victory banished any memories of Pereira’s defeat to Adesanya, as he suggested a second-round KO to take their UFC rivalry to 1-1.
Although Blachowicz was arriving into the fight with a draw over Magomed Ankalaev, the former started well against Pereira.
Blachowicz secured a takedown in the first round, as he piled the pressure on Pereira. However, the latter increased his workrate, as his class ultimately showed.
The win could put Pereira in line for a shot at the vacant title. And by the looks of it, Adesanya had been impressed by what he saw.
“He might be slower at this weight, but let’s find out. He’s chunkier, I don’t know, let’s see… I’m telling you, he doesn’t want any space because once you give him space, he going to touch you.
“Alex won, looked good at light heavyweight. Also, elevation, we have to consider that as well. But, yeah crafty from Jan. He did the right thing to try and sneak the victory, but wasn’t enough. Alex now vs. Jiri probably for the belt, I’m going to assume,” Adesanya
In contrast, Adesanya is struggling to find an opponent at middleweight. Fights with Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland have failed to emerge so far.
Du Plessis has ruled himself out with a foot problem, while Strickland has suggested that the UFC does not want the fight to happen. So far now, Adesanya and Pereira are on different roads.
You can stay up-to-date with the latest happenings in the world of boxing and MMA by visiting boxingblitz right here.
