Poirier Wants The Gaethje Trilogy – ‘I’m Down’
Dustin Poirier is willing to fight Justin Gaethje in a trilogy.
Poirier has faced Gaethje twice; their record stands at 1-1 apiece. Poirier won the first fight but was knocked out in the second fight at UFC 291. The loss meant Poirier missed out on the BMF Title. The Diamond is coming off a loss against Islam Makhachev in his last fight at UFC 302. Dustin suffered a fifth-round submission loss, as he missed out on the UFC Lightweight Title.
Meanwhile, Gaethje was knocked out in his last bout at UFC 300 against Max Holloway. Gaethje was well behind in the fight. He then traded with Holloway in the center before getting stopped with a second left to go in the fight. Gaethje took some time off to consider his next steps. He has a four-man list of who he wants to face. One of those names was Poirier. Dustin has said he will have one more fight before he retires. Now, The Diamond has put his support behind a third fight.
Poirier vs. Gaethje
“I said I was gonna take six months before I sparred. it’s been four, and I’m gonna have a difficult time making it to six months ’cause I’m itching. I think I’m gonna give it another month before I spar and then get back into camp. So we’ll see. There’s kind of like, another opportunity for somebody like how Dustin Poirier stepped in. There’s not a clear contender. Obviously I have to fight, but if I win, I’m right back in there. Dan Hooker (makes sense). I have a list. Hooker, (Charles) Oliveira, Poirier, and (Alexander) Volkanovski is a list of four people that I think — any of those would do for me what I need to do to get back in the picture,” Gaethje said
“You know I’m down,” Poirier responded
If the Poirier fight does not happen, the other fights are appealing. A rematch with Holloway makes sense, given the manner of the defeat. Holloway will face Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 for his next fight on October 26. The fight is not for the BMF belt as Holloway chases the UFC Featherweight Title. A win over Topuria gives Holloway the featherweight title and more of an incentive for Justin to face him.
Other Options
The rematch with Oliveira could also happen. Justin fought him at UFC 274 in 2022, when he lost via a first-round submission. Oliveira is on course to fight Michael Chandler on UFC 309. Chandler is still targeting the McGregor fight. But if Oliveira comes out with a win, there is a scenario where Justin faces Charles for the chance to fight McGregor. But Chandler is confident of beating Oliveira. A win is a step closer to getting a title shot against Makhachev, who is expected to fight Arman Tsarukyan next.
“Now I get the opportunity to fight Charles Oliveira, become the No. 1 contender, and then I’ve got options…then I will fight Conor after I dispatch of Charles Oliveira,” Chandler stated
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