Justin Gaethje closed the conversation about a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier after UFC 313.
Dustin Poirier stopped 'The highlight' with strikes in the fourth round of their bloody first fight seven years ago – but Justin Gaethje got revenge when he slept 'The Diamond' with a main kick at UFC 291 in July 2023.
The resident of Louisiana is currently looking for a legend to face what is invoiced as his last MMA fight.
Gaethje seems like a perfect opponent, but after beating Rafael Fiziev on UFC 313, the always entertaining lightweight competitor excluded a third fight with Poirier.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Justin Gaethje excludes Dustin Poirier -Trilogy
Gaethje has been clear about his wish to fight Islam Makhachev for lightweight gold then.
However, that matchup may not come true, while Ilia Topuria is waiting for a title shot of 155 pounds in its wings.
If the former featherweight is called king as the next opponent of Makhachev, Gaethje will have to face someone else, because waiting for a title shot is not an option now.
There is a lot of fun fights for him at lightweight, but he is completely excluded from one potential opponent.
“I don't think one of our families deserves that,” said Gaethje when he was asked to be Poirier's pension opponent during the UFC 313 Post-Fight Press Conference.
“We are 1-1 and I think it's fine. If all goes well, then no.
“I think we are contenders when we beat other people.
“If I would beat him, I don't think one of us would be considered a candidate.”
What is the next step for Justin Gaethje?
Gaethje refused to give a good call to Makhachev after he had returned to the win column.
The 36-year-old did incredibly well to bounce back from poorly eliminated by Max Holloway on UFC 300 in April 2024.
However, he does not seem certain whether a victory over Fiziev is sufficient to put it back in the lightweight title mix.
“I don't know (what I want afterwards), we will see,” Gaethje added.
“I mean, I want to fight for the belt, it is of course a lot of different matchup than I just had,
“They tried to give me a donut, but I have to run again when I fight when I fight Makhachev.”
Dana White believes that Gaethje's have a great chance to be the next opponent of Makhachev.
“I mean, what is he right now? Fourth or something, right? Third, “said the UFC boss.
“There you go, he is still the number three arranged man in the world, so the chance that he will get the title shot are pretty good.”
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