Former BMF champion Justin Gaethje wants to go back with Max Holloway after UFC 318.
Max Holloway spoiled Dustin Poirier's pension fight on UFC 318 when he won their BMF trilogy in New Orleans last Saturday due to a unanimous decision. Holloway and Poirier treated fans to one of the best battles of the year, in what a monumental Sing was to one of the greatest legends of sport.
The last 10 seconds of Poirier's UFC career contained a 'point down' from Holloway and the last second Brawl in the Octagon. But luckily for Poirier he did not have the same fate as Justin Gaethje on UFC 300.
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Justin Gaethje Open for Max Holloway Rematch, but presents one in-fighting condition
Holloway shocked the MMA world when he beat Gaethje cold at De Zemer in their BMF title fight on UFC 300. The knockout forced Gaethje to take away a full year from MMA to recover from the damage suffered in the game.
After viewing Holloway's victory over UFC 318, Gaethje wants a second chance against Holloway and feels better prepared for a potentially second 'point down' moment in the cage.
In a recent interview with ESPN MMA, Gaethje responded to the last 10 seconds of UFC 318 and how he would approach a full circle moment with Holloway.
“Those 10 seconds are no different than the first 10 seconds, or the middle 10 seconds. You have to be perfect,” said Gaethje.
“At that moment when I fought, in particular, I lost. I nodded with my head and ran there, because I was there to win, to compete, to fight until the last second. And was literally eliminated in the last second.
'If he does it again, I will explode double legs. Because he is so dangerous there. He is completely round, different [155]. His strength translates over, had him on skating several times and his four, five punch combinations are really effective. If they would offer me that fight now, I would take it because I would get the chance to fight against someone who defeated me, “Gaethje went on.” But we will see what the timing is and what route the UFC wants to go and we will see what is going on. “
Gaethje has turned his earlier Ultimatum to the UFC to retire if he does not earn a title shot against UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria. After he was briefly linked to a rumor collision with the rising competitor Paddy Pimblett, Gaethje does not remain booked for his next fight, from this letter.
Holloway called to run back with Topuria for his next fight, but also entertained a rematch against Charles Oliveira after UFC 318. Holloway accused Oliveira of falsifying an injury in their first confrontation in 2015.
Holloway and Gaethje would be very logical for a potential no. 1 candidate fight, amidst Arman Tsarukyan's uncertain return and Topuria who welcomes a fight with Pimblett. We could learn more about what the next time is for the former UFC 300 rivals in the coming weeks.
Dustin Poirier wrote 'Last letter to MMA' only a few days after UFC 318 Pension
After he announced his retirement on UFC 318, Poirier wrote an emotional message to mixed martial arts in a recent message on social media. Many UFC legends, including Daniel Cormier and former opponent Khabib Nurmagomedov, have paid tribute to Poirier in recent days.
Poirier withdraws with a legendary UFC -CV prior to a likely UFC Hall of Fame induction. He defeated the will of Conor McGregor (2x), Gaethje and Holloway during his illustrious career.
After dropping the gloves on UFC 318, Poirier could possibly make the full-time transition to television as a UFC analyst, in the footsteps of Cormier, Paul Felder and others.