Justin Gaethje recently addressed the possibility of a third fight against Dustin Poirier and weighed in on a potential bout with Conor McGregor at the UFC‘s White House event. Gaethje made it clear he is focused on chasing the undisputed lightweight championship rather than revisiting his past rivalry with Poirier.
Gaethje and Dustin Poirier have faced each other twice inside the octagon. Their initial clash occurred at UFC on FOX 29 in April 2018, where Poirier secured a fourth-round knockout victory. The rematch took place at UFC 291 in July 2023, when Gaethje responded with a second-round head-kick knockout, capturing the symbolic BMF title in the process.
Most recently, Gaethje earned the interim lightweight belt after decisively defeating Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324. This victory has set the stage for a long-anticipated fight against Ilia Topuria for the undisputed lightweight championship later this year. Despite speculation about a potential third meeting with Poirier should he return from retirement, Gaethje voiced his reluctance to pursue the trilogy.
Gaethje Prioritizes Championship Over Trilogy Rematch
During an interview with Stephen A. Smith, Gaethje was asked whether he would entertain another fight with Poirier. He firmly rejected the idea, stating:
“No, no. We’re 1-1. I’m fighting for the championship next. That is the biggest fight in the world, for me. For this division. It’s the biggest fight any of us could ever have, fighting for the undisputed championship belt. There’s nothing else that entertains me.”
Gaethje also commented on the notion of facing Conor McGregor at the upcoming UFC White House event, adding:
“If they came to me and said, ‘Do you want to fight McGregor on the White House card instead?’ I would think about it.”
Daniel Cormier Issues Caution About Upcoming Topuria Fight
MMA analyst and former fighter Daniel Cormier has expressed concern regarding Gaethje’s forthcoming challenge against Ilia Topuria. Cormier referenced Topuria’s devastating first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 last June, warning Gaethje about the danger of engaging in a stand-up slugfest with Topuria.
Speaking on the NightCap podcast, Cormier offered this advice:
“Justin Gaethje is my friend. I’m going to tell him, don’t do that [duke it out in the center of the cage as he did with Holloway] with Ilia Topuria, man. You can’t do that with him. He hits so hard.”
He further elaborated on Topuria’s striking power and precision:
“When he and Charles Oliveira were fighting, by the time Charles Oliveira hit the ground, he was already sleeping, man. Ilia hit him, two to three times on the way down. So before he hit the ground, Ilia hit him with the right hand. By the time Charles was knocked out and falling backward, Ilia then hit him with an uppercut. He hit him with another right hand.”
Gaethje’s Next Steps Could Define Lightweight Division’s Future
With the interim lightweight title secured, Justin Gaethje is positioned for what many consider the most critical fight of his career against Ilia Topuria for the undisputed championship. Gaethje’s decision to decline a third fight with Dustin Poirier indicates his focus remains on reclaiming the lightweight throne, rather than revisiting past rivalries.
The stakes are high, as Topuria’s recent performances have demonstrated his ability to finish fights decisively and quickly, a fact highlighted by Daniel Cormier’s warnings. Gaethje’s approach to the championship bout will not only shape his legacy but could also significantly impact the dynamics of the division moving forward. Meanwhile, the speculation around a potential McGregor showdown remains a tantalizing possibility that could add an unexpected twist to the lightweight landscape.
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