Dustin Poirier is interested by a possible rematch with Justin Gaethje.
Within the co-headliner of UFC 286 this previous Saturday, Gaethje defeated Rafael Fiziev by majority choice in a ‘Combat of the Evening’ awarded look. Throughout his post-fight interview with UFC colour commentator Daniel Cormier, the ‘Spotlight’ stated he would have ‘yet another run on the title’, which Islam Makhachev now holds.
For Gaethje, that run would come with a pair of rematches in opposition to Charles Oliveira and the aforementioned Poirier, who he suffered a fourth-round TKO loss to at UFC on FOX 29 practically 5 years in the past. Although ‘Do Bronx’ has but to reply, the ‘Diamond’ did — and he would gladly share the Octagon with Gaethje once more.
“It’s a struggle that makes me nervous,” stated Poirier in a current interview with Amy Kaplan of FanSided MMA. “Once I hear a reputation and I get nervous, it’s motivation. These are the type of fights that — similar factor with Chandler. Once I heard Chandler’s identify, once they referred to as me with Michael Chandler, I used to be nervous, as a result of I knew the hazard of these sorts of fights, and that’s what motivates me.
“Similar factor with Justin,” continued Poirier. “In the event that they do name me and he’s the identify that they are saying, possibly it occurs. We’ll see.”
As talked about, Poirier is awaiting a name from the UFC on his subsequent look. The Louisiana native has but to return following his third-round rear-naked choke of Michael Chandler at UFC 281 this previous November.
Since then, the UFC light-weight division has had some vital motion. Fights between Charles Oliveira & Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan & Renato Moicano are already on the books. Hoping to leap into the fray, Poirier is aiming for a return quickly.
“I’m completely happy, however I solely fought as soon as this 12 months, and I don’t need that to occur once more this 12 months,” stated Poirier. “However on the similar time, my life is completely different now. My daughter is in first grade, so a summer season struggle could be supreme. That method I may convey my household with me for the majority of coaching camp. For this final struggle with Chandler, we needed to cut up it up. I can’t take my daughter out of college for eight, 9 weeks, in order that makes it a little bit bit harder. However summer season could be good.”
Concerning the creator: Kristen King is a author for Bloody Elbow. She has lined fight sports activities since 2016. (full bio)
