Justin Gaethje says he respects Conor McGregor’s skills, but admits he enjoyed his defeat to Dustin Poirier.
McGregor (22-5 MMA, 10-3 UFC) suffered a second round TKO loss to Poirier in the UFC 257 main event, adding an interesting twist to the promotion’s lightweight title image.
Gaethje (22-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC), who has campaigned to defeat McGregor in the past, couldn’t help but enjoy watching McGregor go down, and kept his feelings for ‘The Notorious’ did not occur when he spoke of the result and McGregor’s subsequent call for an immediate trilogy fight with Poirier.
“I think he’s an elite fighter,” Gaethje recently told ESPN. ‘What did they rank him on, six? I think he should be ahead of Tony (Ferguson) in the standings. But when he comes out and says he wants to shoot a title next, a rematch against Poirier and his coach, they’re (expletives) idiots. He has been specially treated time and time again and he has not taken this opportunity. That event was for him. That event was for him to win, and he now wants Mr. Humble, but you know he would be a (expletive) if he won that fight.
So I don’t feel bad for him. I am happy for Poirier. I’m glad Poirier went there and did his job and finished him. I love to see a noisy mouth shut off. There is nothing that makes me happier. Seeing a piece of (expletive) put down, that was great. I loved it. “
According to John Kavanagh, head of SBG Ireland, McGregor has expressed his wish to complete the trilogy with Poirier, and it appears that Poirier is reciprocating the same sentiments.
But if the UFC does indeed go in that direction, Gaethje says he would be absolutely indignant.
“I would remember never to fight in the UFC if he is fighting for another title,” said Gaethje. That would be ridiculous. First off, he’s at number 6, he’s won one fight in the lightweight division in his entire life, and he picks and chooses who to fight with. So I don’t respect him that way. “
Gaethje said he’s interested in fighting McGregor at some point, but isn’t sure this should be his next booking. With Michael Chandler impressing on his UFC debut, streaking Charles Oliveira in the title photo and Poirier topping the rankings, Gaethje looks forward to the division’s future as he plots his climb to avenge his loss. to “The Diamond.”
“It was a great weekend for us lightweights,” said Gaethje. “It really shook up the division. It’s going to make the UFC real, the matchmakers get together and come up with some ideas. There are a lot of options – I saw they put Dustin in the rankings for me, rightly so. He’s one, I’m two, Charles is three, Chandler’s four. Whatever happens, I have to get revenge on Poirier, so I’m going to make it no matter how I get there. “