Dustin Poirier rallies behind Justin Gaethje's title-shot call after UFC 317
Dustin Poirier is in agreement with Justin Gaethje on the next UFC lightweight title shot.
Gaethje is eyeing the winner of vacant lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) and Charles Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC), which headlines Saturday's UFC 317 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) was upset that Oliveira got the vacant title fight over him, and expressed his frustration towards the UFC. He said it's title fight or bust, and Poirier isn't against that option.
"I think Paddy's getting closer, but I wouldn't think they would give him a shot right now," Poirier told MMA Junkie. "He did just beat (Michael) Chandler, maybe one more big win and he's knocking on the door. Obviously with Arman (Tsarukyan), UFC reaching out to him and putting him as the backup, they have still high hopes for him getting in there for the title. But to me personally, I would pick Gaethje."
Gaethje's discontent comes from the fact that he's done the UFC a solid on several occasions. Prior to UFC 300, he was in line for a title shot after knocking out Poirier to claim the BMF belt at UFC 291. However, he agreed to defend his BMF title against Max Holloway in the UFC 300 main event, and wound up getting knocked out.
He was then scheduled to face Dan Hooker at UFC 313 in March, but Hooker withdrew just weeks before the fight. Gaethje accepted short-notice replacement Rafael Fiziev, an opponent he already faced and beat before at UFC 286. Gaethje won the rematch by unanimous decision.
"I mean a guy who's done everything he's done with the company, and put on the shows, it's must-watch TV every time he's out there," Poirier said of Gaethje. "And he just beat another high-ranked guy, and he's coming towards – he said it, the end of his career. If he only has a few left, he's still fighting the best guys, put him in there and see if he could make that dream a reality, and the division keeps moving forward."
To hear more from Poirier, check out his complete appearance on "The Bohnfire" podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn above.
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