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Dustin Poirier expects to finish Justin Gaethje next month at UFC 291: ‘I’m going to be brilliant in there, man’

Dustin Poirier expects to finish Justin Gaethje at UFC 291 I'm going to be brilliant Former UFC interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier is confident of finishing his next opponent, Justin Gaethje, in their upcoming UFC 291 bout. The rematch between Poirier and Gaethje is scheduled for July 29 in Salt Lake City, Utah and has all the making of an instant classic between two tough lightweight veterans. Both men are […]

Former UFC interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier is confident of finishing his next opponent, Justin Gaethje, in their upcoming UFC 291 bout.

The rematch between Poirier and Gaethje is scheduled for July 29 in Salt Lake City, Utah and has all the making of an instant classic between two tough lightweight veterans. Both men are on what will likely be there last run at attaining UFC gold, and with this added motivation on top of their already iron wills, it seems impossible that this one won’t be entertaining.

The two men have fought before, facing off back in 2018, in which Poirier would knock out a game Gaethje in the fourth round. ‘The Diamond’ expects history to repeat itself when they face on another next month and when talking on the DC & RC show, was confident in securing a finish.

I can finish him again, 100 percent, I can finish anybody in the world at 155 pounds,” Poirier said to Daniel Cormier. “I just have to be on, in the right mental space, ready to perform. It’s 25 minutes to get it done and July 29, bro, I’m going to be brilliant in there, man, I’m telling you.” (H/T BJPenn.com)

Last chance for Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje

Both Poirier and Gaethje have had outstanding, memorable careers and some of their fights will always be remembered dearly by MMA fans. However, good things cannot last forever and with the pair both aged 34, already having multiple title challenges and numerous wars – it will likely mean the dream of undisputed gold is over for the loser.

The pair will headline UFC 291 next month in a 155lb contest with the vacant ‘BMF’ title also being on the line.

Dustin Poirier talking with DC & RC

Do you agree with Dustin Poirier, will he stop Justin Gaethje next month?

Justin Gaethje thoroughly enjoyed watching Dustin Poirier KO Conor McGregor: ‘Love to see that dude get broken’

Justin Gaethje thoroughly enjoyed watching Conor McGregor get his a** handed to him by Dustin Poirier not once, but twice. On July 29, ‘The Highlight’ will make his return to the Octagon coming off an impressive majority decision win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286. Next, Justin Gaethje will run back his 2018 instant classic […]

Justin Gaethje thoroughly enjoyed watching Conor McGregor get his a** handed to him by Dustin Poirier not once, but twice.

On July 29, ‘The Highlight’ will make his return to the Octagon coming off an impressive majority decision win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286. Next, Justin Gaethje will run back his 2018 instant classic with fellow lightweight leather-slinger, Dustin Poirier. The two high-octane scrappers will headline the promotion’s return to Salt Lake City this summer with the BMF title up for grabs.

Less than two months from their highly anticipated rematch, Justin Gaethje sat down with UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier and Ryan Clark to speak about his UFC 291 showdown with ‘The Diamond. During the conversation, Gaethje expressed deep respect for Poirier and relished what he did to Irish superstar Conor McGregor on more than one occasion.

“It was a great learning experience. Tons of respect for the dude,” Gaethje said of his first meeting with Poirier during an appearance on DC & RC. “He’s a dog, and what he’s done to [Conor] McGregor the last couple fights was super impressive. I always love to see that dude get broken.

After suffering a first-round knockout against McGregor in their initial 2014 meeting, Dustin Poirier evened the score with his highlight-reel knockout at UFC 257 in 2021. With the fighters deadlocked at 1-1, they signed on the dotted line for a trilogy bout six months later. Unfortunately, disaster would strike for the Irishman as he would suffer a nasty leg break near the end of the opening round, an injury he is yet to return from.

Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier Were Destined to Meet Again

Since their 2018 Fight of the Year, Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier have gone an identical 6-2 with four finishes and two victories by way of decision. Their only two losses came against the exact same fighters, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, and both have earned a win over former Bellator MMA champion Michael Chandler. Given all the similarities in their respective careers, some would suggest that these two men were destined to meet again inside the Octagon.

“So this guy’s a dog and I know I’m going to have to be perfect. I know that there’s no need for animosity. We’re two of the best, most violent athletes in the sport,” Gaethje continued. “We both love what we do. We both love the carnage and we’re both content with what we’re about to put ourselves through. It’s all preparation. He’s super confident. I’m super confident coming off this last win. And again, this card is stacked. It’s going to be an electric night.”

Dustin Poirier holds an equal amount of respect for Justin Gaethje, making this one of the few fights that can be sold without the need for unnecessary and borderline-scripted trash-talk.

“[My respect for Gaethje] came from spending over 20 minutes in the octagon with him, bleeding,” Poirier said of his opponent. “But I’m a fan of his. Anytime he fights, I’m going to watch. He’s the kind of fighter I like to watch. He puts it all on the line every time, and those are the kind of fights that I want to be involved in. So that’s why this fight is exciting to me. But I’ve ran into Justin a few times since we’ve fought and he’s always been straight up. The [animosity] with [Michael] Chandler was because I think he’s fake, but Justin seems real to me” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Justin Gaethje tipped for another UFC title fight with a win over Dustin Poirier

Justin Gaethje believes a win over Dustin Poirier could very well land him another opportunity at UFC gold. The two leather-slinging lightweights will run back their 2018 classic this summer as the promotion makes its long-awaited return to Salt Lake City for UFC 291. ‘The Highlight’ and ‘The Diamond’ will headline the July 29 event […]

Justin Gaethje believes a win over Dustin Poirier could very well land him another opportunity at UFC gold.

The two leather-slinging lightweights will run back their 2018 classic this summer as the promotion makes its long-awaited return to Salt Lake City for UFC 291. ‘The Highlight’ and ‘The Diamond’ will headline the July 29 event with the bragging rights belt, otherwise known as the BMF championship, on the line. More importantly, both men could very well be fighting for another crack at a legitimate UFC championship. At least, that’s what Justin Gaethje suggested during his recent appearance on ESPN’s DC & RC.

“These rankings are for a reason,” Gaethje said. “They might not be as legit as we think they are, but he’s No. 2, I’m No. 3. No. 1 is fighting No. 4, and the champion needs someone to fight. I think if Dariush wins, he’s going to fight (Makhachev) in October, and the winner of that fight will fight the winner of this fight. If Oliveira (wins), I think one of us is going to be right back into camp” (h/t MMA Junkie).

Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira are scheduled to co-main event the promotion’s return to Canada on June 10. As Justin Gaethje suggested, Dariush is expected to finally get his first shot at the 155-pound crown with a win over the former lightweight titleholder. However, if ‘Do Bronx’ gets back into the win column, it’s unlikely that he will jump right back into a title fight with reigning champion Islam Makhachev given the decisive end to their UFC 280 headliner in October.

Justin Gaethje Understands that Time is Running Out to Achieve His Dream

That could pave the way for either Justin Gaethje or Dustin Poirier to fill the gap and earn what would likely be their last chance at becoming a UFC champion. Even if Dariush gets the best of Oliveira, the winner of Gaethje vs. Poirier 2 will still find themselves in line for a title fight, but it likely would not occur until 2024 with a rematch between Makhachev and featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski looming large.

Justin Gaethje recognizes the importance of getting past Gaethje in order to one day achieve his dream of being a world champion. ‘The Highlight’ also realizes that the clock is ticking on his career and before long, he will have to make the decision that every fighter eventually comes to face.

“I don’t want to put myself in a position where I’ve got to think if I lose, but I wouldn’t imagine because the fire is not gone,” Gaethje continued. “When I talk in those hyperboles, I’m talking about the future. I’m talking about the reality of the situation. I’m 35 fights into a career. I’m 34 years old. There’s plenty examples of going too long, and I have people around me that love me that are going to prevent that. I trust them, and when they want to have that conversation, I’ll listen to them. For right now, we’re full steam ahead.”

Ex-UFC champion Alex Pereira details airport run-in with Israel Adesanya, talks future fight with Jamahal Hill

Alex Pereira shared details about his recent run-in with longtime rival Israel Adesanya at an airport. Pereira has had a long and storied history with ‘The Last Stylebender’ dating back to their days competing under the GLORY Kickboxing banner in the 2010s. It was there that the Brazilian boogeyman scored back-to-back wins against Adesanya, including […]

Alex Pereira shared details about his recent run-in with longtime rival Israel Adesanya at an airport.

Pereira has had a long and storied history with ‘The Last Stylebender’ dating back to their days competing under the GLORY Kickboxing banner in the 2010s. It was there that the Brazilian boogeyman scored back-to-back wins against Adesanya, including a vicious third-round knockout at Glory of Heroes 15 in 2017. Fast forward five years and the two familiar foes would meet once again inside the Octagon. Pereira picked up right where he left off, earning a shocking fifth-round knockout to capture the middleweight world championship at UFC 281.

Adesanya would finally break through, scoring his own highlight-reel-worthy knockout against Alex Pereira in their MMA rematch at UFC 287. Despite the two fighters sitting at 1-1 inside the Octagon, both men have seemingly accepted that their April rematch was the end of the line and neither man appears to hold ill will toward the other. During an appearance on MMA Fighting’s Portuguese-language podcast Trocação Franca, Alex Pereira discussed his recent run-in with Adesanya while departing Australia and revealed that the two combat sports icons were very cordial with one another, even sharing a laugh during the brief interaction.

“We were both in Australia and at the same hotel, some people from my crew saw him there but we never actually met there,” Pereira said. “When we were leaving, at the Los Angeles [to] New York connection, we met in the line and said hi, had some laughs. I got there first, he came in after, and we greeted.”

Alex Pereira admits that a rivalry with ‘The Last Stylebender’ will always exist, but right now, ‘Poatan’ is turning his attention toward his next test, Jan Blachowicz.

“The rivalry will always exist,” Pereira said. “I’m fighting [Jan Blachowicz] now, I have to have rivalry with the guy I’m fighting, you know? He’s in there and he wants to kill me, and I want to do the same to him. How am I going to treat him [nicely]? I have to be mean there.

“It’s the same thing with Adesanya. For example, if I were to fight him again, we would have a rivalry. But now, why? We’ll meet; Adesanya, he’s there with a teammate, I’m in the same spot, and we can’t [cross paths] because we’ll destroy the whole place and beat each other up? That doesn’t exist. That type of rivalry doesn’t exist with me.”

Alex Pereira Sets Sights on Conquering the Light Heavyweight Division Before an Inevitable Return to Middleweight

Alex Pereira’s cut to the middleweight division was a daunting task that required weeks of preparation and torment, but ‘Poatan’ is confident that he can continue to compete at 185 should the opportunity present itself. For now, the former multi-time world champion is going to give his body a rest by competing at light heavyweight but he fully intends on making his way back to middleweight once he has conquered the 205-pound weight class.

“I can make 185 right now,” he said. “If I had to make [185] on July 29. I could, but I have to give my body a rest from this weight cut. So I’ll fight two or three times in this division. I don’t know what can happen [next], but I think I’ll be recovered to fight again at 185.”

With his light heavyweight debut scheduled for UFC 291 on July 29, Alex Pereira is already looking ahead to a potential clash with the division’s reigning titleholder, Jamahal Hill.

“It’s a fight that will sell a lot,” Pereira said of potentially facing Hill. “I think he’s going to fight one more time and I’ll root for him to win, because it’s a fight that will sell a lot, and that’s a fight I want, if I were to choose. Between Prochazka and Jamahal, I’d choose Jamahal.”

Alex Pereira suggested that his next opponent, Jan Blachowicz, is a more technical fighter than Hill, but recognizes that ‘Sweet Dreams’ will present a more intriguing matchup for the fans and himself.

“I think Blachowicz is more technical,” Pereira added. “Jamahal is more crazy, hits a bit too open — which is dangerous, but at that same time that’s very good for me.”

Justin Gaethje readying for all-out war with Dustin Poirier: ‘I am preparing for 25 minutes of hell’

UFC lightweight Justin Gaethje expects to go through hell during his main event fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 291. The rematch of Gaethje and Poirier is officially on and the two war merchants will battle five years removed from their first firefight in 2018. Since then, both men have captured the UFC interim title, […]

UFC lightweight Justin Gaethje expects to go through hell during his main event fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 291.

The rematch of Gaethje and Poirier is officially on and the two war merchants will battle five years removed from their first firefight in 2018. Since then, both men have captured the UFC interim title, challenged for undisputed gold, and put on action-packed fights.

Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier run it back

In their first bout, Poirier would stop Gaethje in the fourth round, but talking to DC & RC, Gaethje explained that their first meeting will have no bearing on their fight set for July.

“That was five years ago, I do not believe that plays a factor. I won’t watch that fight, the UFC made me watch it the other day, it’s a fun fight to watch,” Gaethje said. “But, like I said, I fought like an idiot, but that is the challenge we are facing, every fight is so different every time. I fought Oliveira like an idiot, that was two fights ago, I fought the last fight perfect, I fought the fight before Oliveira perfect against Chandler.”

Justin Gaethje would continue, explaining that he fully understands and is willing to engage in what this fight has all the makings of – an absolute war.

“Every one of these is a different circumstance, a different time, it’s 25 minutes on July 29 and that’s all that matters. What’s going to happen, I don’t know,” ‘The Highlight‘ continued. “I am preparing for 25 minutes of hell because I know I’m fighting a dog and I know that I will never quit on myself and he knows that. So, I’m sure we will be as prepared as we possibly can.” (H/T BJPenn.com)

While both men are entering their mid-30s, the pair are also coming off their own respective wins over good opponents. A win could see either Gaethje or Poirier fighting for gold next.

Who wins, Justin Gaethje or Dustin Poirier?

Dustin Poirier preparing for future title fight with Islam Makhachev: ‘I’d have an interim belt, a BMF belt, and undisputed belt’

Whilst admitting that incoming UFC 289 co-headliner, Beneil Dariush would likely leave himself undeniable for a crack at lightweight gold with a win over former champion, Charles Oliveira next weekend, former interim champion, Dustin Poirier confirms he still plans to tackle for gold against Islam Makhachev in the future. Poirier, the current #2 ranked lightweight […]

Poirier, the current #2 ranked lightweight contender, is slated to headline UFC 291 at the end of July in Salt Lake City, Utah –taking on fellow former interim gold holder, Justin Gaethje in a symbolic BMF championship rematch at the Delta Center.

Sidelined since November of last year, Lafayette striker, Dustin Poirier most recently landed an impressive submission win over former title chaser, Michael Chandler – stopping the veteran with a third round rear-naked choke triumph at UFC 281 in Madison Square Garden.

Dustin Poirier eyes future undisputed title pursuit

Defending the status of the BMF strap – which the above-mentioned, Gaethje recently scoffed at and mocked ealier this week, Poirier claimed he would hang the belt in the house if he emerges victorious in their July rematch, before hunting for an elusive undisputed lightweight crown.

“I think the winner of this fight with me and (Justin) Gaethje is next in line after the winner of Charles (Oliveira) and Beneil (Dariush),” Dustin Poirier told MMA Junkie. “We can’t deny Beneil. If he goes out there and gets his hand raised [at UFC 289], come on. The guy’s done so much. He deserves to get a crack at that belt. But that’s my goal is to have all the belts. I’d have an interim belt, a ‘BMF’ belt, and undisputed belt. Let’s go.”

As for Makhachev, the undisputed lightweight titleholder has yet to return to the Octagon since he landed his first successful defense of the crown, landing a competitive unanimous decision win over his featherweight counterpart, Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 284 in Perth, Australia back in February.

Yet to booked to make his Octagon comeback, the American Kickboxing Academy staple has been earmarked to headline UFC 294 in October in the Middle East.