Justin Gaethje believes title shots should only be awarded to someone coming off a win. So, the former interim lightweight champ is hoping to return to the win column, by taking out the winner of Conor McGregor – Dustin Poirier 2.
Gaethje wants winner of McGregor – Poirier rematch
The 32-year-old Gaethje is waiting to find out who he’ll fight next, after he came up short in his title bid against Khabib Nurmagomedov.
After stopping Tony Ferguson to win the interim belt this past May, Gaethje battled the champ Khabib at UFC 254. The latter, however, retained the title by catching Gaethje with a fight ending, triangle-choke.
Well, fast forward to today, and it’s not clear who Gaethje will fight next. But, while talking to The Schmo recently, the punishing striker said this (quotes via BJ Penn.com).
“I’m number one so of course I want to fight for that f*****g belt, that’s why I’m here.
Poirier and McGregor are fighting soon so I want to fight the winner of that,” Gaethje said.
“I wholeheartedly believe you should be coming off a win to fight for a belt. So my job now is to get a win.”
“I want to fight for the belt and if it is the winner of that fight then I would, in turn, need to beat somebody first.
But, I’ll definitely just fight the winner for the belt, I’m down for that, too,” Gaethje added.
Will Gaethje get his wish?
So, there’s no question that a gazillion people would love to see Gaethje and McGregor fight. Of course there would also be considerable interest in seeing Gaethje trying to avenge his 2018, stoppage loss to Poirier.
Ultimately, however, who is next for him will likely depend on whether Khabib is retired, for sure, and if not, who he wants to fight.
It’s hard to imagine Khabib changing course and calling for a bout with either McGregor or Poirier; he’s repeatedly cited the fact he’s defeated them and therefore he’s not interested in rematches.
But, if say, Conor beats Poirier, and if, hypothetically, Khabib did agree to fight his rival again, then obviously Gaethje would be out.
Another factor here could be what happens in this Saturday’s UFC 256 fight between Tony Ferguson and Charles Oliveira.
Could the winner, especially if its Oliveira, advance to a title fight with the winner of McGregor – Poirier 2? ‘Do Bronx’ has won seven in a row.
McGregor – Poirier 2 is going down on January 23rd in the headliner of UFC 257.
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