Dustin Poirier reveals he would consider a rematch against Justin Gaethje
‘It’s a fight that makes me NERVOUS’: Dustin Poirier talks up a rematch with Justin Gaethje and says he is ‘motivated’ to face his old rival again – having stopped him in their enthralling encounter in 2018
- Dustin Poirer admitted he would be willing to face Justin Gaethje in a rematch
- Poirer stopped Gaethje in 2018 and said the match-up makes him ‘nervous’
- He said he was motivated to fight him again and would consider any offer
Dustin Poirer has opened the door to a rematch against Justin Gaethje – admitting the prospect of facing his rival again makes him ‘nervous’ and ‘motivated’.
The Diamond stopped Gaethje with fierce knockout in 2018 in one of the fights of the year as both men produced an all-out war inside the cage to enthral fans – who are now craving a second clash between the pair.
Poirier seemed excited at the prospect of going toe-to-toe with Gaethje again – saying he would consider it if he received a call offering it to him.
‘It’s a fight that makes me nervous,’ he told Fansided MMA.
‘When I hear a name and I get nervous it’s motivation — It’s the same thing with Chandler. When I heard Chandler’s name when they called me with Michael Chandler, I was nervous because I knew the dangers of those kinds of fights and that’s what motivates me.
Dustin Poirier has opened the door to a possible rematch against Justin Gaethje (right)
The pair enjoyed an enthralling contest in 2018 – with Poirier won by stoppage – and he admits the thought of a second fight makes him ‘nervous’
‘Same thing with Justin. If they do call me and he’s the name that they say, maybe it happens. We’ll see.’
Poirer and Gaethje’s last fight lasted four rounds, with the duo lashing out at each other with a series of punches and leg kicks before a late flurry from the former saw him stop the fight.
Poirier will feel confident he can overcome Gaethje once again having won four of his last five fights – with his only defeat coming against Charles Oliviera, who beat him by submission at UFC 269 in 2021.
Meanwhile, Gaethje – who also lost to Oliveira after they faced off at UFC 274 last year – returned to winning ways at UFC 286 on the undercard of Edwards v Usman as he claimed a decision win over Rafael Fiziev.
Poirier has also talked up a fight against Islam Makhachev in recent months – replying to his tweet asking ‘who is next?’ after he defeated Alexander Volkanovski via decision last month.
Poirier simply said: ‘What’s up?’ – suggesting he was keen to set up a clash against the Russian lightweight champion.
The winner of any fight between Poirier and Gaejthe would certainly see themselves move one step closer to a shot at Makhachev.