Justin Gaethje says he respects Conor McGregor’s skills, but admits he reveled in his defeat to Dustin Poirier.
McGregor (22-5 MMA, 10-3 UFC) suffered a second TKO loss to Poirier in the UFC 257 main event, which made an interesting turn in the promotional lightweight title photo.
Gaethje (22-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC), who had previously campaigned to face McGregor, could not help but see McGregor undergo, and he did not hold back his feelings towards “The Notorious” when he did not address the outcome and McGregor’s subsequent call for an immediate trilogy fight with Poirier.
“I think he’s an elite fighter,” Gaethje told ESPN recently. ‘On what did they classify him, six? I think he should be Tony (Ferguson) at the top of the rankings. But for him to come out and say he wants a next title, a rematch against Poirier and his coach, these are (explicit) idiots. He was specially treated over and over and over, and he did not take advantage of this opportunity. That event was for him. The event had to win for him, and he now wants to be Mr. Humble, but you know he would be an (explicit) if he won the fight.
So I do not feel bad for him. I’m happy for Poirier. I’m glad Poirier went out there and did his job and finished. I love seeing a hard mouth pounded out. There is nothing that makes me happier. To see a piece (explicitly) put down, it was amazing. I loved it. “
According to John Kavanagh, head of SBG Ireland, McGregor has expressed his desire to complete the trilogy with Poirier, and it appears that Poirier is repaying the same sentiments.
But if the UFC is indeed going in that direction, Gaethje says he will be absolutely furious.
“I would think of never fighting in the UFC again if he was fighting for a title again,” Gaethje said. “It’s going to be ridiculous. For one, he sits at number 6, he has won one fight in his entire life in the lightweight division, and he picks and picks who he fights. So I have no respect for him. ”
Gaethje said he is interested in fighting McGregor at some point, but is not sure it should be his next discussion. With Michael Chandler making a U-turn in his UFC debut, the streak of Charles Oliveira in the title photo, and Poirier sitting at the top of the rankings, Gaethje is excited about the future of the division as he charts his climb for ‘ an opportunity to avenge his loss. and “The Diamond.”
“It was a wonderful weekend for our lightweights,” Gaethje said. “It really shook the divisions. This is going to really make the UFC, the matchmakers are coming together and coming up with some ideas. There are a lot of options – I saw them move Dustin up the rankings in front of me, well deserved. He’s one, me two, Charles three, Chandler four. No matter what, I have to take revenge on Poirier, so I’m going to make it there, no matter how I get there. ”