Justin Gaethje says he respects Conor McGregor’s skills, but admits he had fun with his defeat to Dustin Poirier.
McGregor (22-5 MMA, 10-3 UFC) suffered a TKO loss in the second round to Poirier in the UFC 257 main event, putting an interesting twist on the promotion’s lightweight title image.
Gaethje (22-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC), who has campaigned to face McGregor in the past, cannot help but like to see McGregor fall, and he could not contain his feelings about “The Notorious” in addressing the result and McGregor’s subsequent call for an immediate fight trilogy with Poirier.
“I think he is an elite fighter,” Gaethje recently told ESPN. “In what position did they rank you, six? I think he should be ahead of Tony (Ferguson) in the ranking. But for him to come out and say he wants a shot at the next title, a rematch against Poirier and his coach, they are (bad words) idiots. He was treated in a special way repeatedly and did not take advantage of that opportunity. That event was for him. That event was for him to win, and he wants to be Mr. Humble now, but you know he would be a (expletive) if he won that fight.
“So I don’t feel bad for him. I’m happy for Poirier. I’m glad that Poirier went there and did his job and ended it. I love to see a chatterbox being knocked out. There is nothing that makes me happier. Seeing a piece of (expletive) put on the floor was great. I loved.”
According to the head of SBG Ireland, John Kavanagh, McGregor expressed his desire to complete the trilogy with Poirier, and it seems that Poirier reciprocates those same feelings.
But if the UFC really goes in that direction, Gaethje says he would be absolutely outraged.
“I would think of never fighting in the UFC again if he fights for the title again,” said Gaethje. “That would be absurd. On the one hand, he is in sixth place, won a fight all his life at lightweight and chooses who to fight with. So I have no respect for him that way. “
Gaethje said he is interested in fighting McGregor at some point, but he is not sure it will be his next yellow card. With Michael Chandler making a splash on his UFC debut, starring Charles Oliveira in the title shot and Poirier at the top of the ranking, Gaethje is excited about the future of the category as he maps out his climb for an opportunity to avenge his defeat for “The Diamond. “
“It was an incredible weekend for us lightweights,” said Gaethje. “It really shook up the category. It will really make the UFC, the matchmakers get together and have some ideas. There are many options – I saw that they put Dustin ahead of me in the rankings, deservedly. He has one, I have two, Charles has three, Chandler four. No matter what happens, I have to get revenge on Poirier, so I’ll make it, no matter how I get there. “