Dustin Poirier is hours away from his final MMA fight when he finishes his trilogy with Max Holloway at lightweight, as he attempts to sweep the series.<\/p>\n
Another opponent on Poirier’s UFC resume, however, is former “BMF” champion Justin Gaethje. Unlike Holloway, both men are 1-1, with Gaethje having won the latter fight at UFC 291 with an emphatic head-kick KO in July 2023. <\/p>\n
Poirier initially didn’t want to fight Holloway, according to a podcast interview with The Danza Project. Poirier wanted Gaethje and a chance to exact revenge, rather than beat someone again who he hadn’t lost to prior.<\/p>\n
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Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Dustin Poirier (blue gloves) reacts during the fight against Islam Makhachev (red gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images \/ Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
\u201cOriginally, when I told them I wanted to retire, I wanted to fight Justin,\u201d Poirier said. \u201cWe\u2019re 1-1. I didn\u2019t wanna end my career being 1-1, leaving that kind of open.<\/p>\n
Poirier said it’s a fight he had sought out since the loss, until a change of heart came his way.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted a rubber match,” Poirier said. “I wanted somebody to be up on somebody. I wanted to get my get-back on him. I knocked him out, he knocked me out\u2026we\u2019ve gotta do it again.”<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Max Holloway reveals 2 UFC legends he’d like to face in one night<\/a><\/p>\n Gaethje had other plans, which included an eventual win against late-replacement Rafael Fiziev earlier this spring. After watching an interview, Poirier realized it would be wise if he and “The Highlight” didn’t lock horns once again.<\/p>\n “I wanted to fight Justin\u2026then I saw him do an interview and he said, \u2018You know what, if Dustin\u2019s okay with it being 1-1, I\u2019m okay with it,” Poirier recalled. “Let\u2019s shake hands. Our families don\u2019t deserve (for) us to get in another head-on collision.\u2019”<\/p>\n Poirier then thought about longevity, ultimately agreeing with his former foe.<\/p>\n “I was like, \u2018You know what? If he\u2019s okay with it, I\u2019m okay with it.\u2019 When you put it like that, somebody\u2019s gonna get hurt. We\u2019re both not young in the game. We both have a lot of wars under our belt,” Poirier said.<\/p>\n Jul 29, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) reacts to defeating Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 291 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-Imagn Images \/ Jeff Swinger-Imagn Images<\/p>\n The trilogy bout with Holloway wraps up a 14-fight card from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA.<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Manny Pacquiao confirms interest in retirement superfight, denies RIZIN rumors<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC triple-champ? Fans react as Alex Pereira fuels heavyweight rumors<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0George Groves warns Dana White and Turki Alalshikh won\u2019t fix boxing<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Ex-UFC double champ says Tom Aspinall stuck in Jon Jones’ shadow<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n