Justin Gaethje has no regrets about fighting Max Holloway instead of waiting for Dustin Poirier to win the title.
Gaethje defeated Poirier with a vicious head kick KO last year to win the BMF title and elevate his status in the lightweight title picture. Poirier bounced back from his loss with a highlight-reel knockout victory over rising contender Benoit St. Denis at UFC 299 last month and looked set for another title shot.
Gaethje also has a legitimate shot at winning the next lightweight gold medal, but “The Highlight” put Gaethje’s BMF strap on the line against Max Holloway at UFC 300 earlier this month. Champion Islam Makhachev is determined to defend his title this summer, so the winner of that fight is unlikely to come from behind.
Gaethje admitted that by accepting the booking to fight Holloway at UFC 300, he has ruled out another title shot. Makhachev will defend his title against Poirier in the main event of UFC 302 on June 1st at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
But despite the knockout loss, Gaethje has no regrets about taking on Holloway. Gaethje further stated that it would not have been possible to fight Makhachev this summer regardless of the outcome of the match with Holloway. Gaethje previously admitted he would be frustrated with Poirier taking his next shot, but now insists he is happy with ‘The Diamond’.
“It’s a crazy game,” Gaethje said. MMA knockout. “A lot of people in my position would have stayed out of that fight and waited for a title fight. But I have no regrets. It was a lot of fun. This was a huge, historic card for the UFC. I think being a member of that team and having the best fight on that card will live on forever.
“Again, it was a big risk. I failed. If I had won that fight, if I had been able to get knocked out right away, I would have done that.
Justin Gaethje Weighs in on Dustin Poirier Getting Title Shot Against Islam Makhachev Fight. I would fight that fight. But that’s just the name of the game. I’m happy for Dustin, he was good too, someone had to fight Makhachev. It doesn’t matter if I win or lose, obviously if I win, it will be impossible to turn the game around in five or six weeks. This is the path the UFC wanted to take, so I don’t think we can complain about this. ”