Dustin Poirier reacts to Justin Gaethje’s callout, says it’s ‘a fight that makes me nervous’
Dustin Poirier is open to rematching Justin Gaethje next time out.
Poirier and Gaethje fought in the main event of UFC on FOX 29 in 2018 in one of the most anticipated fights of the year due to their styles. In the end, it was Poirier who won by fourth-round TKO in a very fan-friendly fight and since then, many have wanted to see the rematch.
However, the fight has yet to come to fruition again but after Gaethje beat Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286, he mentioned Poirier as a possible next opponent. The scrap does make sense as the winner could get a title shot and according to Poirier, it’s a fight that makes him nervous which are the bouts he wants.
“It’s a fight that makes me nervous,” Poirier told FanSided MMA of a Gaethje rematch. “When I hear a name and I get nervous it’s motivation — 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. Same thing with Justin. If they do call me and he’s the name that they say, maybe it happens. We’ll see.”
According to Poirier, the goal is to return in the summer, and he hopes he can bring the UFC back to Louisana and New Orleans for the fight. He knows he could sell out the event and says it would be special for him to fight at home again.
“Come back to Louisiana. Let’s go to the city, let’s throw some hands,” Poirier said. “I’ve only fought for the UFC once in New Orleans. Last time they were there was like 2015 [when I fought Yancy Medeiros]. But I’m a businessman and we’ll see what kind of pay-per-view opportunities we have.”
As of right now, Poirier is still waiting for his next fight but is open to the idea of running it back with Gaethje.
