Justin Gaethje: UFC botched lightweight title portray, stiffed Dustin Poirier and Tony Ferguson

By Danny Segura and John Morgan |

February 1, 2021 8: 40 pm

Justin Gaethje thinks the UFC dropped the ball in how it’s handled industry on the very high of the lightweight division.

Gaethje, the ragged UFC title challenger and novel high contender, believes the title portray at 155 kilos used to be managed poorly by the UFC and president Dana White in the previous few months.

Currently, the UFC has yet to strip champion Khabib Nurmagomedov even though he retired attend in October, and No. 1 contender Dustin Poirier has expressed discontent and is refusing to fight ragged Bellator champion Michael Chandler.

Gaethje (22-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) thinks the originate of this conundrum began at UFC 256 attend in October when he challenged Nurmagomedov for the title in Abu Dhabi.

“The motive here’s occurring with Poirier is on myth of Dana White used, he tried to, he did, he (inform) Tony (Ferguson) and Dustin,” Gaethje suggested MMA Junkie on Monday. “He stated (inform) you guys, I’m going to preserve Chandler, and he’s going to be the backup for this title fight. That every one took discipline four months ago. We are humans, we now possess principles, we now possess morals, and that’s what that’s. That’s why Dustin Poirier is announcing (he acquired’t fight Chandler). Well, I’d take. I don’t search advice from the fellow.

“He didn’t correct (inform) Dustin Poirier, He didn’t correct (inform) on Tony Ferguson. He (inform) on every single (inform) fighter that need to cease it factual and desires integrity to the game, and that’s why Dustin Poirier is speaking handle he’s.”

Gaethje thinks the UFC’s resolution to attain the newly signed Chandler a backup fighter for his UFC 256 title fight, while also no longer taking the mandatory steps to finalize the booking between Tony Ferguson and Poirier in the co-primary tournament, rubbed many lightweights the unsuitable draw.

Ferguson, sad with the possibility, went on to fight and lose to Charles Oliveira this previous December, several weeks after UFC 256. Meanwhile, Poirier ended up combating closing month and avenged his 2014 loss to Conor McGregor with a TKO preserve at UFC 257. Afterward, Poirier expressed losing pastime in the fight sport politics and stated he refuses to fight Chandler.

“That’s correct the truth. You bear in mind how upset Tony and Dustin had been after they didn’t establish that fight collectively (at UFC 256),” Gaethje stated. “They had been maybe $50,000 or $100,000 off one amongst their contracts, and they didn’t establish the contract collectively and those guys had been ready to fight.

“They establish it in the public, and that (inform) is never any longer factual. I don’t handle that as a fighter. I don’t handle that as an employee. Well, I’m no (inform) employee but being someone that presents my products and companies to the firm. That’s no longer frigid. You don’t desire to head attempting that. … I correct know that’s why Dustin is announcing what he’s announcing, and that’s why he acquired’t fight Chandler for the title factual now on myth of they did that (inform) in October. I don’t understand it, but I’m honest obvious.”

Irrespective of thinking the UFC didn’t handle the title portray neatly, Gaethje is by no means sad with the UFC. He’s happy he acquired paid effectively for the UFC 254 title fight, and he’s itching to safe booked to fight again so he can jump attend from the loss to Nurmagomedov.

“I’m happy. I’m no longer dissatisfied,” Gaethje stated. “I don’t desire to fight wherever else. Here is the firm to showcase your abilities on the splendid stage. I strive to be a firm man since Day 1.”