Justin Gaethje has acknowledged that he would need to carefully consider a potential third fight against Dustin Poirier. The two lightweight legends have faced off twice before, each securing a knockout victory—Poirier won their first meeting in April 2018, while Gaethje claimed the BMF title in their rematch at UFC 291.
Poirier retired last year at 37 following three consecutive losses, including a BMF title fight versus Max Holloway at UFC 318. Meanwhile, Gaethje, slightly older by three months, recently captured his second interim lightweight title and expressed his desire to return to settle the rivalry between them.
Justin Gaethje demonstrated he still has plenty left when he battled Paddy Pimblett for five intense rounds to win his second interim lightweight belt at UFC 324. Positioned as the top contender for Ilya Topuria’s undisputed title, Gaethje is focused on advancing his career. Following the fight, former Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson voiced hope for a final showdown between Gaethje and Poirier, to which Poirier responded on Instagram, indicating he intends to come back for the trilogy.
In an interview with Bloody Elbow via Duelbits, Gaethje stated that although the trilogy isn’t his primary focus, he respects Poirier deeply and would take the fight if both Poirier and UFC want it. However, Gaethje remains committed to pursuing future goals rather than dwelling on past battles.
Reflecting on Gaethje’s recent victory over Pimblett, Poirier commented that the legends are still ahead of the newer fighters, suggesting the scorecard stands roughly 3-1 in favor of the seasoned veterans. Gaethje echoed this sentiment, noting that with wins over Rafael Fiziev and Paddy Pimblett, along with Poirier’s victory over Benoît Saint-Denis, they hold an edge. He also mentioned that Ilya Topuria’s win over Max Holloway narrows the gap but emphasized his desire to avenge any losses.
Fan Take: This potential trilogy between Gaethje and Poirier is highly significant as it would not only settle a fierce rivalry but also highlight a golden era of lightweight competition. For fight fans, it promises a thrilling clash of seasoned warriors and could be a defining moment in the sport’s storied history.
