Justin Gaethje’s fight with Dustin Poirier three years ago was what many fans and media outlets picked for “fight of the year” in 2018. And it seems like “The Highlight” expects to be running that one back with Ultimate Fighting Championship gold on the line next year.
Justin Gaethje vs Dustin Poirier for the title in 2022?
On Tuesday, a UFC observer tweeted to the two former interim lightweight champions about hopes for a rematch of their UFC on FOX 29 war. Unfortunately, that is an unlikely scenario in the near future since “The Diamond” is in line for a title fight with current division king Charles Oliveira next, and Gaethje is set for a matchup with new rival Michael Chandler in November at UFC 268.
However, Gaethje, 32, responded to the fan tweet with an outline of what he thinks his schedule will look like over the next six to nine months, and it includes a rematch with Poirier.
https://twitter.com/Justin_Gaethje/status/1425589544259227649
“[Dustin Poirier] will KO [Charles Oliveira] in December. After I break [Michael Chandler] on Nov 6th at any venue on the planet, I will get my rematch and you will see a replay of the best fight that happened on earth in 2018. That’s a year to look forward to,” Gaethje wrote.
Poirier, 32, showed his support for the predictions and booking plans by retweeting the post soon after.
Poirier versus Gaethje was a back and forth war of attrition where both men did notable damage to the other. The Louisiana native landed 142 strikes to Gaethje’s head over nearly 20 minutes of action. While the former World Series of Fighting lightweight titleholder scored 50 thunderous kicks to the legs of his opponent. Poirier won the brawl by technical knockout in the fourth round. It was one of only two times that the Colorado native has been stopped by strikes in his 25-fight career.
No date or location is set for the planned lightweight championship bout between Poirier and Oliveira.
Gaethje will face Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 268, inside Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 6.
