Seeing Conor McGregor get knocked out was awesome

Justin Gaethje says he respects Conor McGregor’s skills but admits he reveled in his loss to Dustin Poirier.

McGregor (22-5 MMA, 10-3 UFC) suffered a second-round TKO loss to Poirier in the main event of UFC 257, bringing an interesting twist to the promotion’s lightweight title image.

Gaethje (22-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC), who has campaigned to face McGregor in the past, couldn’t help but enjoy watching McGregor fall apart, and he didn’t hold back his feelings. to “The Notorious” by addressing the outcome and McGregor’s subsequent call for an immediate trilogy fight with Poirier.

“I think he’s an elite fighter,” Gaethje recently told ESPN. “What did they classify him for, six?” I think he should be ahead of Tony (Ferguson) in the standings. But for him to come out and say he wants a title shot then, a rematch against Poirier, and his coach, those are idiots (swear words). He was treated as special again and again and he did not take advantage of this opportunity. This event was for him. This event was for him to win, and he wants to be Mr. Humble now, but you know it would be a (expletive) if he wins this fight.

“So I don’t feel bad for him. I’m happy for Poirier. I’m glad Poirier went there and did his job and finished it. I love to see a bigmouth get knocked out. There is nothing that makes me happier. Seeing a piece of (expletive) being posed was awesome. I liked it.”

According to SBG Ireland director John Kavanagh, McGregor has expressed his desire to complete the trilogy with Poirier, and it seems Poirier shares those same sentiments.

But if the UFC did go in that direction, Gaethje says he would be absolutely outraged.

“I would think of never fighting in the UFC if he fights for a title again,” Gaethje said. “It would be absurd. For one thing, he sits at No.6, he’s won a fight in his entire life in the lightweight division, and he picks and chooses who he fights. So I have no respect for him that way.

Gaethje has said he’s interested in fighting McGregor at some point, but he’s not sure it’s his next booking. With Michael Chandler creating a sensation on his UFC debut, Charles Oliveira’s streak in the title image and Poirier sitting atop the table, Gaethje is excited about the future of the division as he plans his mounted for an opportunity to avenge his loss. at “The Diamond”.

“It was a great weekend for us lightweight,” said Gaethje. “It really rocked the division. This is really going to make the UFC, the matchmakers get together and come up with ideas. There are a lot of options – I saw they put Dustin past me in the leaderboard, and rightly so. He’s one, I’m two, Charles has three, Chandler four. Either way, I have to take revenge on Poirier, so I’m going to get there no matter how I have to get there.