Getty UFC President Dana White.
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje isn’t exactly dissatisfied with his status as one of the top stars in the UFC, but the 32-year-old American still decided to rip UFC President Dana White anyway over his handling of the UFC’s stacked lightweight division. Gaethje suggested the way White dealt with undefeated champ Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s retirement has left the entire UFC lightweight division unhappy.
“He s*** on every single f****** fighter that wants to do it right and wants integrity to the sport. That’s what he s*** on, and that’s why Dustin Poirier is talking like he is,” Gaethje said.
You can watch MMA Junkie’s interview with Gaethje below.
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Gaethje’s Take on Lightweight Division
MMA Junkie’s John Morgan asked Gaethje how the American believed the UFC should handle filling the lightweight title.
“You wouldn’t be wrong to put Oliveira and Poirier in there,” Gaethje said.
But Gaethje thinks White began botching everything at UFC 256 in October when the American challenged Nurmagomedov for the title in Abu Dhabi.
“The reason why this is happening with Poirier is because Dana White … he f***** Tony (Ferguson) and Dustin. He said, ‘F*** you guys, I’m going to take Chandler and he’s going to be the backup for this title fight.’ That all happened three or four months ago,” Gaethje told MMA Junkie.
Gaethje said the top UFC lightweights aren’t happy with how the division has played out.
“We are humans, we have principles, we have morals, and that’s what that is. That’s why Dustin Poirier is saying (he won’t fight Chandler). I would assume. I don’t know for sure, I don’t talk to the guy,” Gaethje told MMA Junkie.
Gaethje suggested White’s decisions have drawn the ire of every UFC lightweight contender.
“He didn’t just s*** on Dustin Poirier. He didn’t just s*** on Tony Ferguson. He s*** on every single f****** fighter that does it right, that wants to do it right, that wants integrity to the sport. That’s what he s*** on, and that’s why Dustin Poirier is talking like he is,” Gaethje told MMA Junkie.
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Gaethje Doesn’t Expect a Title Shot Next
Gaethje is currently ranked No. 2 at lightweight behind Poirier, who stunningly defeated UFC superstar Conor McGregor at UFC 257. Gaethje said he’d be happy to fight Poirier next for the 155-pound title but that he didn’t expect to get that call.
“The s***** thing is that the UFC is much more likely to put Poirier and McGregor in there before they put me and Poirier in,” Gaethje told MMA Junkie.
When asked whether he was shooting himself in the foot by putting White and the rest of the UFC on blast, Gaethje said he didn’t see things that way.
“That’s just the truth. You remember how upset Tony and Dustin were when they didn’t put that fight together (at UFC 256). They were probably $50,000 or $100,000 off one of their contracts, and they didn’t put the contract together and those guys were ready to fight,” Gaethje said per MMA Junkie.
Still, the American said he’s happy to compete in the UFC and that he’s anxious to get back to action soon.
“I’m happy. I’m not dissatisfied. I don’t want to fight anywhere else. … This is the company to showcase your skills on the highest level. I try to be a company man since day one,” Gaethje told MMA Junkie.
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