“I KO’d Dustin Poirier!” Justin Gaethje doesn’t rule out immediate title shot despite devastating loss at UFC 300

Despite the loss to Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje remains optimistic about the future.

“I KO’d Dustin Poirier!” Justin Gaethje doesn’t rule out immediate title shot despite devastating loss at UFC 300

Dustin Poirier's title shot a blessing in disguise for Justin Gaethje (Image via: IMAGO)

Justin Gaethje won a $300K bonus at UFC 300 but lost a lot more in his defeat to Max Holloway. The loss put him back in the pecking order of title contenders at lightweight. To add insult to injury, Dustin Poirier, whom he knocked out to become the BMF champion, bagged a title shot against Islam Makhachev.

Nonetheless, Gaethje has no qualms about his decision to fight Holloway the way he did, as it was the promise he had given the fans. ‘The Highlight’ also does not hold any regrets for the fight. Moreover, he does not think the loss ended his championship aspirations at lightweight.

I know for a fact that my skills are still there… as long as I have that skill and that desire, then I see no reason to not fight again… my potential to fight for a belt is definitely diminished, however it’s not impossible. I knocked out Dustin Poirier now he’s fighting for a belt. You never know what this sport’s gonna bring.
Justin Gaethje via his YouTube channel
YouTube video

Despite the loss to Max Holloway, he did land severe leg kicks and damaged the legs of ‘Blessed.’ Nonetheless, Gaethje has no immediate plans to return to the octagon due to the brutal nature of the knockout. He stated the dangers of successive concussions as the reason for his decision.

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After the loss, Jorge Masvidal, the former BMF champion, expressed interest in a fight with Gaethje. Masvidal had retired at UFC 287 but expressed interest in returning to MMA after Gaethje became the BMF champion at UFC 290. However, Gaethje has no interest in the fight, and it has a low chance of happening.

Related: “I’m right here bro!’ Dustin Poirier hilariously recalls ‘funeral’ after Justin Gaethje head kick KO loss

Justin Gaethje praises Max Holloway’s performance at UFC 300

Max Holloway was the biggest winner at UFC 300. For his performance on the PPV, the Hawaiian fighter bagged a $600k bonus and put himself in title contention in two weight divisions. As the underdog in the fight, nobody expected Holloway to outclass Justin Gaethje.

Justin Gaethje talks about his war against Max Holloway at UFC 300
Justin Gaethje talks about his war against Max Holloway at UFC 300 (via Imago)

Holloway’s performance received applause and admiration from the nooks and corners of the MMA community. Justin Gaethje was no different, as he recently lavished praise on the man who knocked him out at the coveted PPV.

Max [Holloway] was very good that night...He was very hard to touch, very hard to punch, very hard to read...he fought such a good fight and being so patient that, you know, I really altered the way that I thought the fight was going to go...he was just so good that night that, you know, I couldn't find an answer. So, you know, serious mad props to him. I've been a huge fan of that guy for a long time.
Justin Gaethje via his YouTube channel
YouTube video

Gaethje had the gameplan of baiting the Hawaiian into exchanges and catching on the break. However, the Hawaiian fighter remained elusive throughout the fight. Nonetheless, he did land powerful leg kicks and dropped Holloway, though not counted on the UFC stats. If the stars align, a rematch could happen further down the line.

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