Justin Gaethje: Dustin Poirier ‘has done a lot in this sport’, can’t complain every time he gets UFC title shot

Justin Gaethje There is no bitterness towards Dustin Poirier to get the next title shot.

Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) knocked out Poirier last July at UFC 291 to position himself as the No. 1 contender, but opted to take another fight rather than wait. He was knocked out by Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April. On the same night, Arman Tsarukyan defeated Charles Oliveira.

Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) defeated Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299 in March, and ended up getting his next title shot after Tsarukyan was unable to mount a quick comeback. “The Diamond” challenges lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) in the main event of UFC 302 on June 1 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ

“I think under the circumstances, he deserves it,” Gaethje said in Poirier in an interview with Title Sports Network. “The two contenders that came, Max Holloway and Arman Tsarukyan, just fought.

“Tsarukyan was not (willing to change quickly, so) Poirier is the next best option. He’s done so much in this sport that you can’t complain when he gets a title shot.”

Both Gaethje and Poirier were submitted by Makhachev’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, in title fights. While “The Highlight” doesn’t consider Makhachev and Nurmagomedov’s styles to be identical, he does say that cardio will be key for Poirier.

“Well, we’ve both been there with Khabib, so we have an idea,” Gaethje said. “They are obviously not the same fighter. They don’t fight the same styles. But both are very heavy fighters. You really just need to trust your ability to fight throughout the fight.

“If your cardio is there and you know you can survive these attacks, then eventually you will get back up and be able to do damage if you are in good shape.”

For more information on the cards, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 302.

This story originally appeared on MMA Junkie