Jorge Masvidal’s dream is to give the BMF belt to his teammate Dustin Poirier at UFC 291, but Justin Gaethje is determined to win the rematch and deny Masvidal the opportunity.
Jorge Masvidal’s ultimate goal is to see his longtime teammate, Dustin Poirier, wear the BMF belt at UFC 291. Justin Gaethje, however, has different plans and aims to prevent Masvidal from achieving this dream. The much-awaited rematch between Poirier and Gaethje will be for the prestigious silver belt, something Masvidal had initially gained. Gaethje’s plan is to make up for his 2018 defeat to Poirier and win, leaving Masvidal no choice but to acknowledge the victory by awarding the promotional title.
During a recent open workout held in preparation for the upcoming pay-per-view headliner at Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Gaethje mentioned how eager he is to make Masvidal handle the awards ceremony. Gaethje, on the other hand, understands that it won’t be a simple win, and for a good reason. The duo’s first lightweight fight was anything but straightforward, leaving both fighters bruised and battered until Poirier finally stopped Gaethje in the fourth round. This fight was voted the Fight of the Year in 2018.
Gaethje has been training with Poirier at the American Top Team for several years. He was the first holder of the BMF title, which he won in 2019, following a successful bout with Nate Diaz at UFC 244. Initially, the BMF title was thought to be a one-time thing for UFC. However, the rematch between Poirier and Gaethje has brought it back into prominence.
In recent years, Gaethje has focused on minimizing his aggression to protect his physical and mental wellbeing. He believes he must approach the fight strategically and avoid making any mistakes. Gaethje is confident that this rematch with Poirier will play out differently, given their growth and advancements over the last five years. In light of a significant win against top contender Rafael Fiziev, Gaethje is hoping to continue the winning streak. But his primary focus remains the championship belt and not the BMF title.