Justin Gaethje Wants Poirier Next, Believes He Can KO Islam Makhachev

Justin Gaethje‘s gearing up for a title run, and the UFC star tells us he has the ability to dethrone champ Islam Makhachev … however he is aware of he has to earn the struggle, and he is able to run via Dustin Poirier to show his worthiness!

34-year-old Gaethje, the #3 ranked UFC light-weight, joined Babcock on the “TMZ Sports” TV present (airs weekdays on FS1) … the place we talked about all the things from who he needs subsequent, to how he’d fare in opposition to the present champ, to how for much longer he sees himself combating, and Conor McGregor just lately calling him “handicap” on Twitter.

On who Gaethje, who’s coming off a dominating win over fellow contender Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286 in March, needs subsequent:

“I think that’s the obvious choice, Dustin. He’s sitting at number 2 right now, I gave the new guys a chance and I proved that I am elite, and I need to fight elite fighters to fight for a belt. I think Dustin’s the obvious choice. I think the loser of Dariush and Oliveira is also an option, but outside of those two, I do not see an option.”

FYI, Justin and Dustin fought back in 2018 … a traditional struggle that Poirier gained by fourth-round TKO.

Of course, Islam, who was simply in battle with 145 lb. king Alex Volkanovski (Makhachev gained by the thinnest margin), is the light-weight champ. We requested Justin how a struggle between the boys would look.

“I think [Islam is] a hard fight for anybody. Just create damage. I’d have to fight the perfect fight,” Gaethje advised us, including he acknowledges he would not be on the Dagestani fighter’s degree in the case of “submission grappling,” however Justin believes together with his energy, he can shut anybody’s lights out.

“I think I can knock him out. I think I can knock anybody out with the power that I possess.”

We requested Gaethje, who lost by submission to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020 at UFC 254, to match The Eagle and Makhachev.

“I think they’re very similar. I think the biggest difference is Islam has been finished. He’s lost a fight. He’s been finished. So that aura of invincibility is there, but it’s not based on 100% facts like Khabib has, I think that’s the biggest factor, the biggest difference.”

We additionally talked to Gaethje about retirement.

“I have never thought about retirement. I haven’t thought about my life after retirement. I’m still working for the goal that I’ve set for myself,” Justin stated, explaining he has religion that his household and associates would inform him when it is time to dangle up the gloves. But, that is seemingly years away, based on JG, who believes he is simply hitting his stride as a fighter.

“34, I think we are at our peak, mentally, physically. Between 34 and 36, so I can’t see myself being done in the next two years. I’d say two to four years is def a timeline that makes sense. I’m not trying to fight when I’m 40, and after 36, I don’t see myself getting better.”

Lastly, Conor just lately tweeted “Justin Gaethje is a handicap,” earlier than deleting the message shortly after. We requested JG for his response.

“One of my best approaches in life is to make everybody think you’re stupid and then go into a conversation or situation where you can take advantage of everybody feeling like that. It plays perfectly into my hands. I love when people think I’m handicapped or dumb — that’s not a guy, I don’t believe I’ll ever fight him.”

Gaethje vs. McGregor is a struggle followers clamored over for years … however Justin says the man merely does not need to step foot in The Octagon with him.