D. Poirier criticizes J. Gaethe for underestimating the interim belt. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
O UFC 254 passed, but the gesture of Justin gaethje by refusing to carry the interim lightweight belt (70,3kg), because it was not the linear one, he upset some athletes. Dustin poirier was one of them. 'The Diamond', who had been criticized by the same Gaethje, for valuing this title, responded vehemently.
In an interview with the podcast Remember the Show, Belal Muhammad |, Poirier does not regret his attitude, as he is proud and values everything he has achieved throughout his career and thinks that his compatriot was disrespectful in denying something that many athletes dream of having.
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“I knew I had a bit of a world title, but I’m not an idiot. I also knew that I wasn't the champion, but I was grateful for the years of work, the position I reached and having the interim belt. I've been in the sport since my WEC days. I feel proud of what I achieved. Seeing Gaethje say he had a fake belt and refusing to carry it was bad. It's not about fighting. You have to understand, value the position you find yourself in and be grateful for everything. He could have embraced what he has and not acted like an idiot by throwing the belt on the floor and saying he wanted the real one. The interim is a piece of the real. That was very disrespectful! I honor and value my work. That's why I've always carried the interim belt with pride. Gaethje could have made better use of his time with him,” Poirier said.
Despite the different approaches regarding the interim lightweight belt, Dustin poirier e Justin gaethje suffered the same fate. The first was completed by Khabib Nurmagomedov, number one in the category, in the third round, in 2019. The second succumbed in the same way, in the second round, in 2020.
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