Dustin Poirier is not of the same mentality as UFC 291 opponent Justin Gaethje when it comes to the “BMF” title.
Poirier (29-7 MMA, 21-6 UFC) and Gaethje (24-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) are set to meet in a five-round main event of July 29 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City in what will be a rematch of their thrilling 2018 Fight of the Year from UFC on FOX 29, which saw Poirier emerge victorious by fourth-round TKO.
The pair of lightweight contenders will run it back in a pay-per-view headliner, and the UFC brass decided to raise the stakes by bringing the “BMF” title back in the wake of inaugural champion Jorge Masvidal’s retirement from MMA competition earlier this year.
The “BMF” belt was polarizing from the moment it was introduced ahead of Masvidal’s victory over Nate Diaz at UFC 244 in November 2019, and the organization’s decision to bestow it upon Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 has come with mixed reaction.
Poirier played no part on the decision to put the title on the line, he said, but he sees the logic in it given he and Gaethje have a combined 24 Fight of the Night bonuses under the UFC banner.
“It is what it is,” Poirier told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “I’ve seen people excited about the ‘BMF’ title. I’ve seen people talking sh*t about it. To me, if you look at our track record, look at Justin’s history, look at my history. It just makes sense. … All the Fight of the Year contenders we’ve been in. He has other ones from other organizations coming into the UFC, Fight of the Year contenders. It just makes sense. This is going to be a great fight.”
Gaethje recently made headlines with his take on the “BMF” belt, revealing that he thinks it’s “kind of stupid,” but sees the financial upside to it with the pay-per-view points that will drive move revenue into his pocket.
Poirier, 34, said the financial portion wasn’t a significant part of his reaction process because he’s happy with his contract situation with the UFC, but he likes the idea of getting another notable prize to add to his combat sports resume.
“It never crossed my mind that I would be fighting for a ‘BMF’ belt, but it’s awesome,” Poirier said. “I would love to hang it up in my living room. … I don’t think the ‘BMF” belt’s stupid. I like it. And it’s going to get wrapped around my waist.”
UFC analyst Daniel Cormier has already called for the Poirier vs. Gaethje winner to defend the “BMF” belt in the aftermath of UFC 291. Poitier said he hasn’t thought that far ahead, but he didn’t rule out the possibility, either.
What Poirier ultimately hopes with a second win over Gaethje, is a look toward a new prize that he doesn’t have. The former interim 155-pound titleholder has gone 0-2 in his career when challenging for the undisputed strap, with submission losses against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. He wants a third opportunity.
Poirier is understanding of the current lightweight title picture, with Islam Makhachev likely waiting to fight at UFC 294 in October against the winner of Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush, who meet at UFC 289 on June 10 in Vancouver. However, he thinks beating Gaethje puts him right behind in the queue.
“I think the winner of this fight with me and Gaethje is next in line after the winner of Charles and Beneil,” Poirier said. “We can’t deny Beneil. If he goes out there and gets his hand raise, come on. The guy’s done so much. He deserves to get a crack at that belt. But that’s my goal is to have all the belts. I’d have an interim belt, a ‘BMF’ belt, and undisputed belt. Let’s go.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 291.
