UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje sounded off on UFC president Dana White, blaming him for the messy situation now facing the lightweight division.
With current UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov retired and the company seemingly unwilling to strip him of the title, Gaethje expressed dismay at the situation facing the division, and placed the blame firmly on his boss's shoulders. Gaethje credited poor negotiations for sabotaging the company's relationship with both Poirier, and Tony Ferguson.
“The reason why this is happening with Poirier is because Dana White used, he tried to, he did, he (explicit) Tony (Ferguson) and Dustin,” Gaethje commented (h/t MMA Junkie) “He said (explicit) you guys, I’m going to take Chandler, and he’s going to be the backup for this title fight. That all happened four months ago. We are humans, we have principles, we have morals, and that’s what that is. That’s why Dustin Poirier is saying (he won’t fight Chandler). Well, I would assume. I don’t talk to the guy."
“He didn’t just (explicit) Dustin Poirier, He didn’t just (explicit) on Tony Ferguson. He (explicit) on every single (explicit) fighter that wants to do it right and wants integrity to the sport, and that’s why Dustin Poirier is talking like he is.”
Despite these wide-ranging complaints, Gaethje expressed that he is quite happy fighting in the UFC, and has no interest in fighting anywhere else.
“I’m happy. I’m not dissatisfied,” Gaethje said. “I don’t want to fight anywhere else. This is the company to showcase your skills at the highest level. I try to be a company man since Day 1.”
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