“Charles Oliveira is not Khabib Nurmagomedov” – Justin Gaethje Gives His Take on the UFC Lightweight Title Fight Against Dustin Poirier

Justin Gaethje returns to the octagon at UFC 268 to face former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler.

The #2 ranked lightweight last entered the octagon when he took on the then UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. He lost the fight via submission because of a rear-naked choke in the second round. That was Gaethje’s first loss by submission in his career.

The former interim UFC lightweight champion recently appeared on the UFC unfiltered podcast with Jim Norton and Megan Olivi. On the podcast, Gaethje was asked about what he thought about the matchup between Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier, taking place at UFC 269.

Gaethje favors Dustin to come out on top against the UFC lightweight champion. Justin said, “Poirier being a southpaw, it is always funky when you face southpaws. It is a bit different; you don’t see them often. He does a great job at controlling range. Oliveira is not Khabib. He doesn’t march forward and march through things to close that distance. He really needs you to either choose to take him down, or he needs you to buy into the grappling with him and go into the clinch.”

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Gaethje let his feelings on ‘Do Bronx’ known as well. He is not sold on Oliveira and would love to fight him. ‘The Highlight’ said, “I would love to fight Charles Oliveira because I will show you what I’m saying. He’s a quitter. He showed it to you in the Michael Chandler fight. At the end of the first round, he wasn’t looking good, and he didn’t want to be there.”

He might just get his chance if he gets through Chandler and Oliveira beats Poirier.

What the future can look like for Justin Gaethje?

Justin Gaethje is not a fighter who shies away from a fight. He has won 19 of his 25 fights via knockout and is always ready to dish it out. His next opponent, Michael Chandler, is also one fighter who likes to put on a show for the fans. 17 of the 22 wins in his career have come via a stoppage, out of which 10 have been knockouts. His most recent one being in UFC debut against lightweight Dan Hooker.

The fans will be in for a treat as both fighters are certainly going to go all out. Both of them are coming off losses in their previous fights and would love to get a W next to their name.

Chandler, in the buildup to the fight, said, “I think we go out there, we find out who takes the first backward step, we get into a brawl and we have a blast. I’m going to come forward, I’m going to get in (Gaethje’s) face, I’m going to take the center of the octagon. I’m ready for violence, I’m ready for bloodshed, and I’m ready for action to give the fans at home a phenomenal show.”

Justin Gaethje responded to the comments made by Chandler and said nothing he says would change his approach. ‘The Highlight’ acknowledged it would be a dangerous fight, as Chandler is an explosive and athletic fighter.

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The winner of the Gaethje and Chandler fight will be the favorite to fight for the title next.

What do you think of Justin’s comments about Poirier vs. Oliveira? Let us know your thoughts!