Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier share wholesome backstage moment after UFC 291 KO
Gaethje beat Poirier with a stunning head kick on Saturday, avenging a 2018 loss to his fellow American
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier paid respect to one another in a wholesome moment at UFC 291 on Saturday, speaking backstage after Gaethje knocked out his fellow American.
Gaethje won the main-event bout with a stunning head kick in the second round, avenging a 2018 loss to Poirier and claiming the ‘Baddest Motherf*****’ title.
And as Gaethje spoke to TNT Sports backstage after the fight, Poirier came over to congratulate his fellow lightweight.
“Congratulations, man,” Poirier told Gaethje, patting him on the shoulder. “Bad motherf*****. I didn’t see it, I didn’t see the kick! Congrats, man. I’m proud of you, you worked hard for this. You took it. Have a great night.”
Gaethje, 34, responded: “Thank you, man. We both are [bad motherf*****s], we both [worked hard]. That’s what we do. Let’s hang out, I’m serious.”
Poirier, also 34, replied: “I’ll whip you at ping pong,” to which Gaethje laughed: “You might! I’m pretty good, but you might.”
TNT Sports presenter McKenzie Pavacich then asked Gaethje what he was feeling after the interaction. “I feel bad,” he said. “I care about people, and I knew that I had to go in there and not care about him.
“That hurts in a way, but it’s me or him. I chose this game, I signed up for this, and so I have to go there – luckily only twice a year, usually.”
Gaethe, who suffered a TKO loss to Poirier in 2018, is positioned to fight for the UFC lightweight title next. Like Poirier, Gaethje is a former interim champion who has twice failed to become undisputed champion.
In October, Islam Makhachev defends the title against Charles Oliveira, in a rematch 12 months in the making. Russian Makhachev submitted Oliveira to win the vacant belt last year, five months after the Brazilian submitted Gaethje. Oliveira, a former champion, previously submitted Poirier in 2021.
Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments