Justin Gaethje claims 5 UFC stars rejected fight, Dustin Poirier says otherwise

Justin Gaethje says Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, and more opted out of UFC 313, Dustin Poirier responds.

Jeff Swinger-Imagn Images

Justin Gaethje says several fighters *understandably* turned him down at UFC 313.

The former BMF titleholder was set to go to war with Dan Hooker next week in Las Vegas until a hand injury pulled "Hangman" from the lightweight bout altogether. Gaethje wouldn't lock in his replacement opponent until yesterday, now scheduled to rematch contender Rafael Fiziev on short notice.

Justin Gaethje defeated Rafael Fiziev by majority decision at UFC 286. / Per Haljestam-Imagn Images

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Gaethje On The Fights That Got Away From Him At UFC 313

Returning from a UFC 300 KO loss to Max Holloway last April, Gaethje says his former foe Holloway, along with others, refused to accept the call.

"Arman [Tsarukyan] and Charles [Oliveira] understandably said no," Gaethje wrote on 'X'. "Max and Dustin [Poirier] understandably said no. [Renato] Moicano got the call and said no."

"Props to Fiziev for volunteering to fly across the world and take this fight. Big risk here for me taking this rematch against and elite striker. Life’s a trip. Best live show on earth going down March 8th."

Justin Gaethje will be fighting for the first time since being knocked out by Max Holloway at UFC 300. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

What About #1 Contender Arman Tsarukyan?

#1 and #2 in the UFC lightweight division, Arman Tsarukyan and Charles Oliveira are right there in the title conversation, likely a win away. Tsarukyan lost out on his title opportunity at UFC 311, withdrawing from his fight with Islam Makhachev due to injury, leaving Renato Moicano to step up and lose.

"That’s a big weight cut on short notice," Gaethje said of why he thinks Tsarukyan declined the fight.

Arman Tsarukyan missed out on a title shot at UFC 311 due to injury. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

"I didn’t say no," Tsarukyan responded to Gaethje. "I accepted immediately and asked for a 160lbs catchweight 11 days out from weigh ins, UFC said that wasn’t an option."

I didn’t say no, I accepted immediately and asked for a 160lbs catchweight 11 days out from weigh ins, UFC said that wasn’t an option https://t.co/3IfQ3Rjhv5

— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) February 27, 2025

Dustin Poirier Didn't Say No Either?

As for Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway, Gaethje has fought the both of them, 1-1 with "The Diamond" on KO's in their uncompleted series. Gaethje got his hand raised in the rematch at UFC 291, by way of headkick.

The soon-to-retire Poirier dismissed Gaethje's claims he was among the handful of fighters to reject him.

"I never got the call, I didn't say no," Poirier wrote on 'X'. "I'm the one who reached out to them when I read the news. Ask Hunter [Campbell], all respect to you and [Fiziev], looking forward to this one again."

I'm the one who reached out to them when I read the news. Ask hunter, all respect to you and fizeav, looking forward to this one again https://t.co/p5NhjpabQq

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 27, 2025

UFC veteran Poirier sees himself retiring from MMA later this year in his home state of Louisiana, and if that's the case, we'll never get the long-awaited trilogy between Justin & Dustin, who bring it every time.

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Dustin Poirier knocked out Justin Gaethje in their first fight back in 2018. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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