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Justin Gaethje on UFC 291: ‘I’m so grateful to inspire’

Justin Gaethje on UFC 291 knockout against Dustin Poirier: “In order for it to work, it needs to be set up. I set it up perfectly.”

Justin Barrasso

Justin Gaethje on UFC 291: ‘I’m so grateful to inspire’
Justin Gaethje on UFC 291: ‘I’m so grateful to inspire’ /

Justin Gaethje is accomplishing his life goals in the Octagon.

He always dreamed of making a positive impact in the world, and that is what he is doing through his career in the UFC.

“I pray for the opportunity to inspire the world,” says Gaethje. “I went to college for social work. I love helping people. To get to do that through this kind of chaos, it’s so special to me.”

Gaethje is only days removed from UFC 291, where he delivered the most significant knockout of his career against Dustin Poirier.

“I truly believe, if you had a camera from space that can see inspiration, there was a blink of light when I won that fight [on Saturday],” says Gaethje. “I’m so grateful for the chance to inspire.”

The win against Poirier in Salt Lake City took place in the same venue that Leon Edwards knocked out Kamaru Usman with a left head kick eleven months prior. This time in the Delta Center, it was Gaethje faking a punch and hitting a right head kick that left Poirier out cold for the first time in his career since 2016.

“When you have an orthodox fighter versus a southpaw fighter, that is something that’s always there,” says Gaethje (25-4). “We’re both trying to get away from our power hands, and the best way is outside. But you’ve got to watch something coming from behind you.

“In order for it to work, it needs to be set up. I set it up perfectly.”

Sitting beside his trainer Trevor Wittman, who was making the 30-minute drive after the fight back to Colorado, Gaethje was ready to celebrate the victory with his loved ones.

“I didn’t want to go to a bar,” says Gaethje. “This one was for my family.”

Defeating Poirier (29-8, 1 NC) is the type of victory a fighter could retire on, but there is more remaining to accomplish for Gaethje. He won the ceremonial BMF title at UFC 291, but there is another title–the undisputed lightweight championship–that he has long been chasing.

“I knew I had to win this fight,” says Gaethje, 34. “My family would be happy if I stepped away, but I’m not done here.”

This will mark Gaethje’s third chance to fight for the belt. He lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov in his first attempt in 2020, then was outclassed last year in a title bout against Charles Oliveira. If he loses this time, it may be his final shot.

“I can’t get overconfident,” says Oliveira. “That will kill you in this game. Look what happened last time. I should have beat Oliveira, but I got caught up in the moment. I fought like an absolute fool.

“This time, I’m going to work as hard as I can and believe in myself. It’s a dangerous game, but I love it.”

Gaethje will know his next opponent after Islam Makhachev defends the belt against Oliveira this October at UFC 294. Until then, his objective remains unchanged.

“My goal when I first started this sport was to do it for the fans,” says Gaethje. “I want to keep inspiring people.”

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.

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Justin Barrasso
JUSTIN BARRASSO

Justin Barrasso has been writing for Sports Illustrated since 2014. While his primary focus is pro wrestling and MMA, he has also covered MLB, NBA, and the NFL. He can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.

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