Justin Gaethje Prefers Top Contender Over Anthony Pettis For Next Fight

Justin Gaethje prefers fighting a top contender over a potential showdown against former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.

The former WSOF champion already has his next bout lined up inside of the Octagon. However, that hasn’t stopped him from looking forward to his next fight. Gaethje is slated to fight Edson Barboza in the headliner of this weekend’s UFC Philadelphia.

While doing a recent interview to promote this fight, Gaethje made it known that he respects Pettis especially with his recent surge in the division, but he wants Dustin Poirier next.

“As much as I respect Pettis, I won’t be looking for that fight after I win here,” he told MMA Junkie at a media day. “I want that fight back (with Poirier). I have to have that fight back.”

There is history between Gaethje and Poirier as their first fight took place last April at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona that saw Poirier win by TKO. Now, Gaethje hopes to see Poirier beat Max Holloway for the interim UFC lightweight title that way he can fight him for a second time.

“Ultimately, I would like to see (Poirier) win and get the title, and then fight him,” Gaethje said.

UFC Philadelphia (also known as UFC on ESPN 2) is set to take place on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.