Justin Gaethje lists fighters who said ‘no’ to UFC 313 short-notice opportunity, Dustin Poirier responds

Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev 2 is about, however that wasn’t the one substitute matchup thought-about for UFC 313.

Fiziev steps up on short-notice for an injured Dan Hooker with the March 8 pay-per-view happening subsequent Saturday at Kaseya Heart in Miami. When Hooker introduced his withdrawal, numerous fighters publicly expressed curiosity in stepping in for the New Zealand fan favourite, however Fiziev received the decision in the long run.

Following UFC CEO Dana White saying the brand new UFC 313 co-main occasion Wednesday night, Gaethje despatched out a tweet providing extra particulars as to how the choice was made.

Arman and Charles understandably stated no. Max and Dustin understandably stated no. Moicano received the decision and stated no. Props to Fiziev for volunteering to fly internationally and take this struggle. Large danger right here for me taking this rematch towards and elite striker. Life’s a visit. Finest dwell present on earth happening March eighth

Within the tweet, Gaethje mentions numerous massive title lightweights, together with Arman Tsarukyan—who was scheduled to face light-weight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 this previous January earlier than pulling out with a again harm a day earlier than the occasion—and previous opponents Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier. All of these names “understandably stated no” in response to Gaethje.

He added that Renato Moicano, one of many fighters who put his title out on social media as a substitute for Hooker, additionally declined. Moicano lately stepped up on brief discover to struggle Makhachev in Tsarukyan’s place.

Gaethje’s tweet drew responses from the fighters talked about, together with Poirier, who has fought Gaethje twice. Of their most up-to-date contest, Gaethje defeated Poirier by way of head kick knockout at UFC 291 to avenge Poirier defeating him by way of TKO at UFC Glendale again in April 2018.

“I by no means received the decision,” Poirier wrote on Twitter. “I didn’t say no.”

Poirier added, “I’m the one who reached out to them once I learn the information. Ask [UFC CBO] Hunter [Campbell], all respect to you and Fiziev, trying ahead to this one once more.”

Arman Tsarukyan additionally responded, saying that he accepted, however most popular a 160-pound catchweight bout given the restricted preparation time. He claims the UFC didn’t comply with that suggestion.

One fighter not talked about by Gaethje was Mateusz Gamrot, who additionally publicly volunteered to step in for Hooker at UFC 313. Gamrot misplaced a cut up determination to Hooker at UFC 305 this previous August and was itching to get again within the win column

He despatched out a tweet that was vaguely essential of Fiziev being chosen to struggle Gaethje as a substitute.

“Simpler alternative stylistically,” Gamrot wrote. “Strikers have all the time feared wrestlers. I preserve in nice form and I’m prepared for anybody.”

Gaethje later clarified that his publish was not supposed to counsel any of his fellow lightweights had been ducking the struggle.

“I used to be simply operating again the loopy 48 hours I went by means of,” Gaethje wrote. “I used to be not attempting to suggest any of you guys wouldn’t struggle me. Arman was too heavy, identical with Charles. UFC clearly has plans for you at a later date in order that they stated that’s a no go.”

UFC 313 is headlined by Alex Pereira defending his mild heavyweight title towards Magomed Ankalaev, with the Gaethje-Fiziev rematch serving because the co-main occasion.