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Former WSOF Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje and former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier will meet for the vacant BMF Championship in the main event of UFC 291.
Gaethje admits that he isn’t the biggest fan of the BMF Championship, but he does understand the value of holding such a title.
“My true assessment: When Masvidal and (Nate) Diaz fought for it I was like, ‘This is stupid.’ I still think it’s kind of stupid,” Gaethje told Cageside Press (transcript via Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie). “However, to the fans that say it’s stupid, I say that it’s ultimately the UFC giving one more fighter one more opportunity to win and to gain an opportunity to get pay-per-view points. This belt, just like interim belts, on paper, are a championship. You are a champion in the eyes of the UFC, and when you are a champion in the eyes of the UFC, you get paid different.
“So to the people who say it’s stupid, it’s the UFC throwing a bone, like we always ask them to throw a bone and they never do. So I’m thankful there is an opportunity that I get to fight for. Especially because there is only one in the world. It’s a cool looking belt. I think it’s little bit of a show, but I think it’s ultimately UFC throwing a bone, and I’ve got to be thankful for that.”
Jorge Masvidal was the first ever BMF Champion, but he relinquished the title upon retiring from MMA competition earlier this year.
The former WSOF Lightweight Champion lost to Poirier in their first meeting, but Gaethje knows he is a better fighter the second time around.
“Since that fight I certainly have grown,” Gaethje said. “I’m five years old. I was 29 years old. A lot of big fights between that day and today and the day that I’ll fight him. I am human and I am susceptible to make mistakes. I think I made a huge mistake in the Oliveira fight, I became super emotional. And I think that’s one thing I will not allow to happen this fight and I think it’s going to be somewhat of a chess match, but with both of us trying to create damage at all times. Five rounds, obviously you’ve got to fight smart. Championship fight, usually the first one to make a mistake, loses. Ultimately I have to be perfect and I’m fighting a dog.”
