Saturday night in Glendale, Arizona the Lightweight Division in the UFC will once again take center stage when Dustin Poirier fights Justin Gaethje. The company’s most controversial division just might also be it’s deepest seeing that Poirier and Gaethje are ranked #5 and #6 in the division respectively, and are two of the most feared and fierce competitors is all of MMA. After a week of turmoil and controversy, on free TV for UFC Fight Night, the best things about the sport will be on display in this fight.
When we say Poirier will be fighting Gaethje, we are not talking in the same vein as other run-of-the-mill UFC contests. This is going to be an actual fight in the classical sense that both of these men will be walking into the Octagon having certain physical characteristics that will be changed prior to their walking out of the Octagon. There are no personal issues in this fight, but the stakes are high and we are talking about two of the sports consummate warriors. Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier; two men who have both acknowledged that they are ready, willing, and able to risk their own lives within the Octagon. UFC do not have to think too long and hard about how this one is going to turn out. Some might call it a “slobberknocker” while others say it is a “barnburner.” I just call it a fight.
Gaethje said that this is going to be the most exciting live event going on in the world on Saturday night and when your nickname is “The Highlight,” that statement cannot be ignored. If Justin Gaethje’s hyperbole does not convince you, consider the magnitude of this fight; we are talking about two guys in the Lightweight Division who are on the cusp of putting their names into the fold of MMA’s most notorious championship. Whomever wins this fight is a step closer to being talked about in the same breath as champions Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson, and Conor McGregor. Dusitn Poirier is now a family man who, after years of being known as a caution-to-the-wind type fighter, is now solely focused on a world championship and being the most skilled fighter he can be. Poirier is no doubt still considered one of MMA’s great firefighters, but when he steps into the Octagon with a guy people like to compare him to, Poirier is looking to show that he is a more evolved version of Justin Gaethje.
Many people say the style these two fight with is unsustainable. Poirier has even acknowledged this and has worked hard to become a more well rounded and technical fighter so he does not have to bleed buckets of blood just to win a fight. Poirier has called Gaethje’s approach to the sport dangerous because of the savagery and lack of defensive focus Gaehtje fights with. Neither of these two fighters fear paying the ultimate price. This is what makes for a magical fight. This is what makes MMA not only the craziest sport, but perhaps the most inspiring sport. The battle of wills and courage will be on display this Saturday night as two fighters fight knowing that they will be hit and hit very hard by the other guy. If you are a fan of MMA or if you love Lafayette, I implore you to watch the best live event going on in the world this Saturday night because MMA’s human highlight reel will be taking on the fighting heart of Lafayette in what is shaping up to be a legendary encounter.
– Alan Michael