Dustin Poirier took to social media and sent a clear message to the recent title challenger, Justin Gaethje. Chiefly, ‘The Highlight’ had criticized Dustin ‘The Diamond’ for proudly carrying around the interim strap that he once owned. Both the aforementioned lightweights held the interim divisional strap and fought Khabib Nurmagomedov in an attempt to unify their titles.

However, getting past ‘The Eagle’ proved to be an insurmountable task, and both the fighters were submitted by Khabib. However, Gaethje’s approach to the interim strap was starkly different from that of Poirier’s. ‘The Highlight’ completely disregarded the interim championship and was only keen on securing the undisputed strap. On the other hand, Poirier wore the belt with pride and proudly hoisted it over his shoulder.

Dustin Poirier hits out at his detractors

Justin Gaethje has been on record to slander Dustin’s approach to being the interim champion, and the Louisiana native had plenty to say.

“I just wanna talk about life with you guys really quick. I knew I had a piece of the world title. I’m not an idiot I knew I wasn’t the undisputed world champion but I was in a place if gratitude because of the years of work I put in…to beat a world champion to win an interim belt.”

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“Max Holloway was a world champion and I earned that interim belt through years, 24, 25 fights with this company going back to the WEC days. I knew I wasn’t the undisputed champion, but I had a piece and I was very proud of that.”

“I carry that belt with pride”

Furthermore, Poirier directed his statements more directly at Gaethje and his approach of casting aside the interim belt. ‘The Diamond’ wasn’t too pleased with the fact that Justin would throw away the belt at any chance he got. He believed that the interim championship represented something more than a fake placeholder.

“For Gaethje to say that I had made it and I was holding a fake belt and him pushing that belt away, these last few months of him throwing the belt on the ground, I just wanna tell everyone watching this. This is a life lesson. You gotta understand and appreciate the position you put yourself in and be grateful for everything you have.”

“All these months of Gaethje walking around throwing that belt around could have been months of embracing the role he put himself. Not being a meathead and saying ‘I want the real one’. Dude, you a piece of the real one right there on your shoulder that you’re throwing around and disrespect. I honor my work and I carry that belt with pride.”

There’s no doubt that Poirer comes from a place that makes sense in the traditional sense of martial arts. Defeating a former champion, even if it is for an interim belt, is an important step in any fighter’s career. In saying that, Gaethje’s stance on solely wanting the undisputed strap is no doubt commendable. What is your take on the same?