Dustin Poirier has shared his thoughts on the upcoming fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. The two are expected to meet at the White House event on June 14. While many fans are excited for the fight, Poirier feels concerned about how it could go for Gaethje.
He spoke about the matchup while appearing on a podcast hosted by Joe Rogan.
“Dude, I love Justin,”
“I’m a fan. I don’t like this matchup for him.”
Rogan shared his view on Gaethje’s mindset and toughness.
“Justin knows what he’s getting into, and it’s hard to count that dude out.”
Poirier agreed that Gaethje always has power, but he still sounded unsure about the outcome.
“Yeah, he can land a shot but…”
Dustin Poirier is concerned about Justin Gaethje fighting Ilia Topuria 👀😲
“I love Justin, I’m a fan. I don’t like this matchup for him.”
(Via @joerogan ) pic.twitter.com/h6NtRuibjh
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) March 17, 2026
Poirier and Gaethje history
Poirier and Gaethje have already fought twice, building strong respect through their battles. Their first fight in April 2018 was intense and competitive, with both fighters landing heavy shots. Poirier won that fight by TKO in the fourth round after dealing with early pressure and leg kicks.
They met again at UFC 291 in July 2023, this time with the BMF title on the line. Gaethje evened the score by knocking Poirier out with a head kick in the second round. With one win each, their rivalry stands tied, and a third fight now seems unlikely.
Looking at the upcoming fight, Poirier’s reaction shows that he believes this is a difficult situation for Gaethje. Even without a full breakdown, his words suggest that he sees real danger in the matchup.
Topuria is known for his confidence and ability to finish fights, while Gaethje brings power and aggression every time he competes. Even with that power, Poirier still feels uneasy about how this specific fight could play out.
As the White House event gets closer, Poirier’s honest opinion adds more attention to the fight. He respects Gaethje and supports him, but he remains clear about one thing, he does not like the matchup for him.
