Justin Gaethje likes Benoit Saint-Denis’ chances vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC 299
Justin Gaethje isn’t ruling out Benoit Saint-Denis’ chances against Dustin Poirier.
Rising contender Saint-Denis (13-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) drew former interim lightweight champion Poirier (29-8 MMA, 21-7 UFC) for a five-round co-main event at UFC 299 on March 9 from Kaseya Center in Miami.
Gaethje can relate to Poirier taking a dangerous fight in Saint-Denis. He recently had to take on rising contender Rafael Fiziev, and “The Highlight” was able to snap his winning streak in a close fight at UFC 286.
“It’s such a crazy sport,” Gaethje told Kevin Iole. “I think luck, and chance is a factor. I’m not sure how big of a factor, so I absolutely believe that he (Saint-Denis) could (win). His skill is up there. It’s a very similar situation to when I fought Fiziev. A young up-and-comer, obviously full of confidence, full of hunger, not sleeping on silk sheets yet.
“Poirier is, I was, and these guys are dangerous. They’re young, they’re hungry, they’re confident, they got crazy skills. Fighting is a dangerous game, and chance is a factor.”
Poirier is coming off a knockout loss to Gaethje in their BMF title fight at UFC 291 in July. Despite losing two of his past three, “The Diamond” has been competing against elite-level competition throughout the majority of his career.
Saint-Denis called out both Gaethje and Poirier after he knocked out Matt Frevola at UFC 295. His bold challenges paid off, and Gaethje praised him for shooting his shot.
“Benoit didn’t come out of nowhere, but he’s just starting to fight these big fights,” Gaethje said. “I love that he was calling me out, and I think Dustin Poirier is the perfect fight. That’s who he should have been calling out, and that’s the fight he should be taking.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 299.
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Benoit Saint-Denis
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Benoit Saint-Denis UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins
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Benoit Saint-Denis UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins
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Benoit Saint-Denis UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins
Benoit Saint-Denis UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins
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Matt Frevola vs. Benoit Saint-Denis UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Matt Frevola vs. Benoit Saint-Denis UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
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Matt Frevola vs. Benoit Saint-Denis UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Matt Frevola vs. Benoit Saint-Denis UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
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Matt Frevola vs. Benoit Saint-Denis UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Matt Frevola vs. Benoit Saint-Denis UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
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Matt Frevola vs. Benoit Saint-Denis UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
Matt Frevola vs. Benoit Saint-Denis UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins faceoff
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Matt Frevola UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins
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Matt Frevola UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins
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Matt Frevola UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins
Matt Frevola UFC 295 ceremonial weigh-ins
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UFC 295 - Matt Frevola media day interview
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UFC 295 - Matt Frevola media day interview. 2
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MMA: UFC 295 - Frevola vs Saint Denis
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Matt Frevola (red gloves) looks on before fighting Benoit…
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Matt Frevola (red gloves) looks on before fighting Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 295 - Frevola vs Saint Denis
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Matt Frevola (red gloves) fights Benoit Saint Denis (blue…
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Matt Frevola (red gloves) fights Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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UFC 295: Frevola v Saint Denis
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France grapples with Matt Frevola…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France grapples with Matt Frevola in a lightweight fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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MMA: UFC 295 - Frevola vs Saint Denis
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Matt Frevola (red gloves) fights Benoit Saint Denis (blue…
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Matt Frevola (red gloves) fights Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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UFC 295: Frevola v Saint Denis
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France grapples with Matt Frevola…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France grapples with Matt Frevola in a lightweight fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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MMA: UFC 295 - Frevola vs Saint Denis
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Matt Frevola (red gloves) fights Benoit Saint Denis (blue…
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Matt Frevola (red gloves) fights Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 295 - Frevola vs Saint Denis
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Matt Frevola (red gloves) reacts after being knocked down…
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Matt Frevola (red gloves) reacts after being knocked down by Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 295 - Frevola vs Saint Denis
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) reacts after beating Matt…
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) reacts after beating Matt Frevola (red gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 295 - Frevola vs Saint Denis
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Matt Frevola (red gloves) reacts after being knocked down…
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Matt Frevola (red gloves) reacts after being knocked down by Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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UFC 295: Frevola v Saint Denis
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: <> in a lightweight fight during the UFC 295…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: <> in a lightweight fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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MMA: UFC 295 - Frevola vs Saint Denis
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) walks away after beating…
Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) walks away after beating Matt Frevola (red gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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UFC 295: Frevola v Saint Denis
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Matt Frevola looks on after being defeated by Benoit…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Matt Frevola looks on after being defeated by Benoit Saint Denis of France in a lightweight fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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UFC 295: Frevola v Saint Denis
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France reacts after defeating Matt…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France reacts after defeating Matt Frevola by TKO in a lightweight fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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UFC 295: Frevola v Saint Denis
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France reacts after defeating Matt…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France reacts after defeating Matt Frevola by TKO in a lightweight fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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UFC 295: Frevola v Saint Denis
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France reacts after defeating Matt…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France reacts after defeating Matt Frevola by TKO in a lightweight fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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UFC 295: Frevola v Saint Denis
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France reacts after defeating Matt…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France reacts after defeating Matt Frevola by TKO in a lightweight fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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UFC 295: Frevola v Saint Denis
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France reacts after defeating Matt…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France reacts after defeating Matt Frevola by TKO in a lightweight fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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UFC 295: Frevola v Saint Denis
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France reacts after defeating Matt…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France reacts after defeating Matt Frevola by TKO in a lightweight fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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UFC 295: Frevola v Saint Denis
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France reacts after defeating Matt…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Benoit Saint Denis of France reacts after defeating Matt Frevola by TKO in a lightweight fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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Benoit Saint-Denis def. Matt Frevola, UFC 295 Scorecard
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