UFC news: Dustin Poirier points to the same mistake Gaethje made against Oliviera as him

In the face of Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier believes Justin Gaethje should have relied more on his ground game. Gaethje (23-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) down Oliveira in the first round of their lightweight title battle at UFC 274, but he didn’t want to chance to go to the ground with the Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend. Instead, Gaethje yanked Oliveira (33-8 MMA, 21-8 UFC) back to his feet, and he was floored and dominated in the first round by the Brazilian.

Poirier said “THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas”, “I think he should have followed him up,” Poirier said on “THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas.” “Got on top, tried to finish the fight. You know, find out how hurt Charles was. There’s only one way to find out: You’ve got to dive in.” In the fight between Oliviera and Gaethje, it was over the moment when Gaethje let Oliviera get a hold of him.

READ MORE: Oliviera chokes Gaethje, Chandler reigns supreme

Dustin Poirier on how the same mistake as him cost Gaethje the title

Dustin Poirier recalled his loss against Oliveira and pointed out some key points, which resulted in his and Gaethje’s loss against the No. 1 contender for the UFC Lightweight championship. Poirier said, “Same thing with me – of course, you have to respect jiu-jitsu, I’ve been doing jiu-jitsu forever. I’m a blackbelt, as well, and compete with and train with the best guys in the world. I’m confident, and I have good jiu-jitsu. I just respected him too much that I didn’t engage. The plan was to by any means stay off the ground and don’t play jiu-jitsu at all with this guy.

“So, even in the second round when I ended up on my back, and he was on top, I just tried to get stood up. I tried to get a stalemate. I didn’t engage and use my jiu-jitsu offensively or defensively, and I should have. I should have created space. I should have attempted submissions and used that to create space and get back up.”