"I didn't say no" - Dustin Poirier comes clean as Justin Gaethje takes aim at lightweight elites following UFC 313's new co-main event announcement

Dustin Poirier used his social media platform to clarify a few things following recent comments from Justin Gaethje regarding his hectic UFC 313 bout restructuring situation. Gaethje was initially supposed to fight Dan Hooker before a hand injury forced the withdrawal from 'The Hangman'.

The former BMF champion and former interim UFC lightweight champion made claims that several high-profile 155-pound competitors did not seem keen on taking this short-notice fight but made a point to shout out the gameness of former opponent Rafael Fiziev who now has a sequel clash with Gaethje locked in. Justin Gaethje took to his X account and quipped:

"Arman [Tsarukyan] and Charles [Oliveira] understandably said no. Max [Holloway] and Dustin [Poirier] understandably said no. [Renato] Moicano got the call and said no."

He continued:

"Props to [Rafael] Fiziev for volunterring to fly across the world and take this fight. Big risk here for me taking this rematch against an elite striker. Life's a trip. Best live show on earth going down March 8 #UFC313"

Dustin Poirier retweeted this message from Gaethje with his own side of the story:

"I never got the call, I didn't say no"

In a separate retweet linking the same initial message from Gaethje, Poirier also stated:

"I'm the one who reached out to them when I read the news. Ask Hunter [Campbell], all respect to you and [Rafael] Fiziev, looking forward to this one again."

Check out Dustin Poirier's initial tweet responding to Justin Gaethje below

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Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje reach an understanding

Dustin Poirier was quick to offer up a retort to Justin Gaethje regarding the reshuffling of his UFC 313 opposition with the two former opponents discussing things even further. This took place on X as well with Gaethje responding to Poirier's retweet within the tweet thread with the former stating:

"I was just running back the crazy 48 hours I went through. I was not trying to imply any of you guys would not fight me. Arman was too heavy, same with Charles. UFC obviously has plans for you at a later date so they said that's a no go."

Dustin Poirier responded to this follow-up from Gaethje, stating:

"All good bro!! glad you got a[n] opponent! Can't wait to watch!!"

Poirier and Gaethje have fought two times before with each man garnering a victory in a pair of classic clashes. The Louisiana native will not be competing at UFC 313 but Gaethje faces a familiar fighter all the same as he is now set to run it back with Rafael Fiziev in the pay-per-view co-headlining bout.