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Signals retirement after loss
Poirier lost to Islam Makhachev via submission (D'Arce choke) at 2:42 of Round 5 at UFC 302 on Saturday in Newark.
ANALYSIS
As if looking to show how much he had improved since his submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Poirier stayed safe in every early ground exchange and denied 11 of the 16 takedown attempts from the most dominant wrestler in the sport. Ultimately, however, it was for naught as Makhachev was able to grab Dustin's foot, bring him to the mat, and secure a choke in Round 5. While he was finished, Poirier gave Makhachev his toughest fight since his knockout loss in 2015 by a wide margin, landing jabs, shots to the body, and slicing the champion open with a nasty elbow as the two separated from a ground exchange. The end result was a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus for both men. After the bout, Dustin was asked if he wanted to continue in the sport, to which he made it clear that he didn't want to fight if he had no path to a title. As this was his third attempt to secure gold, it seems overwhelmingly likely that the 35-year-old has had his last opportunity to fight a champion. There will be fights for him to return to, but if he does opt to retire, then MMA fans were privileged to follow the career of a legend who has secured dominant victories over other champions like Max Holloway and Conor McGregor. He currently holds a record of 30-9 in professional MMA.
As if looking to show how much he had improved since his submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Poirier stayed safe in every early ground exchange and denied 11 of the 16 takedown attempts from the most dominant wrestler in the sport. Ultimately, however, it was for naught as Makhachev was able to grab Dustin's foot, bring him to the mat, and secure a choke in Round 5. While he was finished, Poirier gave Makhachev his toughest fight since his knockout loss in 2015 by a wide margin, landing jabs, shots to the body, and slicing the champion open with a nasty elbow as the two separated from a ground exchange. The end result was a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus for both men. After the bout, Dustin was asked if he wanted to continue in the sport, to which he made it clear that he didn't want to fight if he had no path to a title. As this was his third attempt to secure gold, it seems overwhelmingly likely that the 35-year-old has had his last opportunity to fight a champion. There will be fights for him to return to, but if he does opt to retire, then MMA fans were privileged to follow the career of a legend who has secured dominant victories over other champions like Max Holloway and Conor McGregor. He currently holds a record of 30-9 in professional MMA.
Considering retirement after UFC 302
Poirier is considering retiring after UFC 302, Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Poirier is fighting Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship in UFC 302 on June 1, and is considering retirement after the bout no matter the result. The 35-year-old is coming off a victory over Benoit Saint-Denis in March. He will put his 30-8-0 record on the line in Newark before making his final decision on retirement.
Poirier is fighting Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship in UFC 302 on June 1, and is considering retirement after the bout no matter the result. The 35-year-old is coming off a victory over Benoit Saint-Denis in March. He will put his 30-8-0 record on the line in Newark before making his final decision on retirement.
Given championship fight
Poirier will challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 302 in Newark on June 1, according to Andreas Hale of ESPN.com.
ANALYSIS
Poirier hopes the third time is the charm for his championship prospects. He got a taste of gold by defeating Max Holloway for an interim lightweight title back in April 2019. Unfortunately, the former submitted to Khabib Nurmagomedov during their undisputed championship fight later that year. After defeating Conor McGregor twice, Poirier had an opportunity to cap off what would have been a perfect 2021 against then-lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, who submitted the American. This time around, The Diamond kept himself in title contention by finishing Michael Chandler and Benoit Saint-Denis.
Poirier hopes the third time is the charm for his championship prospects. He got a taste of gold by defeating Max Holloway for an interim lightweight title back in April 2019. Unfortunately, the former submitted to Khabib Nurmagomedov during their undisputed championship fight later that year. After defeating Conor McGregor twice, Poirier had an opportunity to cap off what would have been a perfect 2021 against then-lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, who submitted the American. This time around, The Diamond kept himself in title contention by finishing Michael Chandler and Benoit Saint-Denis.
Trademark performance in win
Poirier defeated Benoit Saint-Denis via KO (punches) at 2:32 of Round 2 at UFC 299 on Saturday in Miami.
ANALYSIS
As we have seen time and time again, count Poirier out at your own peril. Dustin did not look good for the majority of this fight. He appeared tired, labored, and didn't hold up well under the constant pressure of Saint-Denis. He would land a couple blows here and there, but his main offensive actions consisted of going for guillotine chokes. None of them worked, and he was in all sorts of trouble after giving up his back early in Round 2. As we have seen time and time against from Poirier, however, Dustin worked his way back to his feet and eventually blasted Saint-Denis with two right hands which closed the show. Poirier is now 35 years old. He's understandably not on the same level as he was in his prime, but he's also still very clearly capable of performances such as this one. Dustin has alternated wins and losses in his past five fights. This particular one was awarded Fight of the Night honors, earning Poirier a $50,000 post-fight bonus.
As we have seen time and time again, count Poirier out at your own peril. Dustin did not look good for the majority of this fight. He appeared tired, labored, and didn't hold up well under the constant pressure of Saint-Denis. He would land a couple blows here and there, but his main offensive actions consisted of going for guillotine chokes. None of them worked, and he was in all sorts of trouble after giving up his back early in Round 2. As we have seen time and time against from Poirier, however, Dustin worked his way back to his feet and eventually blasted Saint-Denis with two right hands which closed the show. Poirier is now 35 years old. He's understandably not on the same level as he was in his prime, but he's also still very clearly capable of performances such as this one. Dustin has alternated wins and losses in his past five fights. This particular one was awarded Fight of the Night honors, earning Poirier a $50,000 post-fight bonus.
Saint-Denis bout still on tap
Poirier is scheduled to compete against Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299, per Nolan King of USA Today.
ANALYSIS
According to Poirier, he could not get a hold of his manager for a few days, which resulted in a miscommunication. Apparently, the Saint-Denis fight is still scheduled with a little over a month remaining until the Miami pay-per-view. Poirier will look to defend his top-five spot in the UFC's lightweight rankings and get back into championship contention.
According to Poirier, he could not get a hold of his manager for a few days, which resulted in a miscommunication. Apparently, the Saint-Denis fight is still scheduled with a little over a month remaining until the Miami pay-per-view. Poirier will look to defend his top-five spot in the UFC's lightweight rankings and get back into championship contention.