Dustin Poirier doesn’t want to hear any talk about how he doesn’t deserve to fight UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
‘The Diamond’ is fresh off his return to the cage at UFC 299 earlier this month against Benoit Saint-Denis. Heading into the bout, Dustin Poirier was actually quite a heavy underdog. Having not competed since a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje, the former interim champion was out for blood against ‘The God Of War’.
Ultimately, Dustin Poirier looked like the underdog for the first round of his return at UFC 299. However, he hurt Saint-Denis badly in round two and quickly swarmed for a knockout victory. Following the win, Poirier called to face Islam Makhachev for lightweight gold. Surprisingly, the champion accepted the callout, stating that the bout should happen in June.
However, there was some fan and fighter backlash about the potential title bout. That led Islam Makhachev to admit, that he wasn’t super excited to fight Dustin Poirier. The UFC lightweight champion added that while the longtime contender doesn’t deserve the title shot, he’s willing to give it to him.
That led to a fiery response from Dustin Poirier. Speaking in a recent interview with MMAJunkie, ‘The Diamond’ was asked about Islam Makhachev’s comments and the perception that he doesn’t deserve a title shot. There, Poirier stated that he’s done so much in this sport, and he deserves the opportunity.
Dustin Poirier fires back at UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev
“If I could pick a fight, the title fight, that’s my choice. That’s what I want.” Dustin Poirier stated in the interview when asked if he would be interested in a UFC title fight with Islam Makhachev. “I mean, that’s on him. I’ve done more in the sport of mixed martial arts than he has. I’ve been around a long time, I was doing this before it was cool, and I’m still here. So I’m still here doing it at the highest level, and I can beat anybody in the world.”
He continued, “I hope he’s next…[Winning the title] is the only thing left for me to do. I’ve done everything else in the sport of mixed martial arts. I’ve created businesses, multiple businesses, I’ve headlined so many cards, I’ve been in the UFC octagon 30 times. My family is set. I’ve done everything I’ve set out to do, but capture the title.”
“That’s the only thing left for me to do.” Dustin Poirier concluded. “That’s what I want.”
What do you make of these comments from the UFC lightweight contender? Do you want to see Dustin Poirier vs. Islam Makhachev?
