Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev says Dustin Poirier can get the next title shot following his knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299.
Poirier was coming off a KO loss to Justin Gaethje back in July and took on Saint-Denis in a fight which he was the underdog in. After a first round in which Saint-Denis had a lot of success, Poirier landed a big uppercut and followed it up to get a KO win in the second round.
It was a great victory, and with Justin Gaethje set to face Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira set to fight Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in April, Abdelaziz says Dustin Poirier could get the next title shot.
Makhachev wants to return in June and with the likelihood of any of those four fighters (listed above) being able to turn around in two months being not good, Abdelaziz is now campaigning for Poirier to get the next crack at UFC lightweight gold.
Dustin Poirier took a huge risk tonight and came out on top and looked amazing. Dustin vs @MAKHACHEVMMA in June especially since everyone else has fights. If the UFC is good with this then Islam would be game.
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) March 10, 2024
“Dustin Poirier took a huge risk tonight and came out on top and looked amazing. Dustin vs @MAKHACHEVMMA in June especially since everyone else has fights. If the UFC is good with this then Islam would be game,” Abdelaziz wrote.
With Gaethje, Oliveira, and Tsarukyan all booked, it does make sense that Dustin Poirier would be next in line for a title shot. But, whether or not the UFC has any interest in booking that fight remains to be seen, as perhaps they will delay Makhachev’s return until Gaethje or the winner of Oliveira-Tsarukyan is available.
But, after his UFC 299 knockout, Dustin Poirier did express interest in facing Islam Makhachev next time out for the lightweight title.
“That’s the only reason I’m fighting. I started fighting to be the world champion, to be the best in the world, undisputed. We have to see. I have to get home, talk to my coaches, my wife, and my management, and we’ll see what’s next. I don’t know. But yes, I’ve done a lot in this sport. I’m not trying to brag, but I’ve done a lot in this sport. I’ve been fighting for a long time. I think this was around my 50th MMA fight, and I’ve done a lot, checked a lot of boxes. But there’s still one box unchecked, and that’s being a world champion,” Dustin Poirier said at the UFC 299 post-fight press conference.
Poirier also took to social media after Abdelaziz’s comments and mentioned his interest in facing Makhchev in June.
Islam in June 😤
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) March 10, 2024
“Islam in June,” Poirier wrote.
With the win over Benoit Saint-Denis, Dustin Poirier improved to 30-8 and one No Contest as a pro.
