Dustin Poirier, the former UFC interim-Lightweight Champion, shared his thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s response to his callout.
Following a spectacular knockout victory over ex-French Special Forces member Benoit St-Denis, “The Diamond” called out Islam, expressing his desire for another shot at the belt.
Dustin Poirier serves brutal clap back to Islam Makhachev
In an interview with the MMA Junkie team, Islam Makhachev expressed that he would be willing to fight Dustin Poirier in the upcoming summer. Makhachev also mentioned that one of the main reasons he’s willing to fight Dustin is because “he is the only one available.”
Islam Makhachev is aware Dustin Poirier doesn't deserve the next shot at gold, but is happy to give him it 🤯 pic.twitter.com/CkWApTwh7l
— Combat Sports UK (@CombatSportsUK) March 15, 2024
“I know he doesn’t deserve a title fight, but we have no option right now,” Makhachev previously told MMA Junkie. According to Islam, one of the reasons he is willing to fight Dustin Poirier in June is that he believes the lightweights fighting in UFC 300 (Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan) would not be ready for June in such a short span of time. It was earlier expected that the Charles Oliveira vs Arman Tsarukyan bout would be a title-eliminator bout.
"“I’ve done more in the sport of mixed martial arts than he has."@DustinPoirier reacts to Islam Makhachev saying his potential title shot would be undeserved 💎
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 22, 2024
(via @mackenziesalmon) pic.twitter.com/iNNt1Vv2zL
On being asked about the same, Poirier shut down Makhachev’s claims of ‘not deserving a title fight’, saying, “I have 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 doing it at the highest level. I can beat anybody in the world… and I hope he’s next.”
Dustin Poirier title match record
Dustin Poirier won the UFC interim-lightweight Championship belt back in 2019 in UFC 236. In a main event bout of a rematch, Poirier managed to successfully wrap the belt around his waist, after going 5 hard rounds and winning a unanimous decision victory against Max Holloway.
Poirier’s next fight was a Title-defence bout against the Dagestani veteran, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib won against Poirier in R2 via a rear naked choke and went onto unify the Interim and the actual Championship belt, becoming an undisputed lightweight champion.
Dustin Poirier received his next title shot against Charles Oliveira in 2021. Charles Oliveira managed to submit Poirier in R3 via a rear naked choke.
For the Louisiana representative, the anticipated title fight against Makhachev would be the 4th time Poirier has been a part of a Title-match.
