Dustin Poirier has responded to UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev’s desire to face him next, claiming ‘That’s what I want.’
In a recent interview with MMAJunkie, the champion outlined his plans to fight three times this year and that in order to remain active, he would face Poirier, even though he doesn’t believe ‘The Diamond’ is fully deservent of a title shot.
Speaking to USA TODAY, Poirier responded to Makhachev’s interview disputing the fact he is undeserving of a title shot and giving his take on the situation. He said:
“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, you know, still here doing it the highest level that can beat anybody in the world. And I hope he's next.”
The Makhachev call out came after Poirier’s stunning second round knock-out over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299. When the bout was initially announced, many fans and pundits alike were shocked to see Poirier taking on someone substantially further down the rankings than him and riding such a violent winning streak, especially after Poirier’s outing before that ended in a devastating head kick KO loss to Justin Gaethje for the BMF title. Explaining his decision behind agreeing to the bout, Poirier said that to prove he is still at the top of the game, he will need to face young, talented prospects. He said:
“Knocking him out was great. You know, being the only guy to ever finish him is great. Every win is incredible. But for taking this fight, it's like you got to pay your dues. And I've been at the top a long time. Somebody gave me my chance to break into the top and kind of like what Islam said, nobody was available at the time. He was the next guy who had a lot of hype, who was putting people away. And it just made sense. And, I got to show who I am, fight these young, hungry guys like that, that are that are you know, this guy is in his twenties on a five fight win streak in the UFC, finished all of his opponents like you just got to throw yourself in that fire sometimes that's just part of fighting.”
It is undisputed that ‘The Diamond’ has had a storied UFC career since joining the promotion 13 years ago. From challenging for the belt, to the Conor McGregor trilogy, to facing the whose who in his weight division for over a decade, Poirier believes that claiming UFC gold is the last thing for him to do in his career.
“That's the only thing left for me to do. You know, I've done everything else in the sport of mixed martial arts. I've created multiple businesses. I've headlined so many cards I've been 30 times in the UFC Octagon. My family is set. I've done everything I've set out to do but capture the title, and that's the only thing left for me to do and that's what I want.”
