Dustin Poirier has high praise for Khamzat Chimaev: “I’m a fan — when he’s on the card, I’m buying the pay-per-view or watching”
Dustin Poirier has high praise for Khamzat Chimaev, saying that “I’m a fan — when he’s on the card, I’m buying the pay-per-view or watching.”
Poirier returns to the Octagon this Saturday night at UFC 269 when he takes on UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in the main event for gold at 155lbs. Ahead of the big fight, Poirier spoke to the media at the pre-fight press conference, and one of the questions that he was asked about was what he thinks of Chimaev, who is one of the UFC’s fastest-rising stars. Already 4-0 in the UFC with four stoppage wins, Chimaev has quickly emerged as a title contender in the UFC welterweight division.
While Poirier is in another weight class than Chimaev at the moment, he is still keeping his eye out on “Borz” and what he has been doing. Speaking to the media at the UFC 269 pre-fight presser, Poirier praised Chimaev, admitting that he is a fan of watching him fight and suggesting he’s a “special” fighter.
“I’m a fan — when he’s on the card, I’m buying the pay-per-view or watching. It’s exciting,” Poirier said of Chimaev. “That’s what makes me want to watch, to find out if he’s that guy, to see him compete. I think the sport needs that. We need stars to keep people interested. Not that they wouldn’t be without it, but it’s fun when you have a guy like that. It’s just, he’s a real special person, and we’re going to find out (if he’ll be a world champion).”
Chimaev is being targeted to return to the cage in early 2022, though his next opponent has not been finalized yet. As for Poirier, he has openly admitted that a move to 170lbs could be in his future. So while these two are not gunning for each other right now, who knows what the future might hold for each.
Are you as much of a fan of Khamzat Chimaev that Dustin Poirier is?
