Is Dustin Poirier being overlooked by Islam Makhachev
Dustin Poirier is less than a month away from what very well could be his last chance at UFC gold as he’ll challenge for the UFC lightweight championship against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.
With the June 1 fight date getting closer, Poirier is beginning to feel like Makhachev is overlooking him.
Recently, Poirier appeared on The MMA Hour and discussed how he’s getting the vibe that Makhachev is underestimating him.
“I kind of feel like some of the stuff he says, he might not [respect me],” Poirier said on the show. “But I’m going to put my hands on this guy. I’m coming in there to hurt him. This is my last shot. Mom’s spaghetti. Let’s go.
“I haven’t been keeping up a whole lot but when I was at the gym Mike Brown told me, ‘Man, I think this guy may be underestimating your jiu-jitsu and underestimating how dangerous you are.’ I think what he was referring to was an interview with Islam saying, ‘This is an easy fight for me.’ I was tagged in a bunch of stuff on Instagram and Twitter of him saying that. And I don’t know, maybe he goes about all fights like that, but I can finish and beat anybody at 155 pounds in the world. I really believe that. And he doesn’t have to believe it. I’m the one who has to believe it and go out there and beat his ass. I can do that.”
For Poirier, this fight marks his third chance at the undisputed UFC lightweight title. He was submitted in both bouts by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.
While he hasn’t won the undisputed title, he did defeat longtime featherweight champion and current BMF champ Max Holloway for the interim lightweight championship.
With a few missed opportunities, Poirier believes this is likely his last chance to fight for a UFC championship.
“I don’t think I’m going to be around to get another shot,” Poirier said. “That being said, I’m not putting the pressure onto myself to where it’s shaking me. It just is what it is. I’m a realist. I try to be optimistic and keep the best mindset, but I understand what it is. I’m 35. The division has to move on at some point, but I’m trying to finish this thing. The reason that I put a pair of gloves on at 17 years old was to say I’m the best in the world, and June 1st, I plan to do it.”
UFC 302 will be held at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
A list of fights scheduled for UFC 302 are listed below:
Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier
Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa
Anthony Hernandez vs. Roman Dolidze
Jailton Almeida vs. Alexandr Romanov
Ailin Perez vs. Joselyne Edwards
Niko Price vs. Alex Morono
Grant Dawson vs. Joe Solecki
Phil Rowe vs. Jake Matthews
Hyun Sung Park vs. Andre Lima
Sumudaerji vs. Joshua Van
Roman Kopylov vs. Cesar Almeida
Mickey Gall vs. Bassil Hafez
