Dustin Poirier has done it. After licking his wounds for seven years and rising up the lightweight rankings, he finally got a rematch against Conor McGregor. While Conor finished him off with ease in their first fight, Poirier broke Conor down and finished him in the second.
This was the much-anticipated return of Conor to the UFC. Well, Dustin decided to spoil it with hellacious leg kicks and picture-perfect counter-boxing. After Max Holloway declared himself the best boxer in the UFC last week, the conversation around that topic has become intense.
Poirier believes that the buck starts and ends with him. He called himself the best boxer in the UFC, citing his two wins over Holloway and this masterful performance against McGregor.
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Two wins vs Holloway.
One win vs McGregor.
Best boxer in the Octagon? 🥊 #UFC257 pic.twitter.com/HsuQMzwkFV
— UFC (@ufc) January 24, 2021
‘The Diamond’ said, “I think I showed a little bit of counter boxing here. I know Max Holloway thinks he’s the best boxer, but I got two wins over the kid. Nothing but respect to him, but I beat him twice. I felt like I was boxing really well with Conor, hit him with some counter twos. We know his time in the counter twos is some of the best in the game, but I just don’t give a fuck.. I’m here to win.”
Dustin Poirier: Champion-elect?
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If Khabib Nurmagomedov is not coming back to the UFC, Poirier has to be champion as he has beaten two elite contenders since his loss to ‘The Eagle’. However, Michael Chandler will be making a case for a fight against Poirier after his sensational performance in the co-main event.
Poirier teased a possible trilogy fight with McGregor in his post-fight interview as well. While that would be extremely interesting, there is no reason for that to be the next match for both men. With Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje still important factors as well, the trilogy may not materialize soon.
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What did you make of Dustin Poirier’s display at the Etihad Arena to close of the UFC’s third stint on Fight Island?