Dana White Gets UFC 303 Mega-Fight as Dustin Poirier Cements Islam Makhachev Fight Interest

Dustin Poirier faced Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 in the thirtieth fight of his distinguished UFC career. Things were not looking good for ‘Diamond’, who had lost two of his last three fights going into his co-main event bout against the Frenchman on Saturday.

However, his come-form-behind second-round knockout of ‘BSD” after being dominated in the first round certainly reminded everyone why he has been at the top of the UFC’s uber-competitive lightweight division for over a decade. And this win has been a consequential one for ‘Diamond’, who may get another chance at the lightweight title because of it.

Dustin Poirier wants to fight Islam Makhachev in June

With his UFC 299 win, Poirier has got into the title mix again with champion Islam Makhachev‘s manager Ali Abdelaziz offering him a title shot in June. Poirier joined Ariel Helwani on the ‘MMA Hour’ show where he was asked by the journalist about the prospect of him fighting Makhachev next.

Makhachev has no opponent on the horizon with top centenders Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira being booked for UFC 300 next month. ‘Diamond’, on the other hand was ready to face Makhachev in June and felt that the UFC would be open to that idea since he has the resume and pedigree to fight for the title despite his recent losses.

“I haven’t spoken to the UFC but I think it could happen. I said that you know in fight week doing those interviews and people ask me where do I think I am in the lightweight division and I really believed that I was one big win away, one good finish, you know, doesn’t matter the opponent I just need to look good,” Poirier said. However, June is only three months away and Helwani was curious if the New Orleans native would be ready to fight by then.

Poirier addresses injury concerns

Ariel Helwani pointed out that fighting Makhachev in June would be a quick turnaround for Poirier as it would not give him any time to heal from the damage sustained in his UFC 299 bout. Poirier, however, was quick to put these concerns to rest and pointed out that he had not taken any significant damage during the fight and while he had injured his ribs during training, he was confident he would be ready to face Makhachev f0r the lightweight title by June.

Read More: UFC News: Islam Makhachev Goes Against Dana White to Give Dustin Poirier the Title Shot in June

“I didn’t take any damages in this fight. Yeah, I’d be okay with June. I actually went into this fight with a couple of injuries from camp. My ribs, [Mateusz] Gamrot busted my ribs up like almost the weeks ago and it’s been bothering me ever since,” Poirier told Helwani.

Would you like to see Dustin Poirier take on Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title in June? Who do you think the odds would favor?

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