Islam Makhachev’s Brazen Disrespect for Dustin Poirier Lands UFC Champ in Deep Trouble With Fans

Islam Makhachev is finding much hate online for his recent comments on Dustin Poirier. Is it new for the lightweight champion to find hate online? No. However, his take on the title fight is certainly new and it makes sense for some fans to be angry with him because of it.

Dustin Poirier recently beat the brakes off Benoit Saint-Denis, a talented fighter who is much younger than ‘The Diamond’. Saint-Denis was also ranked #12 when the fight happened which meant Poirier was taking a big risk but he did it anyway.

After winning his fight via a brilliant knockout, Poirier started making waves. When he appeared on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour Show, he told the host that perhaps a title fight against Islam Makhachev in June is exactly what he needs right now.

To this, Islam Makhachev’s reaction was not entirely too pleasant. He accepted the fight but did so looking down on Poirier as a top contender. “I know Dustin does not deserve the title fight, but we don’t have any option right now. Everybody is busy. I want to fight. … He’s beat a lot of top guys.”

While Makhachev’s words showed a casual sort of disregard for Poirier, at the same time he also praised him. He handed him his flowers in terms of how long he’s fought and how well-recognized he’s become in the UFC. “He’s a legend. A fight with him, it’s going to be good for me.” But fans were stuck on his idea that Poirier doesn’t deserve the fight.

Fans flame Islam Makhachev believing Dustin Poirier to be worthy

UFC fans are outspoken. That’s one thing that hasn’t changed in years. They didn’t shy away from reminding the lightweight champion that when he got the title shot, he’d only freshly defeated Bobby Green who wasn’t high up in the rankings at the time. One fan said: “Doesn’t deserve it? Learn some respect. You beat Bobby Green for a title shot DP sh*ts on your résumé,” while another remarked: “Hmm does he forget that he got a title shot off of an unranked Bobby Green?”

Apart from his own trajectory so far, one fan was also quick to point out how he is not all that active to be able to make such remarks: “”doesn’t deserve it” dude u fight once a year.” That wasn’t all as one user also pointed out the irony in the whole incident: “Islam saying a top contender doesn’t deserve the title fight is so ironic.”

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While many have asserted that Makhachev is simply not right in his claim, one other believes that Islam Makhachev is scared of Dustin Poirier: “Sounds like Islam is scurrred.” And this fan had the whole situation analyzed: “”Everybody is busy” because you sat out and forced 3 contenders who already deserve a shot to fight each other. Now he’s healthy enough to cherry pick the easiest defense.”

Finally, Bellator’s Johnny Eblen wanted the UFC to make the fight happen regardless: “It makes sense to both fights and to the fans. Make it happen!”

Clearly, fans have picked their side of this fight and want Poirier to have his title shot against Islam Makhachev. ‘The Diamond’ is ready for the fight in June and perhaps with Makhachev agreeing, Dana White has a good main event waiting for whatever pay-per-view he has planned on his sheet for the month.

Also Read: Islam Makhachev Hails Henry Cejudo & Kamaru Usman’s Legacy With Sweet Message