Dustin Poyer’s past comments about Islam Makhachev prove the Dagestani champion’s meteoric rise
Dustin Poirier will challenge UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev for the title at UFC 302. UFC President Dana White made the announcement after UFC 300. Poirier fought Benoit St-Denis at UFC 299 and Won fight via KO In Round 2. Later, many speculated what was waiting for him next, and the announcement of the title fight certainly brought a lot of joy to Dustin’s fans.
#UFC302 Looks good! You better be prepared! 🔥
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— UFC (@ufc) April 17, 2024
As for Makhachev, the Dagestani fighter has defended his lightweight title twice since winning at UFC 280 in October 2022. After that, both of his title defenses came against Alexander Volkanovsky at UFC 284 and UFC 294 respectively. So UFC 302 will be the first time Makhachev faces a ranked lightweight fighter. Defeated Charles Oliveira for vacant title.
Dustin Poyer had no idea who Islam Makhachev was in 2015
Dustin Poirier will fight Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 302 on June 1, 2024. While this is a big moment for Poirier’s career, it just shows how far Makhachev’s career has come over the years. After the title fight was announced, an old clip went viral where Poirier can be heard telling Ariel Helwani that he doesn’t know Islam!
In July 2015, Dustin added, “I’m not sure who he is. But yes, he can get too much of his whip.”
Fans may want to know why Poirier made such a comment. In May 2015, Islam had just made his UFC debut and defeated Leo Koontz at UFC 187. Next, Islam added that Dustin Poirier was one of the fighters he wanted to face. When asked about the call to Islam, Dustin added that he was not aware of the former’s existence. However, there didn’t seem to be any malice behind the statement and after 9 years, the two would finally face each other.
Dustin Poer has a history with mentoring Islam Makhachev
Although he did not know Islam Makhachev, Dustin must have been aware of the existence of another Dagestani warrior, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Although Khabib is no longer an active member of the fighting community, “The Eagle” has left a mark on the sport and is considered the greatest lightweight fighter of all time. Nurmagomedov is also a mentor to Makhachev.
Poirier and Khabib faced each other in September 2019, at UFC 242. When there was an infamous victory over the Dagestanis Conor McGregor At UFC 229, Dustin won the interim lightweight title against Max Holloway at UFC 236. Excitement for the fight was at a fever pitch and the Louisiana native nearly suffered a ma*sive upset.
In the third round of their fight, DP locked in a guillotine choke on Khabib that could have easily tapped out many fighters. But, Khabib was built differently and after some early fights he got out of the choke. The 35-year-old went on to submit Dustin with a back-naked choke in the same round. Khabib was able to fight in front of his father for the last time Abdul Manap before the tragic pa*sing of the latter.
So there’s definitely a lot of history with Dustin Poirier and the Nurmagomedov clan. Although he failed to defeat Khabib 5 years ago, can Poirier defeat his disciple? Islam Makhachev At UFC 302? Only time will tell.