Islam Makhachev welcomes a battle with Dustin Poirier, however that doesn’t imply that “The Diamond” can say no matter he needs.
In a current interview, Poirier responded to the light-weight champion mentioning Poirier as a risk for his subsequent title protection, saying that it’s the one battle he’s concerned about proper now. In promoting himself as a challenger, Poirier added, “I’ve completed extra within the sport of blended martial arts than he has. I’ve been round a very long time. I used to be doing this earlier than it was cool, and I’m nonetheless right here — nonetheless right here doing it on the highest stage. I can beat anyone on this planet, and I hope he’s subsequent.”
Makhachev quickly responded on social media, writing, “Dustin, if you happen to may beat anyone, you’d be holding this belt proper now, not me.”
At 25-1, not many have been in a position to say they’ve been in a position to get the higher of Makhachev, along with his lone loss coming by way of method of knockout by the hands of Adriano Martins again in October 2015. He dominated Charles Oliveira to seize the light-weight title at UFC 280 and has efficiently defended it twice in back-to-back victories over then-featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski.
Poirier’s checklist of accomplishments are spectacular in their very own proper. The Louisiana native has knocked off contenders at each featherweight and light-weight, profitable an interim light-weight title in April 2019 and twice difficult for the undisputed championship at 155 kilos. His UFC document stands at 22-7 (1 no-contest), with quite a few Struggle of the Night time awards and highlight-reel finishes throughout that stretch.
He just lately added to his legacy with a second-round knockout of the streaking Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299, which may set him as much as problem Makhachev at an occasion this summer time.
