Dustin Poirier had no calls for for his upcoming UFC 302 title shot subsequent month (Sat., June 1, 2024).
Islam Makhachev has his subsequent Light-weight title protection lined up and “The Diamond” will look to attain the huge upset. After all of the contenders sorted issues out amongst one another from UFC 299 to UFC 300, essentially the most available was left to face the champion, and that was Poirier.
Though he wound up as the following man up, Poirier wasn’t the primary choice. The promotion gave Arman Tsarukyan the prospect to problem for gold instantly after his break up determination win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 final month (April 13, 2024). Finally, the No. 1-ranked contender handed on the chance, opening the door for Poirier.
“[UFC CBO] Hunter [Campbell] began texting me Saturday of 300,” Poirier stated on The MMA Hour. “He truly referred to as me and stated — I imply as quickly as Arman beat Charles — he referred to as me, ‘The combat simply ended. I’m strolling to the locker room proper now.’ I used to be doing a viewing occasion up in Connecticut on the Mohegan Solar and he’s on the cellphone saying, ‘I’ll name you again. Give me like one hour. I’ll name you or textual content you and allow you to know.’ He went in Arman’s locker room and stated, ‘Hey, you’re subsequent. The combat, you recognize when it’s.’
“I perceive too from Arman’s facet, bro,” he continued. “You simply do an eight-week coaching camp. You go on the market and combat, you win. You haven’t even had an opportunity to course of the whole lot and also you’re within the locker room taking off your shorts and gloves and cup, and your boss is available in and says, ‘Hey, you able to go once more in six weeks?’ 5 weeks, no matter it was on the time. You must leap again in coaching camp. Your physique’s type of beat up, and also you’re assured the following title shot. I perceive that. He’s subsequent in line regardless.”
As coaching companions at American Prime Staff (ATT) in Florida, there’s a chance for Poirier and Tsarukyan to collide following a Poirier title win. Despite the fact that one factor led to a different on the night time of UFC 300, Poirier famous that the 2 interacted earlier within the day (Mon., Could 6, 2024) for the primary time for the reason that selections had been made. It was temporary however not hostile, stated Poirier.
The upcoming title combat shall be Poirier’s third at undisputed gold in UFC. A unanimous determination over Max Holloway of their rematch at UFC 236 led Poirier to interim gold in April 2019. Sadly for him, it didn’t culminate within the massive one when he fell quick in opposition to Khabib Nurmagomedov later that 12 months. At age 35, Poirier is treating this like his final potential likelihood at listening to “and new.”
“I used to be simply ready the place I felt I can’t say no,” Poirier stated.
“That wasn’t a full discover for me as nicely, however I’m not ready to say, ‘Hey, I need eight weeks,’” he added. “I gotta leap on this factor and attempt to win this factor. This was it on my finish. Okay, see you in New Jersey. Increase. Let’s go to work.”
