Team Dustin Poirier Takes Pride In Method Of Betting ‘On Himself’ Amid His Conor McGregor Feud

UFC 318 PPV headliner Dustin Poirier had clear strategy for exacting revenge on rival Conor McGregor in their second and third fights.

Team Dustin Poirier Takes Pride In Method Of Betting ‘On Himself’ Amid His Conor McGregor Feud

Dustin Poirier never gave up after loss to Conor McGregor (Source: X)

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Saturday will see UFC 318 PPV headliner Dustin Poirier make final pro MMA walk. ‘The Diamond’ is planning some magic and a unique walkout for his last ‘war’ and challenge for BMF title at UFC 318. Poirier’s run has already had many magical happenstances, an interim title win, barnburners, and some lowlights. Amid all that, his rivalry with Conor McGregor remains a turning point for his starpower.

Dustin Poirier felt he hit a definitive skill ceiling at their first-go at UFC 178 in 2014. After a heated buildup, Poirier lost to longtime rival Conor McGregor via first-round KO. It was all part of the learning curve and the tribulations that he’d face in his storied career.

However, by UFC 257 in January 2021, at a completely different setting and weight class, the Louisiana fighter would get another opportunity and would seize it. Per manager, Rob Roveta, Poirier did not give up betting on himself, and the turnout was one of the most defining MMA moments in his pro tenure.

I would say that’s the most special fight of his career, …and my favorite in terms of the mental mountain he had to climb, …The hurdle you have to overcome to get one back like that against a guy that has been talking sh*t to you for years…and talked sh*t to you back then and still doing it now — It kind of felt the same way with Khabib [at 242]…It certainly felt like the bet was against us and they looked at him as a stepping stone to far greater plans [for star McGregor]; at least that’s the way it looked like.

Rob Roveta to MMAJunkie’s Mike Bohn for ‘The Bohnfire’ #EP 40.|UFC 318 trilogy talk

The 36-year-old lightweight possessed a distinct advantage going into the UFC 257 PPV rematch with McGregor. In addition to wanting redemption for a significant loss, Poirier and his team were forced to take a risk after contractual rehashing, per his manager. The leash was stricter and one-sided on them during the COVID onslaught.

Poirier did not receive any pay-per-view points or significant financial fight bonuses/incentives. A trilogy clause was established, taking all of these factors into account. The clause stipulated that if Poirier emerged victorious, he would be entitled to a rubber match against McGregor in the immediate future, along with all the associated perks.

However, diamonds are forged under pressure, and so was Poirier. Speaking to SkySports in 2015, the rising star projected as much, saying if he didn’t fight ‘The Notorious’ emotionally, he’d be his own notoriety. As a result, he predicted his KO, making good on his thoughts half a decade later. One other name, other than his manager, thinks his wins against the Irishman remains in a league of its own.

One part of Dustin Poirier’s KO over Conor McGregor has left wife feeling “salty” with brass

Dustin Poirier announced his farewell fight plans yet again after a failed 155-pound title bid 13 months ago. As a result, he’d make his final walk against the BMF champion Max Holloway, close to home, at the Big Easy. But he’d be doing so without ever having the tag of an UFC undisputed king.

Dustin Poirier’s wife insists he should have been champ after Conor McGregor KO
Dustin Poirier’s wife insists he should have been champ after Conor McGregor KO (Source: X)

For his wife, it’s a lapse in judgment from UFC execs, who should have pushed his certain bouts to championship status, mostly his rematch over Conor McGregor. The Irishman has been out of the fighting game since his 2021 TKO leg break at UFC 264 against Poirier. But Poirier’s second coming and revenge spree right before that was a sweet spot for fight fanatics.

ESPN MMA’s recent IG posts have been asking people to comment on Poirier’s career, under his montages. The likes of Louisiana native Daniel Cormier (who’s hence emotionally tethered to this fight) and Jorge Masvidal did so. As did his wife, Jolie, who has been a big element in this decade-long UFC rivalry. Per her, UFC should have gamed the chance to push this further.

There’s so many [and] it’s hard to choose from [career moments], …Probably seeing him win the belt against Max in 2019, then watching him knock out Conor in 2021 when everyone was looking past him. And he should’ve walked out with the undisputed 155 title that night since it was vacated lol #stillsalty

Jolie Poirier via IG comments

Many shared her sentiment that execs should’ve pushed the UFC 257 PPV main event between Poirier and McGregor for the undisputed 155-pound title. But it is what it is; Poirier has been through a murderer’s row of top talents, and come this Saturday, he wants to end it on a high note.

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