Dana White stamps ‘LEGEND’ status on Dustin Poirier after iconic UFC 299 performance

UFC CEO Dana White praises Dustin Poirier at the post fight press conference for his spectacular win against Benoit-Saint-Denis at UFC 299.

Dana White stamps ‘LEGEND’ status on Dustin Poirier after iconic UFC 299 performance

Dana White on Dustin Poirier ( Image via Imago )

Dustin Poirier won in a spectacular fashion at UFC 299 against Benoit Saint-Denis. A second-round brutal KO kept Poirier’s stock in the UFC intact. UFC CEO Dana White was all praises for Poirier in the post-fight press conference.

Dana White gave Dustin Poirier “legend” status after Poirier beat Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299. He expressed how Poirier’s performance in the octagon would solidify his status as a legend in the sport.

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White had the following to say:

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The fight that he took tonight with Benoit… this is the sh*t that makes you a f***king legend. These are legendary fights when you go in and you face a guy who is a s*vage. And looks like you can't win this fight or people think you can't win this fight. And then you go in and do it in spectacular fashion, the way that he did tonight.
Dana White said

He added that the UFC does not determine whether a fighter wins or loses a match. It is decided by the fighters themselves. He mentioned that all the UFC tries to do is put on the best fights that they possibly can. Talking about legacy and the number of champions that the UFC produced, Dana White said that it is in the UFC where big stars are built and legendary fights happen every weekend.

Dustin Poirier proved his striking skills in the first round despite Saint-Denis taking it. Poirier’s left uppercut stunned Saint-Denis momentarily after which he dropped Saint-Denis again midway through the second round. Eventually, Poirier won the fight by knockout in the second round. This put him back on track after getting knocked out by Justin Gaethje at UFC 291.

What did Dustin Poirer say after beating Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299?

In his post-fight press conference, Dustin Poirier said that he took this fight because he honored the sport that he did. Poirier credited Eddie Alvarez who gave him his shot in Dallas when he was a former champ and he was an up-and-coming fighter, back then. Thus standing in his position now, he said that he had to pay it back, hold his position, or lose it completely.

A snippet form Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis
A snippet form Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (via Yahoo Sports)

Poirier also said that these were the type of fights that make people love a fighter. He said one of the reasons he took this fight was to get Benoit at the ripe age of 28 years old before he became even greater a problem than he currently is.

Dustin Poirier said he would reassess his life and talk to his coach, wife, and management to think about what is next in line for him. Poirier also said he would be honored if the UFC mentioned him in the Hall of Fame in the future.

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