“I was doing this before it was cool,” Veteran Dustin Poirier reminds champion Islam Makhachev of his accomplishments

Dustin Poirier reminds Islam Makhachev of the many battles he survived and conquered in the UFC. 

“I was doing this before it was cool,” Veteran Dustin Poirier reminds champion Islam Makhachev of his accomplishments

Dustin Poirier takes aim at Islam Makhachev and tells of his accomplishments (via Imago)

Dustin Poirier is a widely known name in the MMA world. The fighter will not just roll over and accept Islam Makhachev’s dismissive comments about his title shot worthiness. The veteran lightweight contender put in the hard work over the years, and he wanted the champ to recognize that.

Makhachev had stated that Poirier didn’t deserve to leap over the winners of Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway. Makhachev considered Poirier as an option only because no one else was available. This is what Poirier replied:

I’ve been around a long time. I was doing this before it was cool, and I’m still here. Still here doing it at the highest level. I can beat anybody in the world, and I hope he’s next.
Dustin Poirier via MMA Junkie
YouTube video

Dustin Poirier fought in the grueling sport of MMA for a long time. The 35-year-old veteran has experienced everything. This ranged from sad defeats in undisputed championship fights to brief spells as interim champion and comeback victories. Still, ‘The Diamond’ wants the undisputed title to have an everlasting legacy in the sport.

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Makhachev resides on the lightweight throne for now. But Poirier appeared determined to remind him that a fighter’s value wasn’t determined only by the amount of gold on their waist. Poirier believed in the distance covered and the years’ worth of blood, sweat, and tears. The encounter with Islam Makhachev might become the last try to achieve undisputed gold. No fighter has ever received four title shots after losing three of them.

Islam Makhachev believes Dustin Poirier doesn’t deserve the title shot

It’s evident that Islam Makhachev’s remarks upset Dustin Poirier. Makhachev said bluntly in a recent interview that Poirier did not deserve the championship match. This is a daring claim given Poirier’s long background and position in the promotion.

Islam Makhachev doesn't feel Dustin Poirier deserves the title
Islam Makhachev doesn’t feel Dustin Poirier deserves the title (via BJ Penn)

One must note that Makhachev did not completely discount Poirier’s achievements. He accepted the legendary feats of the Louisiana fighter. The Dagestani fighter appeared to put merit first when choosing his next opponent. And from that perspective, Makhachev has a point – at least on paper. The top contenders like Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Arman Tsarukyan are all booked for matchups at UFC 300.

One could argue Poirier’s recent victory over Benoit Saint-Denis doesn’t necessarily warrant an immediate title shot. But then again, this is the fight game, where narratives and storylines often trump pure sporting logic. This was evident from the recent UFC 301 headliner. And in that regard, a showdown between Makhachev and Poirier could happen next as Gaethje, Oliveira, or Tsarukyan might need more time to prepare after UFC 300.

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