Dustin Poirier reveals not fighting Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299; proceeds to reveal STUNNING details for fight cancellation

Dustin Poirier's latest revelation about a lack of prominent contractual agreement shocks fans.

Dustin Poirier reveals not fighting Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299; proceeds to reveal STUNNING details for fight cancellation

Dustin Poirier is out of his fight against Benoit Saint-Denis (Source: Twitter/IMAGO)

Dustin Poirier is no longer in the fight with Benoit Saint-Denis. Attributing to the fact is that they were never contractually settling to do so in the first place. The fighter took netizens by storm in a matter of hours with this latest revelation. More so by the fact that the fight was never legally binding yet. ‘The Diamond’ and Saint-Denis were to fight it out on March 9, in the co-main event of UFC 299. The fighter was prepping with top 155lbs contender Mateusz Gamrot for the bout.

Fast-rising contender Benoit Saint-Denis (13-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) was also under a full-fledged regimen. The military veteran recently left fight fans in awe, with his preparation for Poirier. Poirier has, however, nudged that there wasn’t a signed deal yet with Dana White and Co. and that he couldn’t come to terms, probably over the fight purse. Here’s what he has said on the matter (h/t @arielhelwani) – 

There was no contractual agreement before the fight was announced and we couldn't come to terms...
Dustin Poirier informed Ariel Helwani
YouTube video

Poirier (29-8 MMA, 21-7 UFC), #3 in official listings, and #4 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie lightweight rankings, had opened up a slight underdog to the Frenchman, as per oddsmakers. Notably, color commentator Joe Rogan also lauded #13 155lber Saint-Denis recently. He hyped up the military Frenchman on having actual tactical acumen and battle IQ due to his background.

Some fans fear this being one of the prime reasons for Poirier ducking out on the matchup. However, the fight bubble has been more piqued by White selling a prospective match that wasn’t yet contractually bound. Consequently, the matter has garnered many responses on social media.

Fight fans react to Dustin Poirier announcing being out of UFC 299

Dustin Poirier recently rocked the combat sports bubble in one quick swoop. All was normal, as Poirier was to face off with military veteran Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299.

Fight fans react to underhanded tactic of selling Dustin Poirier's UFC 299 bout
Fight fans react to underhanded tactic of selling Dustin Poirier’s UFC 299 bout (Source: Twitter/UFC.go.com)

On Thursday, however, the former interim lightweight champ dropped a message on X saying, “My fight is off, but I am still working.” Multiple sources from both sides, who spoke with MMA Fighting on condition of anonymity divulged they were unaware of this apparent cancellation.

Currently, here’s how fight fans have reacted to the fallout –

https://twitter.com/Ethanrix23/status/1753122114134299073?s=20

MMA Fighting’s top MMA coverage journo (of The MMA Hour fame) Ariel Helwani, later took to X to explain the situation. Apparently, there wasn’t any contractual agreement before the bout was set up, and Poirier just could not come to terms with the matter.

However, some fans have gibed that Poirier was afraid to tackle Saint-Denis’ mettle without proper incentive.

Others have incited the case of notorious boxing promoter Don King. Concurrently, many have sneered at Dana White for a similar underhanded guerrilla management style, selling out a fight without a contractual right to promotion.

UFC has yet to comment on this issue. It’s unclear if Saint-Denis will get a new opponent for UFC 299 or if the promotion will try to reschedule the fight.

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