“You can’t say that when you lose…” Dustin Poirier thinks Benoit Saint-Denis should ‘hush up’ about staph infection

Dustin Poirier downplays Benoit Saint-Denis’ UFC 299 staph infection claims of holding value after the latter's losing affair.

“You can’t say that when you lose…” Dustin Poirier thinks Benoit Saint-Denis should ‘hush up’ about staph infection

Dustin Poirier weighs in on Benoit Saint-Denis's staph infection claims (Source: IMAGO/Instagram)

Dustin Poirier is not on the back-peal of peak intensity just yet. Going up against military veteran Benoit Saint-Denis, he performed admirably. Not only that, but he also executed a violent KO finish on the Frenchman at the 2:32 mark of Round 2 at UFC 299.

In his recent appearance with The MMA Hour’s Ariel Helwani (for MMAFighting on SBN). Saint-Denis divulged graphic imagery of gruesome staph infection. By all appearances, he was underperforming due to the infection and thus vowed to bounce back from the frustration. Contrarily, here’s the take ‘Diamond’ has on that:

You say those type of things — I had an infection, I was battling something — when you win, you don’t say that when you lose...I’ve gone into so many fights with staph infection, with fractured foot...with lacerated bicep...Staph infection in my ear! All kinds of stuff, that’s fighting...we’re on the mats everyday. Everybody has something going on going into fights but you can’t say that when you lose. You gotta hush it up.
Dustin Poirier via MMA Junkie
YouTube video

This was in conversation with USA TODAY Sports’ coverage journo (for MMA Junkie) Mackenzie Salmon. Dustin Poirier alluded to himself being at the wrong end of a serious case of staph. However, he opinionated that it’s appropriate to bank on camp problems only if one wins. On a losing affair, it came off as an excuse. Touching down at Miami, Flordia, during the UFC 299“Embedded” Vlog series No. 1, Saint-Denis predicted a finish.

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However, Poirier is the one who lived up to his resolve to knock out Benoit Saint-Denis, which he had told ESPN MMA‘s Megan Olivi. This, and his advanced acumen of PR appropriations, only goes to show why he’s still a divisional mainstay and title-worthy staple.

Dustin Poirier believes his career accomplishment warrants a title shot

Dustin Poirier has upheld his worth as a divisional mainstay at 155 pounds. Going up against streaking peer Benoit Saint-Denis (now 13-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Poirier’s thrilling knockout finish was one for the books. Soon after, reigning 155-pound king Islam Makhachev called out Poirier.

Dustin Poirier is adamant for a title shot after win over Benoit Saint-Denis
Dustin Poirier is adamant for a title shot after win over Benoit Saint-Denis (Source: UFC.go.com)

The Dagestani took to liking this clinch. However, he later gibed at his failed submission attempts. Makhachev had told MMA Junkie‘s coverage journo Mike Bohn that Poirier did not deserve a title shot yet. However, he had yet to make a title defense against anyone at lightweight. His only defenses came against Alexander Volkanovski twice. Hence, he considered Poirier to be the next viable option.

Ranked #4 in the lightweight rankings, the 155lber recently told TMZ Sports that he’s testing himself out. As every fight could turn out to be his last. However, barring the UFC 300 matchup of Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan having title implications, he wants a shot next.

Poirier did not reveal whether the American Top Team (ATT) management or the promotion is booking anything for UFC 302. However, he’s ready for just about anything in June.

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