“I’m gonna knock him out!” Veteran Dustin Poirier vows to show Benoit Saint-Denis levels at UFC 299 fight

Dustin Poirier trusts his mettle to go the distance with Benoit Saint-Denis and even knock him out if need be.

“I’m gonna knock him out!” Veteran Dustin Poirier vows to show Benoit Saint-Denis levels at UFC 299 fight

Dustin Poirier trusts himself to get it done vs. Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 (Source: Instagram/IMAGO)

Division veteran Dustin Poirier goes up against dangerous prospect Benoit Saint-Denis at Kaseya Center. The bout is a 5-round, non-title affair at UFC 299. The bout could consequently have major title shot implications. Saint-Denis already has a clear resolve to submit or knock out the former lightweight interim champion

But so does Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier; diamonds forge under great pressure after all. The ceremonial weigh-ins and staredowns further excited the fight fans. While the electric tension persisted, so did the utmost respect. Brimming with resolve, ‘Let’s go!‘ is all Poirier uttered under his breath. Now, speaking to ESPN MMA‘s Megan Olivi, here’s what he said:

I think I’m gonna knock [Benoit] out…If it has to go long, if it has to get gritty…if it has to get ugly dog fight, I’m no stranger to that. But I’m gonna knock him out…

Dustin Poirier via ESPN MMA
YouTube video

This was after the UFC 299’s official weigh-ins. Poirier is the veteran and he aims for his 30th win of pro-MMA career. He is under no delusion about it, understanding fully well that any fight might result in retirement for him. He prompted as much in a recent sitdown with TMZ Sports. However, the ‘Diamond’ did not take anything lightly either.

FS Video

Poirier also spoke with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto during official Fight Week. The ‘Diamond’ said he hopes to be there for his family. Knowing well that a piece of him might get chipped away in this fight, he thought confidence as the key factor. While he cannot do it forever, he does mean business and will give it his all.

Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis: One last close look

In the co-main event of UFC 299, lightweight veteran Dustin Poirier meets his match with a military combat veteran with a high battle IQ. He faces streaking 13-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC peer Benoit Saint-Denis.

'God of War' vs. 'Diamond': Unstoppable force vs. immovable obstacle for UFC 299
‘God of War’ vs. ‘Diamond’: Unstoppable force vs. immovable obstacle for UFC 299 (Source: Twitter/UFC.go.com)

Here’s a closer look at both –

The effective Southpaw/boxing striker from the American Top Team (ATT), is a Former interim UFC lightweight and a pro grappler. He boasts a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

14 KO victories, eight submission wins, 13 first-round finishes – name it; he has done it all. He also entails a dominant record against Southpaw fighters in the UFC. Poirier competed at UFC 291 for the BMF title in his last outing.

The Frenchman, meanwhile, is a Judoka and BJJ black belt as well. Benoit Saint-Denis last fought fellow military veteran Matt Frevola at UFC 295. With a highlight-reel knockout, his Veteran’s Day tribute thanking America for saving France in WWII went viral.

Saint-Denis has fought well in the UFC with spectacular finishes. He is called ‘God of War‘ for a reason, often resorting to definitive striking and bloody fallout. With two southpaw pro-grapplers facing each other, the battle is sure to reach new intensities. Only time will tell who comes out on top.

In case you missed it: