Tag: Benoit Saint Denis

Dustin Poirier reverses claim that Saint-Denis fight at UFC 299 is off, Dana White goes scorched earth MMA media

Dustin PoirierFirst, Dustin Poirier was fighting at UFC 299. Then he wasn’t. Now he is. It’s been a busy Thursday…

Dustin Poirier

First, Dustin Poirier was fighting at UFC 299. Then he wasn’t. Now he is. It’s been a busy Thursday afternoon for ‘The Diamond’ on social media.

Last month, Dana White announced that Poirier would square off with rising lightweight contender Benoit Saint-Denis on March 9 when the promotion returns to Miami one month before its massive landmark event in Las Vegas. Fight fans were genuinely amped up for the scrap as it represented a fresh matchup in a division that has seen the top fighters round-robin each other for the last few years. However, disaster seemingly struck when Poirier took to social media writing, “My fights off but still working.”

Ariel Helwani, host of The MMA Hour, reportedly spoke to Poirier who revealed that “there was no contractual agreement before the fight was announced and we couldn’t come to terms.”

The immediate question that arose was, why is the UFC announcing fights they have yet to sign? Truth be told, it is a fairly common practice within the promotion, but it appears that in this instance, it came back to bite them on the a**.

As the events continued to unfold, Dana White saw another opportunity to slam the MMA media by accusing outlets of producing clickbait despite the fact that Poirier himself was the one who revealed that the fight was off. He also shared a conversation with Saint-Denis’ fight team confirming details of the bout.

Saint-Denis’ acceptance of the fight was never in question, so why White chose to share this particular screenshot is nothing short of baffling.

Dustin Poirier Reverses Stance, Says Fight with Saint-Denis is Back On After ‘Misunderstanding’ with his manager

In yet another twist to the story, Dustin Poirier reversed his position shortly after announcing that the fight was off.

“Sorry folks, I jumped the gun, I couldn’t get a hold of my manager for a few days,” Poirier wrote on X. “I just spoke with him and Hunter. Misunderstanding on my part. Fight is on! See you March 9th Miami!!!”

It didn’t take long for everyone to read between the lines and see that Poirier was simply “playing the game” by going public to get the deal that he wanted out of the stingy UFC back office.

“Dustin finally going public got him what he wanted,” Helwani reported on social media. “That’s the biz. Good on him. Doesn’t change the fact that up until an hour ago he didn’t agree – remember he broke this story, no one else – and when this was announced almost a month ago he hadn’t agreed. No one is denying that BSD agreed, which his team has confirmed.”

So it appears that all of this was nothing more than a game of cat and mouse between Poirier and the promotion with the MMA media being used as bait.

Well played, Mr. Poirier. Well played.

Dustin Poirier reverses claim that Saint-Denis fight at UFC 299 is off, Dana White goes scorched earth MMA media

Dustin PoirierFirst, Dustin Poirier was fighting at UFC 299. Then he wasn’t. Now he is. It’s been a busy Thursday…

Dustin Poirier

First, Dustin Poirier was fighting at UFC 299. Then he wasn’t. Now he is. It’s been a busy Thursday afternoon for ‘The Diamond’ on social media.

Last month, Dana White announced that Poirier would square off with rising lightweight contender Benoit Saint-Denis on March 9 when the promotion returns to Miami one month before its massive landmark event in Las Vegas. Fight fans were genuinely amped up for the scrap as it represented a fresh matchup in a division that has seen the top fighters round-robin each other for the last few years. However, disaster seemingly struck when Poirier took to social media writing, “My fights off but still working.”

Ariel Helwani, host of The MMA Hour, reportedly spoke to Poirier who revealed that “there was no contractual agreement before the fight was announced and we couldn’t come to terms.”

The immediate question that arose was, why is the UFC announcing fights they have yet to sign? Truth be told, it is a fairly common practice within the promotion, but it appears that in this instance, it came back to bite them on the a**.

As the events continued to unfold, Dana White saw another opportunity to slam the MMA media by accusing outlets of producing clickbait despite the fact that Poirier himself was the one who revealed that the fight was off. He also shared a conversation with Saint-Denis’ fight team confirming details of the bout.

Saint-Denis’ acceptance of the fight was never in question, so why White chose to share this particular screenshot is nothing short of baffling.

Dustin Poirier Reverses Stance, Says Fight with Saint-Denis is Back On After ‘Misunderstanding’ with his manager

In yet another twist to the story, Dustin Poirier reversed his position shortly after announcing that the fight was off.

“Sorry folks, I jumped the gun, I couldn’t get a hold of my manager for a few days,” Poirier wrote on X. “I just spoke with him and Hunter. Misunderstanding on my part. Fight is on! See you March 9th Miami!!!”

It didn’t take long for everyone to read between the lines and see that Poirier was simply “playing the game” by going public to get the deal that he wanted out of the stingy UFC back office.

“Dustin finally going public got him what he wanted,” Helwani reported on social media. “That’s the biz. Good on him. Doesn’t change the fact that up until an hour ago he didn’t agree – remember he broke this story, no one else – and when this was announced almost a month ago he hadn’t agreed. No one is denying that BSD agreed, which his team has confirmed.”

So it appears that all of this was nothing more than a game of cat and mouse between Poirier and the promotion with the MMA media being used as bait.

Well played, Mr. Poirier. Well played.

Breaking – Dustin Poirier reveals clash with Benoit Saint Denis axed from UFC 299: ‘My fights off but I’m still working’

Dustin Poirier reveals Benoit Saint Denis fight is off UFC 299 I'm still workingFormer interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has revealed his planned five round clash with surging division contender, Benoit Saint…

Dustin Poirier reveals Benoit Saint Denis fight is off UFC 299 I'm still working

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has revealed his planned five round clash with surging division contender, Benoit Saint Denis – slated for the co-main event of UFC 299 in March is off, however, claims he is still “working” to make his first Octagon walk since last summer.

Poirier, a former interim lightweight titleholder and current number two three ranked divisional challenger, has been sidelined since he took main event honors at UFC 291 back in July of last year.

Dropping a stunning rematch loss to fellow former interim gold holder, Justin Gaethje, Lafayette native, Poirier was stopped with a spectacular second round high-kick KO loss to the Arizona native in the pair’s symbolic BMF title clash.

Dustin Poirier claims UFC 299 fight is off

And slated to co-headline UFC 299 in Miami, Florida this weekend in a pivotal lightweight scrap over the course of five rounds, Poirier has now revealed his set fight with French contender, Saint Denis is now shelved.

“My fights off but I’m still working,” Dustin Poirier posted on his official X account on Thursday evening.

Riding a five-fight winning spree into his planned UFC 299 co-headlining slot with Poirier, Nimes native, Saint Denis most recently turned in a devastating high-kick KO win of his own back in November at UFC 295, landing a first round win over Matt Frevola. The victory came off the back of recent stoppages of both Thiago Moises, and Ismael Bonfim. Saint Denis’ winning spree of five fights has earned him the number eleven rank in the official lightweight rankings. 

UFC 299 is slated to take place on March 9. from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida – with an undisputed bantamweight championship rematch between incumbent gold holder, Sean O’Malley, and incoming challenger, Marlon Vera slated to take headlining honors on ‘The Sunshine State’ card. 

Do you think Dustin Poirier remains on the UFC 299 card?

Dustin Poirier issued warning ahead of Benoit Saint-Denis fight at UFC 299: ‘He’s such a scary guy’

Dustin Poirier warned ahead of Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 that guy is so scaryFormer interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has been urged to keep his p’s and q’s in check at UFC…

Dustin Poirier warned ahead of Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 that guy is so scary

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has been urged to keep his p’s and q’s in check at UFC 299 in March, with color-commentator, Joe Rogan pointing to the recent finishing streak of surging contender and incoming foe, Benoit Saint-Denis.

Poirier, the current number three ranked lightweight challenger, has been sidelined since he featured in the main event of UFC 291 back in July of last year.

Suffering a stunning second round loss, Poirier was stopped with a devastating high-kick KO loss to fellow former interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje in the pair’s title rematch. 

As for Saint-Denis, the Frenchman turned in his fifth consecutive victory and stoppage win at UFC 295 back in November at Madison Square Garden, landing a first round high-kick KO win of his own against Matt Frevola – earning the number eleven rank at the lightweight limit to boot.

Dustin Poirier warned ahead of UFC 299 return

And opening as a significant betting underdog to beat Saint-Denis at UFC 299 in March, Poirier has been warned of the incoming threat of the former by veteran UFC caller, Rogan.

“This is such a big fight,” Joe Rogan said on The Joe Rogan Experience. “Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint-Denis. That’s the big fight. That Saint-Denis guy is a f*cking killer. He’s such a killer, that guy’s such a scary guy.”

“I’m telling you, that Saint-Denis is next level,” Rogan explained. “He’s got furnaces going in his eyes. You look into that guy’s eyes, there’s hell going on behind those eyes. He’s built for it. So, him versus Dustin, is very exciting. And Dustin better be ready to go. You better be ready to go with that guy, because he’s going to try and make a name off of him.” 

Who wins at UFC 299 in March: Dustin Poirier or Benoit Saint-Denis?

Dustin Poirier opens as surprise betting underdog ahead of Benoit Saint Denis fight at UFC 299 in March

Dustin Poirier opens as betting underdog to beat Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has opened as a quite stark betting underdog largely across the board for…

Dustin Poirier opens as betting underdog to beat Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has opened as a quite stark betting underdog largely across the board for his UFC 299 co-main event clash with Benoit Saint Denis in April – as the Lafayette native books his second consecutive five round clash.

Poirier, a former interim lightweight titleholder and current number three ranked divisional contender, most recently competed in the main event of UFC 291 back in July, taking on fellow former interim gold holder, Justin Gaethje in a symbolic BMF championship fight atop a Salt Lake City flagship card for the promotion.

Suffering just his second knockout loss at the lightweight limit since his 2015 return to 155 pounds, Poirier was stopped with a devastating second round high-kick from Gaethje – who minted himself as just the second-ever BMF champion, after an inaugural title win from Dustin Poirier’s teammate, Jorge Masvidal.

As for Saint Denis, the surging finisher most recently featured at UFC 295 back in November in a Madison Square Garden first for the Frenchman, landing his fifth consecutive victory with a blistering first round high-kick knockout win over Matt Frevola. The win earned Saint Denis the number twelve rank at lightweight to boot.

Dustin Poirier opens as a betting underdog ahead of UFC 299

However, despite his prestige at the lightweight limit, perennial contender, Dustin Poirier is available as a betting underdog off the bat for his fight with Benoit Saint Denis – opening at odds as high as +124 to beat the French striker, who sits as a -148 betting favorite currently. 

With 2024 gearing up to be a massive year for the Dana White-led organization, fans interested in sports betting can place money on a slew of fights including Poirier’s return against Saint Denis in March. And furthermore, the following month in April, the Octagon touches down in Las Vegas for a massive UFC 300 card – which is sure to bring with it massive punters and casino action – in tandem with a June International Fight Week card in ‘Sin City’.

With a chequered history in terms of betting odds, Dustin Poirier who opened as a betting underdog and eventually closed as one to beat three-time foe, Conor McGregor in their 2021 rematch, stopped the Dubliner with a second round KO in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

And in that summer, eventually closing as a betting favorite, Poirier initially opened as high as a +120 betting underdog to beat the charismatic striker, before landing a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO win.

Last time out, Louisiana puncher, Dustin Poirier opened as a close +105 betting underdog to beat Gaethje – whom he had previously stopped with strikes in their first fight, before closing as a -125 betting favorite, en route to a hellacious second round high-kick KO loss.

Coming into his own off the back of a desperate performance in his first-ever UFC outing, Nimes native, Saint Denis dropped a one-sided unanimous decision loss to Brazilian contender, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in his 2021 bow.

Since then, the 28-year-old has turned in consecutive victories over Niklas Stolze, Gabriel Miranda, Ismael Bonfim, Thiago Moises, and the aforementioned, Frevola – stopping each of his five opponents with either strikes or submission finishes. 

Earning his high-profile clash with Dustin Poirier at UFC 299, Benoit Saint Denis takes co-main event honors for the first time in his Octagon tenure, as well as finding himself inserted into his premier five round clash to boot.

Also featured on the massive UFC 299 card in ‘The Sunshine State’ – an undisputed bantamweight title fight rematch between champion, Sean O’Malley and challenger, Marlon Vera – with the two renewing their three-year old bitter rivalry. 

Fan-favorite welterweight contender and one-time title challenger, Gilbert Burns makes his return to the Octagon on that same UFC 299, as he takes on surging Australian contender, Jack Della Maddelena in a main card showing.

Furthermore, a high-profile striker makes his promotional bow on the flagship event, as former Bellator MMA welterweight title challenger, Michael ‘Venom’ Page makes his long-anticipated Octagon landing in a showdown with Riverside contender, Kevin Holland.

Amongst other current additions to the card, former bantamweight champion, Petr Yan returns in a bid to snap his three-fight skid in a pivotal clash against Song Yadong, while ex-lightweight kingpin, Rafael dos Anjos is booked to fight American Top Team force, Mateusz Gamrot in a massive showdown. 

Another eye-catching clash sure to find it’s way to the main card is the return of perennial contender, Curtis Blaydes who takes on incoming Brazilian star, Jailton Almeida – who has so-far enjoyed a roughshod run through the division, most recently taking out Derrick Lewis on home soil late last year. 

Hoping to springboard a victory over Saint Denis into potentially one last title run, Dustin Poirier, who snatched interim gold in a rematch with Max Holloway back in 2019 – failed in a bid to unify the titles against current champion, Islam Makhachev’s close friend and trainer, Khabib Nurmagomedov in September of that same year in a submission loss in the Middle East.

Who wins in a UFC 299 fight in March: Dustin Poirier or Benoit Saint Denis?

Breaking – Dustin Poirier set for return in 5 round fight with Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299 in March

Dustin Poirier set to five Benoit Saint Denis in 5 round clash at UFC 299 in MarchFormer interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier is set fo his return to the Octagon in the opening quarter of…

Dustin Poirier set to five Benoit Saint Denis in 5 round clash at UFC 299 in March

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier is set fo his return to the Octagon in the opening quarter of the year, booking a five round co-main event clash with surging division contender, Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299 on March 9. from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

Poirier, the current number three ranked lightweight contender, most recently headlined UFC 291 back in July of last year in a symbolic BMF championship clash with fellow former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje.

Suffering just his second knockout loss at the lightweight limit since his 2015 return to the division, in the form of a second round high-kick KO.

Dustin Poirier draws Benoit Saint Denis in UFC 299 comeback

As for Saint Denis, the number twelve ranked lightweight contender turned in a hellacious victory of his own back in November against Matt Frevola, scoring a similarly devastating first round high-kick knockout win. 

UFC CEO, Dana White confirmed the booking of a lightweight clash featuring Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint Denis over the course of five rounds at UFC 299 in March. 

1-2 in his last three Octagon walks, prior to his knockout loss to Gaethje, former interim champion, Poirier landed a third round rear-naked choke win over former title chaser, Michael Chandler at Madison Square Garden in late 2022.

Challenging for undisputed lightweight gold back at the end of 2021, Poirier dropped a third round standing rear-naked choke loss to former undisputed champion, Charles Oliviera.

UFC 299 takes place on March 9. from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, with an undisputed bantamweight championship fight between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera slated to take main event honors in the promotion’s return to ‘The Sunshine State’. 

Who wins at UFC 299 in March: Dustin Poirier or Benoit Saint Denis?