Tag: Dustin Poirier

Dustin Poirier Makes His Pick For 2024 Knockout Of The Year: ‘Never Really Seen Him Rocked’

UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier has revealed his choice for Knockout of the Year — and it’s not Max Holloway’s finish of Justin Gaethje. With mixed martial arts’ leading promotion concluding its schedule for 2024, focus has turned to a number of categories for the annual year-end awards. And perhaps the most discussed is who […]

UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier has revealed his choice for Knockout of the Year — and it’s not Max Holloway’s finish of Justin Gaethje.

With mixed martial arts’ leading promotion concluding its schedule for 2024, focus has turned to a number of categories for the annual year-end awards. And perhaps the most discussed is who delivered the top KO across the past 12 months.

Leading the way for most appears to be the top moment from this past April’s milestone UFC 300 pay-per-view, which saw Holloway sleep Gaethje with just one second remaining to capture the symbolic BMF crown.

But while many are selecting that as their pick for 2024, Poirier actually has Holloway on the wrong end of his choice…

During a recent appearance on ESPN MMA‘s Good Guy/Bad Guy show with Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen, Poirier pointed to featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria’s brutal finish of “Blessed” at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.

Explaining his choice, the Louisianan noted Holloway’s status as a fighter yet to be dropped or even hurt significantly on the feet in MMA before October’s numbered event at Etihad Arena.

“Just how elusive (Holloway) is there but also the guys he fought, he’s never been put down,” Poirier said. “Taking big shots and always answering the bell, always getting back up, always showing up to the next round. Never really seen him rocked or stumble that much. And to get put down for the first time after 30-plus UFC fights is, to me, Knockout of the Year.”

The result marks one of two candidates for KO of the Year that Topuria delivered in 2024. Eight months prior, the Spaniard rendered Alexander Volkanovski unconscious in the second round of their title fight in Anaheim.

Having defended the belt at Holloway’s expense to close out his year, “El Matador” will no doubt look to display more violence in 2025, perhaps with a different UFC championship on the light given his recent lightweight tease.

Rafael Fiziev Discusses Potential Opponents For His Return: ‘A Miracle If I Fight With Dustin’

The #11-ranked UFC lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev recently took to social media to announce that he has already been accepting fights and dates for his return. “Ataman” has been out of action since September last year where his main event clash at the Apex with Mateusz Gamrot unfortunately ended when he suffered a leg injury […]

The #11-ranked UFC lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev recently took to social media to announce that he has already been accepting fights and dates for his return. “Ataman” has been out of action since September last year where his main event clash at the Apex with Mateusz Gamrot unfortunately ended when he suffered a leg injury in the second round.

With his manager reportedly stating that he had agreed a fight for the promotion’s return to Saudi Arabia in February, many fans hoped that this would mean a match-up with Dustin Poirier who has also spoken about wanting to fight early on in 2025 in one of his final Octagon appearances.

In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Fiziev said that though it would be an honor for him to share the cage with “The Diamond”, he doesn’t think that it is likely to happen.

“Many people talking something about Dustin like I see some in internet but it’s good. If I fight Dustin, of course it’s good. He’s a legend, he’s a former champion. Yeah for me, it’s like a miracle if I fight with Dustin but I’m not sure with this.”

Fiziev said in the interview that he has will accept any date that the UFC offer him and would be open to fighting anybody up or down the rankings to get back in the mix. However, he did have one preferred opponent.

“After my last loss against Gamrot, like after I get surgery, I talk with my manager and I tell him ‘Bro, I want to fight this guy.’ I want a rematch because I still want to feel this pressure, like wrestling pressure and grappling pressure. I still want to fight with elite grappler like him and I still want to check myself against wrestlers like him.”

Chael Sonnen Makes The Case For Why A Third Fight Between Max Holloway & Dustin Poirier Might Be Different   

Following his loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, Max Holloway made an announcement about his career going forwards. The former featherweight champion has spent most of his time in the UFC competing at 145-pounds but no more. Before returning to the weight class to challenge Topuria for the title, “Blessed” defeated Justin Gaethje for […]

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Makes The Case For Why A Third Fight Between Max Holloway & Dustin Poirier Might Be Different    at MMA News.

Following his loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, Max Holloway made an announcement about his career going forwards. The former featherweight champion has spent most of his time in the UFC competing at 145-pounds but no more.

Before returning to the weight class to challenge Topuria for the title, “Blessed” defeated Justin Gaethje for the BMF title at lightweight and put in one of his best performances to date in the process. With Holloway announcing that lightweight is now his permanent home, this opens up some very exciting options for him.

One fight that he already mentioned is a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier which could serve as one of the final fights in the great career of “The Diamond”. Poirier already holds two wins over Holloway but that doesn’t stop Chael Sonnen from wanting to see them run it back one more time before Poirier retires.

In a recent YouTube video, he made it clear that he wouldn’t usually be campaigning to see a third fight between two opponents where one of them is already two up in the series. However, Sonnen also made the case for why the third fight could be different than the previous two.

Holloway’s first encounter with Poirier came in his UFC debut where he had just four pro fights under his belt at the time. The second time around at UFC 236, Poirier was able to break the Hawaiian’s incredible winning streak but this was Holloway’s first time moving up to 155-pounds and he didn’t look the same as he did at featherweight.

With him now committing to lightweight, Sonnen thinks this makes the trilogy more interesting than before.

“So let’s make a case for Max. Is Max better now than he was then? No. But, is Max different? Yeah, he definitely could be. Yeah, you bet your a** he could be different because one thing that is different is Max is not playing at 55 before he goes back to 45. He is done at 45, he has made that commitment, he has absolutely closed that book. That’s a big deal and you’ll never hear me act like 10 pounds is a lot but from 45 to 55, it is.”

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Makes The Case For Why A Third Fight Between Max Holloway & Dustin Poirier Might Be Different    at MMA News.

Chael Sonnen Makes The Case For Why A Third Fight Between Max Holloway & Dustin Poirier Might Be Different   

Following his loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, Max Holloway made an announcement about his career going forwards. The former featherweight champion has spent most of his time in the UFC competing at 145-pounds but no more. Before returning to the weight class to challenge Topuria for the title, “Blessed” defeated Justin Gaethje for […]

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Makes The Case For Why A Third Fight Between Max Holloway & Dustin Poirier Might Be Different    at MMA News.

Following his loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, Max Holloway made an announcement about his career going forwards. The former featherweight champion has spent most of his time in the UFC competing at 145-pounds but no more.

Before returning to the weight class to challenge Topuria for the title, “Blessed” defeated Justin Gaethje for the BMF title at lightweight and put in one of his best performances to date in the process. With Holloway announcing that lightweight is now his permanent home, this opens up some very exciting options for him.

One fight that he already mentioned is a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier which could serve as one of the final fights in the great career of “The Diamond”. Poirier already holds two wins over Holloway but that doesn’t stop Chael Sonnen from wanting to see them run it back one more time before Poirier retires.

In a recent YouTube video, he made it clear that he wouldn’t usually be campaigning to see a third fight between two opponents where one of them is already two up in the series. However, Sonnen also made the case for why the third fight could be different than the previous two.

Holloway’s first encounter with Poirier came in his UFC debut where he had just four pro fights under his belt at the time. The second time around at UFC 236, Poirier was able to break the Hawaiian’s incredible winning streak but this was Holloway’s first time moving up to 155-pounds and he didn’t look the same as he did at featherweight.

With him now committing to lightweight, Sonnen thinks this makes the trilogy more interesting than before.

“So let’s make a case for Max. Is Max better now than he was then? No. But, is Max different? Yeah, he definitely could be. Yeah, you bet your a** he could be different because one thing that is different is Max is not playing at 55 before he goes back to 45. He is done at 45, he has made that commitment, he has absolutely closed that book. That’s a big deal and you’ll never hear me act like 10 pounds is a lot but from 45 to 55, it is.”

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Makes The Case For Why A Third Fight Between Max Holloway & Dustin Poirier Might Be Different    at MMA News.

Cormier: Max Holloway Should Look For Lesser ‘Challenge’ Than Dustin Poirier In Lightweight Return

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier hopes to see Max Holloway work his way up the the competition levels at 155 pounds. A new chapter in the illustrious career of Holloway appears set to get underway in 2025. After falling short of regaining the featherweight title last month in Abu Dhabi, the fan favorite will […]

Continue Reading Cormier: Max Holloway Should Look For Lesser ‘Challenge’ Than Dustin Poirier In Lightweight Return at MMA News.

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier hopes to see Max Holloway work his way up the the competition levels at 155 pounds.

A new chapter in the illustrious career of Holloway appears set to get underway in 2025. After falling short of regaining the featherweight title last month in Abu Dhabi, the fan favorite will soon bid farewell to 145 pounds.

“Blessed” hinted at a permanent move up to lightweight in the immediate aftermath of his first knockout loss at the hands of Ilia Topuria, and he subsequently confirmed that decision this past weekend.

Courtesy of his BMF title-winning knockout of Justin Gaethje this past April, Holloway already finds himself inside the top five at 155 pounds. With that in mind, a potential title eliminator against a high-ranked name could be awaiting him.

Cormier, though, hopes that isn’t the case.

During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Cormier acknowledged that bouts against the top names in the lightweight division will be available for Holloway.

“DC,” however, would much rather see the Hawaiian start from the ground up.

“He’s asking for Dustin Poirier. That would be absolutely fantastic. But is there a better way to introduce Max Holloway into the lightweight division?” Cormier said. “Do we put him in there with a Dustin for a third time? Or do we see what happens with Michael Chandler after he fights Charles Oliveira? Or do we start to kind of look down the rankings a little bit, Chael, and say, ‘Well, it would be fun to watch him fight a Rafael Fiziev. It would be fun to watch him fight a Benoît Saint Denis. It would be fun to watch him fight a Paddy Pimblett.’

“I know that might not be fun for Max, might not be great for Max, but it would give him an opportunity to work his way back into contention without being in there with these absolute killers,” Cormier continued. “Personally, I would like to see Max Holloway not stand across from Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Alexander Volkanovski. … Something not as crazy of a challenge.”

Unfortunately for Cormier, his pleas may prove to be too little, too late.

The ball seems to be firmly rolling on a third chapter in Poirier and Holloway’s story, with the former recently giving his approval to “Blessed’s” callout on social media.

Continue Reading Cormier: Max Holloway Should Look For Lesser ‘Challenge’ Than Dustin Poirier In Lightweight Return at MMA News.

Fight Breakdown: Dustin Poirier Spills the Secrets to Charles Oliveira’s Victory Over Michael Chandler at UFC 309

Dustin Poirier Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler UFC 309Do Bronx’ Charles Oliveira is set to rematch Michael Chandler at UFC 309, and mutual opponent ‘The Diamond’ Dustin…

Dustin Poirier Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler UFC 309

Do Bronx’ Charles Oliveira is set to rematch Michael Chandler at UFC 309, and mutual opponent ‘The Diamond’ Dustin Poirier has offered his thoughts on the upcoming fight booked for November 17 live from Madison Square Garden in New York City, USA.

Dustin Poirier on Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler

Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler are both aggressive action-packed fighters, each is aggressive with heavy strikes and mixes groundwork into their games. Iron’ Michael Chandler comes from a wrestling background and was a former Bellator world champion. Do Bronx’ Charles Oliveira is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert who has developed a dangerous Muay Thai game.

Charles Oliveira Next Fight

Chandler and Oliveira first met in 2021 with the vacant lightweight world title on the line. It was a back-and-forth war, but ultimately, the Brazilian got his hand raised with a second-round TKO.

Perennial contender Dustin Poirier has faced both men, with a win over Chandler and a loss to Oliveira. Speaking recently, ‘The Diamond’ offered his thoughts on the UFC 309 lightweight matchup. He said:

“I think it’s a fun matchup. But I think if Charles Oliveira goes into this fight with the same mindset he had when I fought him or the first time Chandler fought him, I think he’s gonna get the win. Obviously, Chandler is very explosive, an incredible athlete, and can hurt and put away Charles. But, I just think Charles is going to be better everywhere, on the feet and on the ground.”

UFC 309

Given the track record of both men, the UFC 309 lightweight showdown could be a fight-of-the-year contender. Charles Oliveira is looking to take one step closer to reclaiming his crown, while Chandler is looking to keep busy while waiting on his previously booked match against Conor Mcgregor. Dustin Poirier currently has no upcoming fight scheduled, but recently said that he has one more fight in him before retiring.