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Dustin Poirier reacts to Islam Makhachev’s jibe at title fight call: ‘I’ve done more in the sport than he has’

Dustin Poirier reacts to Islam Makhachev's title fight call joke I've done more in the sport than him Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has hit out at undisputed gold holder, Islam Makhachev – after the Russian…

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has hit out at undisputed gold holder, Islam Makhachev – after the Russian questioned if the the recent big-winner had earned a shot at his title, despite offering him a go.

Poirier, the current number three ranked lightweight contender, returned to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 299 earlier this month, rallying to take home a stunning second round KO win over French contender, Benoit Saint Denis.

As for Makhachev, the American Kickboxing Academy staple has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 294 back in October, successfully defending his lightweight crown in a rematch win over former featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski – with a hellacious first round high-kick and strikes knockout win.

Sidelined through the period of Ramadan, Makhachev expressed an interest in a return to active competition as soon as June, and sounded out the idea of a title defense against Poirier – noting his win over Saint Denis in Miami this month, despite questioning if it was even earned on merit.

Dustin Poirier chases June fight with Islam Makhachev

And responding to Makhachev’s claims, Poirier himself stated that when it comes to the sport of mixed martial arts as a whole, he has achieved more than the current pound-for-pound pacesetter.

Dustin Poirier takes issue with Joe Rogan's commentary after UFC 299 win I can't believe he said that — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“If I could pick a fight, the title fight is my choice, that’s what I want,” Dustin Poirier told MMA Junkie. “I mean, that’s on him (Islam Makhachev) – I’ve done more in the sport of mixed martial arts than he has. I’ve been around a long time, I’ve been doing this before it was cool. And, you know, I’m still here – I’m still here doing it at the highest level. I can beat anybody in the world, and I hope he’s next.”

Who wins in a future title clash: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

Dustin Poirier previews title fight with Islam Makhachev maybe I'll submit him with a guillotine — Mandatory Credit: Megan Briggs & Zuffa LLC

Islam Makhachev blames Alex Volkanovski’s team for KO loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298: ‘He returned too soon’

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is putting blame on Alexander Volkanovski’s team for the former featherweight champ’s KO loss…

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is putting blame on Alexander Volkanovski’s team for the former featherweight champ’s KO loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298.

Volkanovski looked to defend his title in February after being knocked out by Islam Makhachev in October on short notice for the lightweight title. Many had thought Volkanovski was returning too soon from the loss to Islam Makhachev, which the Dagestani native thinks was the case as he put blame on the Aussie’s team.

UFC Saudi Arabia postponed until June amid links to Islam Makhachev comeback fight — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Islam Makhachev shares thoughts on Ilia Topuria’s win at UFC 298

“Of course (he returned too soon),” Islam Makhachev told MMA Junkie of Volkanovski. “Alex is a good fighter, he is a warrior, everybody knows. He can fight everyday. But I always said that his team is very bad because this mistake is not Alex’s mistake. It’s a mistake the team made because the team has to sit with him and tell him, ‘Hey, it’s too soon.’”

“He had a very bad, tough knockout in his last fight. He has to rest for a minimum of three or four months without training, nothing. You have to do some recovery and just wait. He go to fight again too soon. It was a big mistake. He is a warrior, he can come back, but still, he needs some time. He has to listen to his body and give some time for recovery,” Makhachev added.

Ultimately, Volkanovski did suffer a KO loss to Topuria in the second round to lose his featherweight title.

Ilia Topuria opens as betting favorite to beat Alexander Volkanovski in rematch after UFC 298 — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Following his second straight knockout loss, Alexander Volkanovski has vowed to take time off and let his brain heal.

Volkanovski is adamant he will get an immediate rematch against Topuria, and the Aussie says the plan is to return in late 2024 as he wants to take a couple of months off and make sure he is 100% as he looks to reclaim his featherweight title.

Alexander Volkanovski backed to make UFC return despite KO loss he has no symptoms

Whether or not the time off will make any difference is to be seen, but Volkanovski has confidence he can reclaim his belt.

UFC star Islam Makhachev backed as ‘More dangerous’ than Khabib Nurmagomedov: ‘He’s a better striker’

Daniel Cormier thinks Islam Makhachev is more dangerous than Khabib Nurmagomedov was in his prime. Makhachev is a close…

Daniel Cormier thinks Islam Makhachev is more dangerous than Khabib Nurmagomedov was in his prime.

Makhachev is a close friend and training partner of Nurmagomedov and the current UFC lightweight champion. The Dagestani native is coming off a KO win over Alexander Volkanovski back in October which was a statement win.

Since then, Islam Makhachev is looking to return in June, and Cormier believes it will be hard for any lightweight to beat him. Instead, Cormier thinks Makhachev is actually more dangerous than Nurmagomedov was, which is a scary thought for the lightweight contenders.

Islam Makhachev eyes June title fight with Dustin Poirier after UFC 299 he has a good guillotine — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacace & Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“Dana [White] came out a couple weeks ago and said that when he talked to Dustin [Poirier] after the fight (against Nurmagomedov), he said he was freaking out or it was Dustin or Conor [McGregor], one of them was freaking out because they said they never thought another man that can do that to them under Khabib,” Cormier said on YouTube channel. “Because of his strength and his control and the way that he manipulated you on the ground.

“I think Makhachev possesses a lot of those same types of qualities. Very similar when he gets you on the ground but because he’s a better striker, I feel he is even more dangerous than Khabib was during his prime,” Cormier added.

Islam Makhachev issues ultimatum to UFC I'll be ready to smash in March or see you after Ramadan — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Islam Makhachev has shown more of a finishing ability with his hands, as he does appear to have more power than Khabib Nurmagomedov did, which is why Daniel Cormier thinks Makhachev is more dangerous than ‘The Eagle’ was.

Daniel Cormier Believes Dustin Poirier Should Be Next For Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev does not have his next title defense booked, but the hope is he will return in June.

If Makhachev does return in June, Cormier thinks Dustin Poirier should be his next title defense after ‘The Diamond’ scored a KO win over Benoit Saint-Denis.

Khabib Nurmagomedov rules himself out of stunning comeback at UFC 300 it will be without me — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“I feel like it makes sense because if you’re trying to build a star, that star has to go through the previous star,” Cormier said of a Makhachev vs. Poirier title fight. “We saw it happen with Khabib with Conor McGregor. We saw Dustin become a star after beating Conor McGregor. We’ve seen it for as long as we’ve watched sports and sports entertainment because, in the WWF or WWE, you had the established stars, when they were ready to retire, get beat by the new up-and-coming guy. Then they would take that shine. It feels like it makes the most sense because it feels like this is the way to help and further make Islam Makhachev a star.”

For now, however, Makhachev is on the sidelines and waiting for his next fight.

Michael Chandler confident he can dethrone Islam Makhachev: ‘Styles make fights…I win this one’

Michael Chandler believes his balls-to-the-wall style of fighting can dethrone lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev. For more than a…

Michael Chandler believes his balls-to-the-wall style of fighting can dethrone lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev.

For more than a year, the former Bellator MMA titleholder has been gearing up for a fabled fight with Irish megastar Conor McGregor. Unfortunately, we’re no closer to seeing that fight happen today than we were in early 2023.

Perhaps feeling a little frustrated by his lengthy layoff, Chandler has seemingly taken aim at Makhachev, but only after the champ suggested that ‘Iron’ stop sitting around waiting for McGregor to return.

“Thanks for the unsolicited advice @MAKHACHEVMMA – I sleep just fine at night…I have a plan and you’re part of it, champ,” Chandler wrote on X, responding to Makhachev’s suggestion.”

After calling out the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ on social media, fans were quick to comment, suggesting Chandler was making a big mistake by going after the lightweight “king.”

Styles make fights…I win this one

— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) March 17, 2024

“Styles make fights…I win this one,” Chandler confidently replied.

Islam Makhachev has chosen his next opponent and it’s not Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler could be angling for a fight with Makhachev with much of the lightweight division’s top contenders i.e. Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira booked elsewhere.

Makhachev made it clear that he wants to fight this summer, regardless of who it comes against. The champ’s top choice appears to be Dustin Poirier, who is coming off a highlight-reel finish against Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299. ‘The Diamond’ is only 2-2 in his last four, but could potentially walk into his third title opportunity given the busy state of the division.

Makhachev sends a message to Dustin Poirier

Islam Makhachev has defended his lightweight title twice since scoring a submission victory over Charles Oliveira to claim the belt at UFC 280. However, both of his defenses came against former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovksi.

Michael Chandler sends warning threat to Islam Makhachev: ‘I have a plan and you’re part of it, champ’

Michael Chandler may be sticking to his guns and patiently awaiting a fight with UFC star, Conor McGregor, however,…

Michael Chandler may be sticking to his guns and patiently awaiting a fight with UFC star, Conor McGregor, however, that hasn’t stopped the Missouri native from chasing a future title challenge with incumbent gold holder, Islam Makhachev.

Chandler, the current number six ranked lightweight contender, remains sidelined since 2022, in a period which saw him compete an impressive five times inside the Octagon since his debut in the organization just the January of the year prior.

Awaiting a long-drawn out fight with former two-weight champion, McGregor, Chandler, a former three-time Bellator MMA lightweight kingpin has yet to fight since he dropped a third round rear-naked choke loss to recent UFC 299 victor, Poirier at Madison Square Garden in the pair’s grudge match.

Michael Chandler agrees to fight Conor McGregor at UFC 300 I accept see you soon — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Competing for a lightweight crown during that five fight stretch, Kill Cliff FC staple, Chandler – who has proven a favorable asset to the Dana White-led organization, was stopped with a brutal come-from-behind knockout from Charles Oliveira in the pair’s vacant title pairing.

Islam Makhachev receives warning from Michael Chandler

Maintaining he is the kryptonite to current champion, Makhachev due to his own wrestling pedigree, Chandler claimed he still plans to stand across from the Russian in the near future in another title siege.

Michael Chandler confirms he's entered camp for fight with Conor McGregor at UFC 302 — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Thanks for the unsolicited advice @MAKHACHEVMMA – I sleep just fine at night… I have a plan and you’re part of it, champ,” Michael Chandler posted on his official X account today.

Thanks for the unsolicited advice @MAKHACHEVMMA – I sleep just fine at night…I have a plan and you’re part of it, champ.

— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) March 16, 2024

Himself yet to make the walk since October of last year, pound-for-pound king, Makhachev has been sidelined since he ended his rivalry with Alexander Volkanovski with a hellacious opening round high-kick KO win.

Turning down a UFC 300 return in a monstrous main event welterweight title charge against Leon Edwards due to his participation in the religious period of Ramadan, Makhachev has sights on a June return to the Octagon, instead.

Islam Makhachev backed to retire from the UFC by end of next year he's cleared out 155 pounds — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

And in terms of potential opponents, the American Kickboxing Academy has sounded out a fight with the aforenoted, Poirier – who is fresh from a KO win over Benoit Saint-Denis earlier this month – candidly taking notice of his patented guillotine choke chases.

Who wins in a potential future fight: Islam Makhachev or Michael Chandler?

Islam Makhachev explains why he turned down UFC 300 title fight against Leon Edwards

Islam Makhachev turned down the chance to headline one of the biggest UFC events ever. Next month, UFC 300…

Islam Makhachev turned down the chance to headline one of the biggest UFC events ever.

Next month, UFC 300 will be headlined by a light heavyweight title tilt pitting reigning and defending champion Alex Pereira against former titleholder Jamahal Hill. In the weeks preceding the big announcement, multiple fighters were rumored to step into the main event spotlight next month, including Israel Adesanya, Khamzat Chimaev, and Jon ‘Bones Jones’

Among those top names was current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who revealed that UFC CEO Dana White came calling with an opportunity to move up and challenge Leon Edwards for welterweight gold.

“Honestly, yes, but it’s not possible, man,” Makhachev said when asked if he was offered the spot while speaking with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn. “Because we have Ramadan now. One month with fasting, and it’s not possible to do training in Ramadan. It’s very hard. You have to fast when the sun rises, and all day you have to fast. … Training this time is very hard.”

Islam Makhachev eyeing fight with Dustin Poirier

Considered the holiest month on the Islamic calendar, Ramadan runs from March 10 through April 9. With UFC 300 scheduled to go down on April 13, there simply wasn’t enough time for the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ to prepare himself for such an important opportunity.

“Of course (it makes me sad), this is a dream fight for me,” Makhachev said. “I don’t have any small chance to fight at UFC 300, that’s why I’m very upset, man. It’s a big deal, big fight with Leon Edwards for the second belt, but this time I miss the chance.”

Though the timeline for UFC 300 did not work out, Makhachev hopes that he can book himself a fight this summer. With both Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira already booked, Makhachev has been angling for a fight with former interim champion Dustin Poirier. The Diamond’ is fresh off a highlight-reel-worthy knockout of Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 on March 9.

“I know Dustin does not deserve the title fight, but we don’t have any option right now,” Makhachev said. “Everybody is busy. I want to fight. I want to fight three times this year. I have to call out someone, and Poirier is free now. He showed an excellent performance and scored a beautiful knockout. He’s free now, he’s healthy, and I asked him to fight in June.”

Check out the full interview with Islam Makhachev below: