Tag: Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev has welcomed the prospect of a June title showdown with UFC 299 big winner, Dustin Poirier – claiming the Lafayette native possesses a good guillotine choke in response to his call out for a summer championship fight.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter on the promotion’s books, has been sidelined since last October, most recently turning in a blistering first round high-kick and strikes knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s title rematch.

As for Poirier, the Louisianan co-headlined UFC 299 last weekend in Miami, landing an impressive second round KO win over surging French contender, Benoit Saint-Denis – after battling through some notable adversity, and apparent fatigue, according to veteran caller, Joe Rogan.

Islam Makhachev calls for Dustin Poirier title fight next

Receiving an almost immediate offer Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz of a June title fight against his client, Poirier has welcomed the prospect of fighting the dominant Russian calling out the former for a June showdown next. 

“I know Dustin (Poirier) does not deserve a title fight, but we don’t have any [other] option right now,” Islam Makhachev told MMA Junkie. “Everybody is busy, but I want to fight, you know? I want to fight three times in the year, that’s why I just have to call out someone, and Poirier is free now. And he showed an excellent performance, and scored a beautiful knockout. …”

“He’s a legend, he’s beat a lot of tough guys,” Islam Makhachev said. “And he’s a tough opponent, too. He has a good guillotine.” 

Sidelined through the coming months amid his participation in the religious period of Ramadan, Makhachev was rumored to fight for welterweight gold at UFC 300 next month – in a monstrous fight against undisputed gold holder, Leon Edwards, ultimately to no avail. 

Who wins in a potential June title fight: Dustin Poirier or Islam Makhachev?

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has once again campaigned for a title fight with undisputed divisional gold holder, Islam Makhachev – after receiving an offer to fight the Russian as soon as June, off the back of his knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis over the weekend at UFC 299.

Poirier, the current number three ranked lightweight contender, co-headlined UFC 299 over the course of the weekend in Miami, turning back the surging Nimes native, Saint-Denis with a huge second round KO – after battling through massive adversity throughout the opening round.

Fighting off numerous submission attempts from the streaking French prospect, Poirier managed to wobble and bring Saint-Denis to one knee with a cleverly-placed uppercut in close, before then cannoning off a huge right hook counter, knocking out the Frenchman in front of a raucous crowd at the Kaseya Center.

And receiving an outright offer from Dominance MMA leader, Ali Abdelaziz to fight his client, Makhachev in an undisputed lightweight title fight as soon as June – Poirier himself then called out the pound-for-pound kingpin for a summer title showdown.

Dustin Poirier previews Islam Makahchev title fight

Receiving backing from promotional CEO, Dana White, who claimed the Lafayette native’s stardom reached a new level off the back of his win over Saint-Denis, which he described as “legendary”, Poirier claimed he may line up an almost patented guillotine choke attempt on the Russian should they meet next.

“I’ll never stop jumping guillotines either,” Dustin Poirier told MMA Fighting. “But, he (Benoit Saint-Denis) never took me down neither. I took myself down like five times.”

“I don’t know, I need to stop [attempting guillotine chokes], but I will never,” Dustin Poirier said defiantly. “Yeah, I hit it a lot [during training], I hit it a lot, I put people unconscious – never in a fight though. Maybe I’ll submit Islam (Makhachev) with it.”

Himself sidelined since October of last year, Makhachev most recently headlined UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, UAE – landing a blistering first round high-kick knockout win over former undisputed featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s rematch.

Can Dustin Poirier end the title run of the dominant Islam Makhachev?

After a stunning victory at UFC 299 over Benoit St. Denis, Dustin Poirier may have casually dropped major fight news on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Dustin Poirier was as big as a +184 underdog leading into the matchup, while fans, media, and fellow fighters highly criticized that line. The fight itself was a complete war. Benoit St. Denis pursued ‘The Diamond’ relentlessly, and at times it was all Poirier could do to cover up and weather the storm.

The Diamond’ kept jumping for guillotines and placing himself in bad positions on the ground, but his wrestling and jiu-jitsu game spoke for itself. Each time Poirier landed in those spots, he would go on to defend very well.

In the second round, Poirier could almost touch St. Denis at will, and St. Denis did not take his power well at all. Each shot seemed to stumble the ‘God of War’, and eventually, Poirier’s pure power and accuracy sealed the deal and landed him another stunning KO finish to add to the collection.

Dustin Poirier Casually Hints At Potential Big Fight News

After the monumental victory, Dustin Poirier wasted no time before letting the fight world in on his potential next move. Responding to Makhachev’s manager who first offered the fight on X, Poirier would seemingly confirm the fight on his own channel.

“Islam in June,” Poirier posted on X. Nothing less, and nothing more. Of course, this is not proof in itself of the fight coming to fruition. Such things are often bantered about, and Poirier would no doubt love to end his career as a UFC champion. However, could one speculate that the matchup itself makes a lot of sense? Yes, absolutely.

Islam in June

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) March 10, 2024

Dustin Poirier, despite his age, remains one of the greatest lightweights in the UFC’s history. A fight with Islam Makhachev is almost destined to be, especially when factoring in Poirier’s history with Khabib Nurmagomedov (who is like a brother to Islam).

Regardless of what happens, a fight between the two would be of monumental proportions. While not inked in stone, it could be safe to assume the fight will be a done deal sooner, rather than later.

Who would you like to see Islam Makhachev defend his lightweight title against?

Following his stunning knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 last night, former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has been offered the chance to compete for undisputed spoils once more, in the form of a June title chase with Islam Makhachev, by the incumbent’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz.

Poirier, the current number three ranked lightweight contender, returned to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 299 last night against French contender, Saint-Denis – once more walking though the fire to prevail in a gruelling co-main event clash.

Rallying following an adversity-filled first round which contained a number of rear-naked choke attempts and vicious punches upstairs, Poirier eventually found the mark on the Nimes native, buckling his knees with a well-placed left uppercut in close.

And after missing out on yet another attempted guillotine choke in a guard pull, Poirier circled out and clipped Saint-Denis with a thunderous right hook – felling him and following up with ground strikes for a massive stoppage win in Miami.

Boasted to fight for the lightweight title in the near future amid reaching a new-level of stardom according to promotional boss, Dana White, Lafayette native, Poirier has been offered a clash with Makhachev by his manager Abdelaziz – who suggested a June championship affair.

Dustin Poirier offered title fight after UFC 299

“Dustin Poirier took a huge risk tonight and came out on top and looked amazing,” Ali Abdelaziz posted on his official X account. “Dustin vs. @MAKHACHEVMMA in June especially since everyone else has fights [at lightweight]. If the UFC is good with this, then Islam would be game.” 

Dustin Poirier took a huge risk tonight and came out on top and looked amazing. Dustin vs @MAKHACHEVMMA in June especially since everyone else has fights. If the UFC is good with this then Islam would be game.

— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) March 10, 2024

Heralded by fans and fellow fighters for his stunning come-from-behind win over Saint-Denis, Poirier received plaudits from arch-rival and three-time foe, former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor last night – who also applauded French president, Emmanuel Macron for some reason to boot.

“Great fight out of them French boys tonight! Toutes nos félicitations @DustinPoirier @BenoitSt_Denis @EmmanuelMacron” 

Great fight out of them French boys tonight! Toutes nos félicitations @DustinPoirier @BenoitSt_Denis @EmmanuelMacron

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 10, 2024

Would you like to see Dustin Poirier fight Islam Makhachev in June?