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Dustin Poirier reveals status of rumored title fight with Islam Makhachev: ‘I think we’re gonna hear it soon’

Dustin Poirier may not know what’s next for him inside the Octagon, but he expects that to change real…

Dustin Poirier may not know what’s next for him inside the Octagon, but he expects that to change real soon.

‘The Diamond’ is fresh off a spectacular come-from-behind victory over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 last month. The impressive win immediately caught the attention of reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who is eager to find himself an opponent for a summertime return.

With Makahchev’s most viable title challengers — Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Arman Tsarukyan — all booked for UFC 300 on Saturday night (April 13), Poirier looks to be in the right place at the right time.

Appearing on the This Past Weekend podcast with Theo Von, Poirier revealed that he has not yet heard from the UFC regarding his potential title fight with the ‘Dagestani Destroyer,’ but believes he’ll know something in the near future.

“I don’t know what’s next, but I think we’re gonna hear it soon,” Poirier said with confidence.

Dustin Poirier has fought for and failed to walk away with the 155-pound crown on two separate occasions, the first coming against UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov in September 2019. Poirier lost via a third-round rear-naked choke. Two years later, he fought his way back to a second title opportunity, this time against then-champion Charles Oliveira. ‘The Diamond’ suffered the same fate, tapping out to an RNC in round three.

Dustin Poirier vs. Khabib and Charles Oliveira

Poirier is 2-2 in his last four fights and is still clinging onto his spot as the No. 3 ranked lightweight in the world.

Will Dustin Poirier be the first lightweight fighter to challenge Makhachev?

As for Islam Makhachev, the lightweight king has defended his title twice since capturing his crown at UFC 280 — both against former featherweight titleholder Alexander Volkanovski. His first fight with ‘The Great’ was hailed by many as the 2023 Fight of the Year and immediately generated calls for a rematch.

Eight months later, fans got their wish. Unfortunately, the circumstances weren’t optimal, particularly for Volkanovski who stepped into the fight on 10 days’ notice. He ultimately lost the bout via a first-round head-kick KO.

If Makhachev does indeed fight Dustin Poirier later this year, it will be the Dagestani’s first time defending the strap against an actual lightweight contender.

Michael Chandler shoots his shot, calls for Islam Makhachev, and a BMF title fight post-Conor McGregor

Doing a little Q&A on social media, ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler offered up two potential fights that could follow up…

Doing a little Q&A on social media, ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler offered up two potential fights that could follow up his long-awaited clash with Irish megastar Conor McGregor.

Chandler and McGregor have been linked together for well over a year. By all accounts, we appear to be closing in on an official announcement as both fighters have remained adamant that they will step inside the Octagon on June 29 for the culmination of this year’s International Fight Week in Las Vegas.

Whether or not that proves true remains to be seen.

Still, that isn’t stopping Michael Chandler from making plans for life after Conor McGregor. Fielding questions on X, one fan asked the former Bellator MMA champion who he would like to fight once ‘Mystic Mac’ is in the rearview. Chandler offered two explosion options, writing.

“Islam or BMF,” wrote in response.

If Michael Chandler wants a shot at UFC gold or the BMF belt, he’ll likely have to get in line

Islam, of course, refers to reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. If Chandler’s top priority is another shot at the 155-pound crown, he’ll likely have to get in line as the promotion has a backlog of viable contenders — chief among them being Justin Gaethje, who just happens to hold the BMF title.

Gaethje will put his bragging rights belt on the line at UFC 300 on April 13 against former featherweight champ Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway. If ‘The Highlight’ wins, he will almost certainly be next in line for a shot at the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ later this year.

Also going down on April 13 is a lightweight title eliminator pitting Charles Oliveira against Arman Tsarukyan, presenting yet another potential contender for Makhachev to deal with ahead of Chandler.

If Michael Chandler wants a crack at the BMF belt, the best-case scenario would see Holloway’s hand raised at UFC 300, which could set the stage for a fight between two of the UFC’s most explosive strikers.

Of course, none of this matters if Chandler can’t get past Conor McGregor first.

Michael Chandler shoots his shot, calls for Islam Makhachev, and a BMF title fight post-Conor McGregor

Doing a little Q&A on social media, ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler offered up two potential fights that could follow up…

Doing a little Q&A on social media, ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler offered up two potential fights that could follow up his long-awaited clash with Irish megastar Conor McGregor.

Whether or not that proves true remains to be seen.

“Islam or BMF,” wrote in response.

If Michael Chandler wants a shot at UFC gold or the BMF belt, he’ll likely have to get in line

Of course, none of this matters if Chandler can’t get past Conor McGregor first.

Max Holloway eyeing lightweight title fight with win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300: ‘It would be a fun one’

With a win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, Max Holloway isn’t ruling out the possibility of a fight…

With a win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, Max Holloway isn’t ruling out the possibility of a fight with reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

On Saturday, April 13, ‘Blessed’ will step inside the Octagon for what many are calling the people’s main event. The former featherweight titleholder will look to claim the promotion’s bragging rights belt, the BMF title, when he meets another beloved fan favorite inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway at UFC 300

But a win over ‘The Highlight’ won’t just net Holloway a cool new belt to put on his mantle. It could also thrust him into the lightweight division’s top five, setting the stage for a potential shot at the division’s top prize.

“I’m in a place where first things first is Gaethje, but if I got out there and get my hand raised like I plan on doing, there’s a lot of fights that can be there for us — one of them being the [155 pound] champ which I think it would be a fun one,” Holloway told Kevin Iole during a recent interview.

This will be Max Holloway’s second time fighting at lightweight, his first coming against Dustin Poirier at UFC 236 — exactly five years from the day he returns to the division later this month.

‘Blessed’ saw his 13-fight win streak snapped at the hands of ‘The Diamond’ before retreating back to 145 for a trilogy of classic clashes with Alexander Volkanovski.

Justin Gaethje believes Max Holloway will be too tough for his own good at uFC 300

As for Max Holloway’s UFC 300 opponent, Justin Gaethje is practically teed up for one last shot at Makhachev’s lightweight gold, but a loss to ‘Blessed’ could put a wrinkle in those plans. The Highlight’ has won four of his last six, the two losses coming against then-champions Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, making an all but guaranteed showdown with the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ his last opportunity to claim UFC gold.

Well aware of the stakes at play, Gaethje plans on using the Octagon canvas to paint a masterpiece of violence and mayhem with Holloway’s blood at UFC 300.

“Max Holloway is a legend, probably the only person on the UFC roster that checks every single box of being a BMF so I have a lot of respect for him,” Gaethje said during a promotional video for their upcoming clash. “However, this is my job and I’m going to try and f*ck him up. I will finish Max, he may not go away the traditional way, but I think I will inflict damage to where the doctors need to stop it. We are about to paint a violent picture and no two better guys to go out there and put on a show.”

Video – Islam Makhachev shows off new shaved head amid links to June return fight with Dustin Poirier

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has donned a new look ahead of his expected return to the Octagon in…

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has donned a new look ahead of his expected return to the Octagon in June – shaving his head bald ahead of a potential fight with former interim champion, Dustin Poirier in his UFC comeback.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight titleholder and current pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter, most recently headlined UFC 294 back in October, racking up his second successful defense of his crown in a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski.

Islam Makhachev set to fight twice this year ahead of expected UFC return — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacece

Landing a first round high-kick and strikes knockout win over the Australian, Makahchev had been linked with a spectacular return atop UFC 300 in a welterweight division clash against incumbent gold holder, Leon Edwards.

However, confirming his decision to reject the pairing, Russian ace, Islam Makhachev cited his participation in the religious period, Ramadan as the reason for him turning down the chance to become a duel-weight champion.

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

Targeting a June return to the Octagon with the promotion recently confirming a UFC 302 card in Newark, New Jersey – lightweight kingpin, Makhachev has been linked with a title defense against the above-mentioned, Poirier, who turned in a second round KO win over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 298 back in February.

Islam Makhachev shaves his head bald

And sporting a new look ahead of his expected return against Lafayette striker, Poirier this summer, American Kickboxing Academy staple, Makhachev has shaved his head bald – getting rid of his classic buzz cut as a result.

Prior to his victory against Volkanovski – whom he claimed returned too soon in his knockout loss to Ilia Topuria back in February, Makhachev had halted the run of Brazilian ace, Charles Oliveira to successfully clinch the vacant 155lbs crown.

Dustin Poirier reacts to Islam Makhachev's title fight call joke I've done more in the sport than him — Mandatory Credit: Megan Briggs

Noting his interest in fighting Louisianan veteran, Poirier in a summer comeback – after his manager, Ali Abdelaziz offered the former a shot a gold, rather tongue-in-cheek, Makhachev praised the guillotine choke ability of the former interim champion.

Who wins in a clash this summer: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

Dustin Poirier Eyes UFC Title Fight vs. Islam Makhachev: ‘I Want That Belt’

Dustin Poirier expressed his interest in a fight with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in a social media post on Thursday. “I want that belt,” Poirier…