Dustin Poirier is on fire in the UFC after successfully defeating Conor McGregor in back-to-back outings. A former UFC interim lightweight champion, Poirier has his sights set on the UFC title when he faces Charles Oliveira on Dec. 11 in the main event of UFC 269.
Poirier is a big lightweight and although he did fight at featherweight, Poirier is in top shape and has recently had some of the most memorable and most classic fights in UFC lightweight history. He crushed McGregor not only once but twice. Smashing McGregor in their second fight at UFC 257, “The Diamond” looked flawless. At UFC 264 they met again, and this time, Poirier broke McGregor, both mentally, physically and spiritually.
Poirier now faces what might be his toughest test: a high 3rd-degree black belt in BJJ ace Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira. Oliveira demonstrates flawless, picture-perfect technique with little to no waste of energy. Poirier has been submitted twice in his MMA career and the last time was against Khabib Nurmagomedov. It is no secret that if Oliveira fights his type of fight, a submission victory is expected. Can Poirier fight a war and take Oliveira deep into the championship rounds where Do Bronx has yet to fight? We will find out at UFC 259.
UFC 269 is a huge event and the winner of this fight will be the champion, but not just a normal champion. They will hold the most coveted title in the UFC: A title previously held by Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. After what seems to be a real retirement from the former and unbeaten champ, Khabib Nurmagomedov, the lightweight title holds a lot of weight. If Dustin Poirier can take back the UFC title from Do Bronx, the next thing big thing will be a super fight between Usman and Poirier.
His strength and conditioning coach, Phil Daru, said Poirier would be “successful and dominant” at welterweight, BJPenn.com reported. This remains to be seen but what we do know is Poirier is capable of wars. He has provided incredible fights and he can test his opponent. We know Kamaru Usman is a problem a puzzle yet to be solved. With Usman only getting better and the Diamond skyrocketing in both capabilities and popularity, who knows where these guys will be by late 2022 or early 2023?
Both guys are only getting better and right now, Poirier is the younger and more experienced man. Turning pro back in 2009, the Diamond was never rough and always had capabilities but now he looks picture-perfect “Flawless.”
In a battle between the physically-biggest Poirier we have ever seen vs the champion of the welterweight division “The Nigerian Nightmare” Kamaru Usman, which man would be able to capitalize and get the win? If Poirier could do it after beating Oliveira, he would become a double champion. If Usman stops Dustin he only furthers the sentiment that he is, in fact, the greatest right now.
This is the era of the double champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Dana White would most likely love the idea of pitching Dustin Poirier, a man who has come of age after 28 wins and only 6 losses, vs a dominant champion who has yet to be truly tested in Usman.
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