JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Dustin Poirier is simply days away from what might be his closing shot at changing into an undisputed UFC light-weight champion. Nonetheless, his confidence is probably greater than ever.
Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) will enter the cage first at Prudential Middle this Saturday within the UFC 302 primary occasion, adopted by the present title holder Islam Makhachev. “The Diamond” is ready to shine in what couldn’t solely be his final shot at gold however perhaps his final struggle interval, as he has not too long ago hinted at retirement.
Contemplating the 35-year-old former interim champion’s pre-fight discuss, Makhachev has taken it to imply that his opponent and his coach don’t imagine they’ll win the struggle. Naturally, Poirier scoffed at that notion.
“I can undoubtedly win this struggle,” Poirier instructed reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “If I contact his chin, he’ll go down, and he’ll discover that out on Saturday. Perhaps that’s one thing he doesn’t have to imagine. Perhaps he must be optimistic and be assured strolling into this, which he needs to be. However in case you don’t suppose I’ve an opportunity to win, you’re mendacity to your self.”
Poirier has challenged for the undisputed title twice earlier than, developing brief in opposition to Makachev’s coach and UFC Corridor of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. A rear-naked choke sealed Poirier’s destiny in each fights and he’s conscious Makhachev might current the identical menace at UFC 302.
It doesn’t matter what place he finds himself in on Saturday, Poirier is assured he’ll emerge victorious if he sticks to his strategies inside the cage. Poirier is aware of all the pre-fight talks means nothing when the cage door shuts, as every thing comes all the way down to executing strategies.
“Through the years, if something, I’ve discovered in combating is the media, my opponents, their camps, and the critics don’t matter, bro,” Poirier stated. “It’s in my arms. I’m the one man who has the chance to make this occur or no matter selections I make below these lights on Saturday, I’m the man within the driver’s seat. All these different guys speaking are passengers, or within the again seat. I steer the place this goes. Understanding I’ve that energy, and believing in my abilities, I don’t care. It’s all noise.
“… Each time I’m going on the market, it’s a struggle. It’s kill or be killed. I do know that’s used quite a bit, folks oversay it, nevertheless it’s true. I’m going to complete Islam, or he’s going to complete me. That’s simply the best way I struggle.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 302.
Remember to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.
