Dustin Poirier is channeling his inner Cody Rhodes ahead of UFC 302 next month.
One of the lightweight division’s all-time greats is getting one more chance to cement himself in MMA immortality if he hasn’t already. Poirier intends to make good on his third crack at undisputed UFC gold to kick off the summer schedule. To do so, he’ll need to get past the champion that most have atop the pound-for-pound list, the near-flawless Islam Makahchev.
The storyline of an upset would be movie-like if achieved. “The Diamond” received his shot under unique circumstances where he arguably isn’t the most deserving contender by any stretch of the imagination, just the most available. The American Top Team (ATT) staple is 2-2 in his last four outings, alternating wins and losses. Coming full circle against Makhachev, Poirier’s first title shot came against the champion’s mentor and teammate, the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov in September 2019. He fell short via a third-round rear-naked choke.
Poirier, 35, has openly contemplated retirement for the past several years, noting any fight could be his last depending on how he’s feeling. A fight and potential win of this magnitude is unsurprisingly no different and would be about as good as it gets.
“It could be [my last fight],” Poirier said on The Fight Bananas Show. “I haven’t made an official decision yet, but it could be.
“I’ve said this over and over again, I still have a lot of tread on the tires. I can beat these young guys, I just did it. I still feel good, my body feels good, but it’s just like, how much do I want to give to this sport? Because you don’t ride for free. I just want to be a father. I missed my daughter’s final cheer placement thing on Sunday. That was a big deal to her. All the family went, it sucked to be here and not be there live to watch it. I just miss out on a lot of stuff, and like I said, I have a whole other life outside of fighting. So, I’ve put in my time and earned my stripes.
“I don’t wanna make any decisions just off of the way I’m feeling,” he concluded. “I need to go out there and fight.”
To add to the story beats, Makhachev will be the 40th fight of Poirier’s thrilling career (30-8, 1 NC). He’s done just about everything in MMA besides winning the big one.
Poirier’s story has been rife with entertainment, as only nine times has he gone to decision. The MMA community has suggested this opportunity at 302 is perhaps the final time he’ll get to fight for a UFC title if he can’t get the job done. Therefore, that’s where the WWE-esque moniker comes in for Louisiana’s finest: “Finish the story.”
“When I hear that, I’m aligned with that,” Poirier said of fans telling him to finish his story. “This is the last chapter. I want to finish this story, and close this book, but nothing’s guaranteed. Fighting the best pound-for-pound in the world, I’m doing everything I can to put myself in the best position to get my hand raised. I’m fully committed. I’m gonna go out there June 1 and give it my all.
“We’ll see. Destiny doesn’t make mistakes. If I’m supposed to be the world champion, I’ll have that belt wrapped around me on June 1. All I can do is just pay attention to the work. What needs to get done right now, my mindset. The outcome is gonna happen so I just need to focus on the work right now. It’s been a long career. This is the final thing I need to cross off this list.”
TOP STORIES
King. Jose Aldo explains UFC 301 comeback and MMA future after Jonathan Martinez fight
Decision. Top prospect Losene Keita explains turning down multiple offers from UFC, PFL: ‘I know my worth’
Legend. Alexander Volkanovski declares Jose Aldo the featherweight GOAT
Drama. Paige VanZant eviscerates ‘piece of sh*t’ Dillon Danis in fiery response to accusations
Change. Ronda Rousey writing script for her own Netflix biopic, no longer expected to star in film
Cedric Doumbe doesn’t want Marc Goddard refereeing his fights again: ‘I don’t like the guy’
Status. Anthony Smith won’t be anyone’s stepping stone in UFC: ‘We’re going to f*cking put that to bed now’
VIDEO STEW
Between the Links.
MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck chats with Megan Anderson.
This Is CineMMA.
UFC 301 Guest Fighter Scrums.
UFC 301 Fighters share favorite Jose Aldo moment.
Embedded 4.
An Aldo fightathon.
Best UFC KO from each year since 2008.
PFL Epilogue 1.
Fancy Martinez vs. Aldo preview.
MORNING MUSIC
Even without Wayne... was a dream come true seeing Static-X live last night. One of my all-time favorites. Gone but never forgotten.
Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or find one of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re currently really into. I’ll pick the best one alongside my daily choice and give you a shoutout! You can also share in the comments below — those are just harder to sift through sometimes!
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Quite the collaboration.
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) May 2, 2024
Gotta make weight.
Heartbreak Smilla Sundell has been stripped of the ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title ahead of ONE Fight Night 22 after missing weight.
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) May 2, 2024
Because Natalia Diachkova passed weight and hydration, she is still eligible to win the belt if she accepts a catchweight bout… pic.twitter.com/4CLUWnQ2Z7
Poster.
Number 1 P4P and The Diamond go at it for the lightweight strap in Newark #UFC302 | @Visit_NJ | #VisitNJ pic.twitter.com/sxufCDJl5W
— UFC (@ufc) May 2, 2024
Stop it, Jon.
Who would you guys want to see me fight the most, Alex or Tom?
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 2, 2024
Stats.
UFC champions change so frequently in this era that Alexandre Pantoja will have the most(tied) title defenses of all the current champions with a win at UFC 301.
— Andy Hickey MMA (@AndyHickeyMMA) May 2, 2024
He won his title in July. pic.twitter.com/Hcdaw2Rxhz
Mission.
Winning.
Trilogy.
“It’s not 100 percent sure yet that we’re going to fight that day. I hope and I pray every single day for that to be possible.”
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) May 3, 2024
Alexa Grasso talks about the Valentina Shevchenko trilogy potentially taking place at the Sphere in September. pic.twitter.com/LYtPujckT4
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kurt Holobaugh (21-8, 1 NC) vs. Kaynan Kruschewsky (15-2); UFC Vegas 94, July 20
Arnold Allen (19-3) vs. Giga Chikadze (15-3); UFC 304, July 27
FINAL THOUGHTS
I see all sides of Dustin calling it if he were to pull off such an epic upset. Ultimately, the guy is just too entertaining win or lose for me to ever say he should retire. Until any devastatingly obvious decline was to happen, of course. Fingers crossed we don’t get to that point, and knowing how he is, I don’t think he’d let it ever get that far.
Happy Friday, peeps. Have a great weekend. Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
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