Islam Makhachev has indirectly responded to Dustin Poirier’s comments in an X post, after ‘The Diamond’ said, “I have done more in the sport of MMA,” in an interview with MMA Junkie.
Islam Makhachev Fires Back At Dustin Poirier
The current lightweight champion put out two separate posts on X, with the first reading: “Dustin if you could beat anybody, you’d be holding this belt right now, not me.”
Then, one user replied: “Dustin is on a different level now,” and the Dagestan-born wrestler had his response ready.
Islam Makhachev said: “His level is: permanent contender 🙂 how many title losses, 2? 3?”
His post highlights Poirier’s two title fight losses, first against the champion’s former coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, then more recently to Charles Oliveira.
The Last Throw Of The Dice For Dustin Poirier
With both of those losses coming by submission, but more specifically rear naked chokes, a supreme grappler like Islam Makhachev is likely to cause serious problems for Poirier.
However, holding the highest win percentage in the UFC at 73% (22-7, 1NC) and off the back of a deadly knockout victory over a rising star in Benoit Saint-Denis, the 35-year-old has nothing to lose this late in his career.
After two title defences, out of no fault of his own, due to Oliveira sustaining an injury before UFC 294. The champion is yet to defend his belt against an active lightweight.
Although many believe the winner of Charles Oliveira V Arman Tsarukyan deserves the next shot at gold, the turnaround from April to June may be too soon.
So, with Oliveira, Tsarukyan, and even Justin Gaethje all having fights scheduled for UFC 300, sitting at number three in the lightweight rankings is Poirier, meaning a matchup is tangible.
In addition, Poirier and Islam Makhachev have openly agreed that the next title fight to be made in the division will be between the pair, as evidenced when Poirier said in an X post: “Islam in June,” which warranted a coded acceptance by the champion just a day later.
Within International Fight Week, UFC 303 will be held in Las Vegas, so this matchup featuring as the headliner is possible and would merely excite MMA fans.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
