Poirier Claps Back at Makhachev: “He’s Lying to Himself”
Dustin Poirier’s Final Shot at Gold
Dustin Poirier is just days away from what could be his last chance at the UFC lightweight title. Set to face champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302, Poirier’s confidence is at an all-time high. Scheduled for this Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, this bout might not only be Poirier’s final shot at the belt but also his last fight before retirement, as he has hinted at stepping away from the sport recently .
Makhachev Misinterprets Poirier’s Pre-Fight Comments
Poirier’s recent statements have been interpreted by Makhachev as signs of doubt from Poirier’s camp. Makhachev suggested that Poirier and his coach might not truly believe they can win, a notion Poirier finds laughable. On media day, Poirier addressed these claims directly.
“I can definitely win this fight. If I touch his chin, he’s going down, something he’ll realize on Saturday. He might not believe it, he needs to stay positive and confident, as he should. But if he thinks I don’t stand a chance, he’s lying to himself” .
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Poirier’s Past Title Bouts and Current Mindset
Poirier has previously challenged for the lightweight title twice, losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira, both by rear-naked choke. He acknowledges the similar threat Makhachev poses but remains confident in his skills and strategy for the fight. Poirier believes that once the cage door closes, all pre-fight talk becomes irrelevant, and it’s the fighters’ techniques that matter most.
“Over the years, I’ve learned that the media, my opponents, their training, and critics don’t matter. It’s in my hands. I’m the one driving this, everyone else is just a passenger. With this knowledge and belief in myself, anything is possible. Every time I step into the octagon, it’s kill or be killed. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s true. Either I finish Islam, or he finishes me. That’s how I fight” .
UFC 302 Full Fight Card
The main card for UFC 302 is stacked, featuring:
- Islam Makhachev (c) vs. Dustin Poirier – Lightweight title bout
- Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa – Middleweight bout
- Kevin Holland vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk – Middleweight bout
- Randy Brown vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos – Welterweight bout
- Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Romanov – Heavyweight bout
Prelims will see exciting matchups like Roman Kopylov vs. Cesar Almeida, among others .
For more details on UFC 302, visit UFC.com and Yahoo Sports.
