Dustin Poirier witnessed Benoit Saint-Denis deliver a devastating head kick to Matt Frevola during UFC 295 last November. Poirier was undeniably impressed by the knockout, but he believed there was still a considerable gap between himself and Saint-Denis in terms of their fighting careers. Poirier shared his thoughts during an interview on “The MMA Hour” on Monday.
However, things have taken an unexpected turn in the past four months. Poirier is now scheduled to face Saint-Denis in a highly anticipated five-round bout on March 9 at UFC 299 in Miami. This matchmaking decision has surprised many fans, as Poirier had previously expressed his desire to only return to the octagon for a fight against a well-known opponent or a fight of significant importance.
So, what caused this change of heart? Poirier explained that he had initially envisioned a legacy fight or a match against a former champion. He expected the UFC to offer him a fight that would truly ignite his passion for the sport. However, he now finds himself facing a young and hungry lion like Saint-Denis, who has been on a five-fight winning streak. Poirier respects the game and acknowledges that someone once gave him a chance, so he is returning the favor. He wants to test himself and see if he still has what it takes to succeed.
Although the fight is not for a title and is not the main event, it will be a five-round battle. This is a growing trend for some supporting fights in UFC events, even if it is not consistently applied. Poirier revealed that the championship rounds were not initially offered to him, but he specifically requested them and his request was granted. He believes that the better fighter usually emerges victorious over the course of five rounds, unless an early finish occurs.
In conclusion, Dustin Poirier’s mindset has shifted from initially doubting Saint-Denis’ potential to now eagerly accepting the challenge of facing him. He is motivated to test his skills and prove himself once again. The fight may not be for a title, but it will be a five-round battle that Poirier believes will determine the better fighter.