JERSEY CITY, N.J. – It’s all been resulting in this second for Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, and he has little question he’ll obtain his ultimate profession accomplishment by taking Islam Makhachev’s light-weight title.
After two failed bids at an undisputed championship, Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) will get what he’s described as his ultimate shot on the belt when he challenges Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) in Saturday’s headliner at Prudential Middle in Newark, N.J. (ESPN+ pay-per-view).
Poirier described his first title shot in opposition to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 in September 2019 as “25 minutes to make life truthful.” It didn’t occur for him. In his second likelihood in opposition to Charles Oliveira at UFC 269 in December 2021, it was “25 minutes for eternity.” Poirier carries an identical mantra into UFC 302, and he has the utmost perception a lifetime of labor in MMA has led to this second.
“Twenty-five minutes to complete the story – that’s what that is,” Poirier informed MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “It’s going to be unbelievable to complete the story this manner. Undisputed. Pound-for-pound No. 1. Desires can come true, and I’m going to indicate you Saturday.”
For Poirier to drag off the upset, he’s going to have to beat an identical hurdle to what has plagued him in his profession. Makhachev is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet in keeping with the official UFC rankings, and he mentioned he thinks he’ll beat Poirier “simple” on struggle night time.
Poirier is aware of all the weather are going in opposition to him on this second, however he mentioned he’s crossed ever T and dotted each I to make sure that this time, he leaves with gold round his waist.
“I’ve had bother with this model of fights my entire profession,” Poirier mentioned. “It’s positively a troublesome mountain to climb for me, it’s a tough problem. No. 1 pound-for-pound man. However it’s what’s: It’s a struggle.”
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