Dustin Poirier, at 35 years old, is approaching the final stages of his UFC career and is set to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 302. This will be Poirier’s third attempt to win an undisputed title, having lost his previous two championship fights. Poirier lost to Charles Oliveira by submission at UFC 269 in December 2021. He recognizes that this may be his last opportunity to claim a belt and has stated that he may retire if he emerges victorious in this upcoming bout. Poirier acknowledges that this could also potentially be his final fight, win or lose, as he will evaluate his feelings after the match.
Despite the challenge ahead, Poirier feels confident and believes he is in the right mental and physical state leading up to the fight. He describes the process of training and preparation as starting to transition into focusing on his weight and physical well-being as fight week approaches. Poirier recently secured a significant victory over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299, a fight in which he was the underdog, which has boosted his confidence and extended his career. Grateful for the opportunity and motivated by the upcoming title shot, Poirier expresses his gratitude for reaching this point in his career and the perseverance he has shown to work his way back to the top of the division.
Poirier reflects on his journey to this point, acknowledging the challenges he has faced and the determination it took to reach his current position. He expresses his belief in his ability to defeat any opponent and his readiness to face Makhachev, who he considers the number one pound-for-pound fighter. Poirier views his career as leading him to this moment, where he has the chance to prove himself as the undisputed world champion on June 1. Despite Makhachev being a tough stylistic matchup, Poirier feels prepared and determined to give his best performance in the upcoming title fight. He remains focused on his goal of becoming the best in the world and is motivated by the opportunity to fight for the championship.
While Poirier acknowledges the challenges ahead and the significance of this fight in potentially determining the next steps in his career, he remains focused on the present and on giving his all in the upcoming championship bout. He emphasizes his gratitude for the opportunity, his belief in his abilities, and his readiness to face Makhachev on June 1. As he approaches what could be his final fight, Poirier is determined to leave everything in the Octagon and strive to achieve his lifelong goal of becoming the UFC Lightweight Champion. This upcoming fight represents the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, and Poirier is committed to making the most of this opportunity and giving his best performance on fight night.
