JERSEY CITY, NJ – Dustin Poirier is just days away from what could be his last chance to become the UFC’s undisputed lightweight champion. Still, his confidence is perhaps higher than ever.
Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) will enter the Prudential Center cage first this Saturday in the main fight of UFC 302, followed by current title holder Islam Makhachev. “The Diamond” is set to shine in what could be not only his last shot at gold, but perhaps his last period of fighting, as he recently hinted at retirement.
Considering the 35-year-old former interim champion’s pre-fight talk, Makhachev understood this to mean that his opponent and his coach do not believe they can win the fight. Naturally, Poirier scoffed at this idea.
“I can definitely win this fight,” Poirier told reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “If I touch his chin, he falls and he will find out on Saturday. Maybe that’s something he doesn’t need to believe. Maybe he needs to be positive and confident going into this, which he should be. But if you think I have no chance of winning, you’re lying to yourself.”
Poirier has fought for the undisputed title twice, facing Makachev’s coach and UFC Hall of Famers Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. A rear naked choke sealed Poirier’s fate in both fights and he knows Makhachev can pose the same threat at UFC 302.
No matter what position he finds himself in on Saturday, Poirier is confident he will emerge victorious if he maintains his techniques inside the cage. Poirier knows that all the pre-fight talk means nothing when the cage door closes, as it all comes down to execution techniques.
“Over the years, I’ve learned in fighting that it’s the media, my opponents, their camps, and the critics don’t matter, man,” Poirier said. “It’s in my hands. I’m the only guy who has the opportunity to make this happen or whatever decision I make under these lights on Saturday, I’m the guy in the driver’s seat. All these other guys talking are either passengers or in the backseat. I direct where it goes. Knowing that I have this power and believing in my abilities, I don’t care. It’s all noise.
“…Every time I go there it’s a fight. It’s kill or be killed. I know this is used a lot, people exaggerate, but it’s true. I will end Islam, or it will end me. That’s how I fight.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 302.
