Dustin Poirier actually did get a UFC 302 title shot towards Islam Makhachev as a result of nobody else was prepared to take it.
Throughout the UFC 300 post-fight press convention, Dana White was given a scrap of paper with two breaking information bulletins: Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler was lastly official for UFC 303, and Makhachev would defend his 155 pound belt towards Poirier at UFC 302.
Islam vs. Dustin has been percolating since “Diamond” beat Benoit Saint-Denis in a gritty battle again at UFC 299. Some argued that Poirier wasn’t deserving, contemplating his 2-1 file since dropping his final title shot to Charles Oliveira in 2021. However others, Makhachev included, famous that Poirier was the perfect contender obtainable for the date.
All the opposite prime lightweights — Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Arman Tsarukyan — have been combating at UFC 300, and it was unlikely that they’d be prepared to show round in time for UFC 302 on June 1st. However we’ll give the UFC credit score: they waited till after the occasion to provide them the choice.
In a brand new interview with Vadim Tikhomirov, Arman Tsarukyan’s supervisor Sayat Abdurakhmanov revealed that they’d been approached by UFC with a proposal to combat Islam Makhachev in New Jersey.
“The combat with Islam [Makhachev] on June 1st was supplied to us,” Abdurakhmanov stated. “This occurred instantly after the combat [with Charles Oliveira].”
Tsarukyan gained a hard-fought break up resolution over Oliveira, and whereas he didn’t appear too banged up, he wasn’t interested by dashing a title combat.
“Earlier than the combat there was an understanding that there was no level in going right into a title combat with Islam on brief discover, particularly if the place of No. 1 contender had already been achieved. And there was an understanding that now Islam and Poirier would combat on June 1st, after which Arman would combat the winner.”
And with that, Dustin Poirier grew to become not Mr. Proper, however Mr. Proper Now.
As for Arman Tsarukyan, he higher hope his dibs on subsequent works out higher than it did for Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. As Max Holloway famous, you possibly can spend a complete lot of time ready round on your flip and find yourself nowhere, quick.
