Dustin Poirier stays one of many prime lightweights on the earth regardless of a latest loss to Justin Gaethje, and he by no means appears far-off from placing himself again into title rivalry.
That’s why his upcoming battle at UFC 299 was met with some confusion after Poirier was matched up with Benoit Saint Denis, who’s broadly thought to be a critical prospect at 155 kilos but in addition somebody who stays largely unproven with none vital wins over any top-10 ranked opponents. Quite than climb up that ladder, Saint Denis will get the possibility to leap proper to the entrance of the road when he clashes with Poirier on Saturday.
In line with Mike Brown, who has served as Poirier’s head coach for a number of years, he says there was no hesitation in accepting the battle, even with the high-risk, low-reward potential for beating a much less established opponent.
“I do know what you’re saying in regards to the risk-reward, all of that. However on the finish of the day, Dustin, I feel that is his thirtieth UFC battle, so he’s accomplished and seen all of it,” Brown informed MMA Preventing. “At this level, he’s skilled every kind of forms of matchups, so for him, I don’t assume that stuff issues anymore.
“I feel that he’s actually seen every thing they’ll throw at him. He’s in a unique place fully. To him, he’s nonetheless attempting to point out that he’s able to beating anybody on the planet and he’s prepared to battle anyone on the planet. It’s a tricky problem and it’s one Dustin’s comfy taking.”
Within the quick aftermath of his loss to Gaethje final 12 months, Poirier admitted that he wasn’t all that concerned about leaping again into the fray to face an extended checklist of rising contenders. He overtly acknowledged that he had turned down a battle provided to him towards Beneil Dariush previously as a result of he simply didn’t get “excited” about it.
It’s secure to say that Saint Denis hasn’t completed as a lot at light-weight as a veteran like Dariush, so is there an opportunity that Poirier isn’t as motivated by this battle?
“He’s a veteran like no different,” Brown stated of Poirier. “That is his thirtieth UFC battle. I feel he’s within the prime 12 or one thing like that for victories or fights. There’s not many guys which have accomplished it greater than he has, and the standard of fellows he’s seen in that. He’s seen all of it. This man isn’t afraid of a problem. He has by no means been a man to enter a battle half-heartedly or not one hundred pc or not with all intentions to kill, crush, and destroy.
“He’s gifted with wonderful conditioning and wonderful energy. He’s all the time had these issues, and as you mature, you simply acquire an increasing number of data and ability. He’s a nasty dude and might take anyone. We’re assured within the matchup.”
A fast take a look at Poirier’s résumé reveals that he’s taken on any variety of powerful challenges in his profession, and he’s left loads damaged our bodies within the wake of his destruction through the years.
If something, Brown says Poirier has lengthy since confirmed the place he stands within the division, and that the true curiosity on this battle surrounds Saint Denis and the place he matches within the hierarchy at 155 kilos.
“There’s inquiries to be requested,” Brown stated. “Clearly, [Saint Denis] has a powerful résumé. He’s accomplished what he’s speculated to do. He has one loss, no disgrace in that loss. It was at welterweight. He’s completed all people he’s ever overwhelmed, however he hasn’t fought the caliber of fighters Dustin has.
“We’ll see what occurs when he steps up and fights that subsequent tier, that top-level athlete, that prime of the meals chain fighter. These are the questions that should be requested, and people are the questions that will likely be answered on Saturday.”
That being stated, Brown nonetheless had plenty of reward to supply to Saint Denis based mostly upon the physique of labor he’s studied to get Poirier prepared for this battle.
Saint Denis might not have confronted the identical degree of competitors as Poirier but, and he has far much less expertise compared to the previous interim light-weight champion, however he’s demolished each light-weight the UFC has thrown at him so far, which is strictly why he’s getting this chance.
“He’s an enormous finisher,” Brown stated. “He’s completed one hundred pc of his victories, so he’s an thrilling man. He’s bought energy, he’s bought [submissions].
“I’ve watched him and I had seen him previously, however after I began like delving deeper, began watching extra movie, I used to be like dang, I can’t consider I wasn’t watching this man nearer. As a result of he’s tremendous thrilling and actually enjoyable to look at.”
