Dustin Poirier is regarded as one of the best fighters in the lightweight division. The veteran has a not-so-secret love affair with the guillotine choke. His coach, Mike Brown, recently pulled back the curtain on Poirier’s obsession with landing this signature submission.
The television cameras caught Brown shouting “no more guillotines” at Dustin Poirier during his fight against Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299. However, that was only part of the exchange. According to Brown, after telling Poirier to stop going for guillotines, the fighter responded defiantly, saying he could accomplish the elusive choke.
But right after I said that, Dustin said, ‘No, but I can hit it! I can hit it!’ I just replied, ‘You crazy bastard.’ I literally said that and then he went and jumped another one. They didn’t play that part, but there was more words said after I said don’t jump the guillotine.
Mike Brown via MMA Fighting
True to form, Poirier continued looking for the choke in later rounds. While he never locked it in, his relentless pursuit nearly drove Brown mad. The ‘Diamond’ later went on to knock out Saint-Denis. Brown admitted that Poirier’s guillotine was a great asset and was very successful in the gym. However, a guillotine choke win still eluded Poirier.
There was one high-profile near-miss for all his failed guillotine attempts. Poirier momentarily looked to have the choke secured in 2019 against Khabib Nurmagomedov before Nurmagomedov escaped. Now Poirier faces Nurmagomedov’s protege Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 302. Brown wouldn’t be surprised if Poirier’s white whale finally surfaces. Pourier lives by the mantra, “Don’t be silly, jump the Gilly!”
Dustin Poirier feels that Islam Makhachev may be underestimating him
Dustin Poirier is close to his third attempt to get that UFC lightweight belt. He believes that Islam Makhachev may be in for a rude awakening. The Lafayette native felt that the UFC lightweight champion was underestimating him ahead of their title fight at UFC 302.
Dustin Poirier thinks that Islam Makhachev may be underestimating him (via MMA Weekly/ Sports Illustrated)Poirier earned the surprise title shot after other top contenders were unavailable. He admitted the short notice caught him off guard. Poirier stated that Makhachev was a tough opponent. As such, Poirier believed he could emerge victorious if the champion underestimated him.
In an interview with Islam saying, ‘This is an easy fight for me.’ And I don’t know, maybe he goes about all fights like that, but I can finish and beat anybody at 155 pounds in the world. I really believe that. And he doesn’t have to believe it. I’m the one who has to believe it and go out there and beat his ass. I can do that.
Dustin Poirier via The MMA Hour
Standing across from Poirier will be the seemingly unstoppable Makhachev. The Dagestan native hasn’t lost since 2015 and defeated Alexander Volkanovski twice in 2023. Makhachev’s confidence would be sky-high to finish Poirier. But Poirier’s burning obsession to get that title suggests otherwise. This may be his final shot at the title or even his final walk to the Octagon.
