Dustin Poirier could not make it past Islam Makhachev at UFC 302. With his next step in his MMA career unclear, Kamaru Usman has chipped in an interesting offer. The former welterweight champion would not mind facing ‘The Diamond’, however for a particular reason.
Kamaru Usman recently discussed UFC 302 with co-host Henry Cejudo on the ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast. During their discussion, Usman talked about entertaining a potential fight against Dustin Poirier.
I’m not in any way throwing my hat in, but he wants to go up, hey that’s a fun fight. I’m not saying I’m welcoming the fight… but I always put my mind there. If I was to ever compete a guy like Dustin Poirier, that would be a fantastic one.
Kamaru Usman on Pound 4 Pound
Usman would fight Poirier because he believes ‘The Diamond’ is a fighter he could respect through the process. He described it as training with one’s main training partner. He described the dynamic as pushing each other to the brink to be better. That is how ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ believes a fight with Dustin Poirier would pan out.
Kamaru Usman says a fight between him and Dustin Poirier would be a “fantastic one” if Dustin wants to come up in weight 👀
“I’m not in any way throwing my hat in, but [if] he wants to go up, hey that’s a fun fight.
I’m not saying I’m welcoming the fight… but I always put my… pic.twitter.com/UE74kCz1q1
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 3, 2024
Interestingly, Poirier did not make any definitive statement on whether or not he would continue fighting. He is 35 years old, fought three title fights in his career, and faced some of the best talents in the sport. Meanwhile, Kamaru Usman is currently on his only losing streak throughout his 24-fight MMA career.
Alan Jouban wants Dustin Poirier to walk away after UFC 302 loss
Dustin Poirier had been mentioning a possible walk away from the octagon for a while now. His friend and UFC analyst, Alan Jouban believes ‘The Diamond’ should walk away with his head held high. Jouban said that the loss against Islam Makhachev could be the perfect exit for the former interim champion.
Should Dustin Poirier retire after UFC 302? (Image via Imago)I haven’t spoken to him since the fight — I would say walk away. I would tell him to walk away. I think it’s been on his mind for a while.
Alan Jouban on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer.
Poirier had mentioned retiring from the sport multiple times back home in Louisiana. He has already made the money and solidified a legacy in the sport. Reportedly, the loss against Justin Gaethje for the BMF title was devastating for ‘The Diamond’. After beating Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 Poirier had “cleansed his soul” and Jouban believes his soul is still cleansed after his performance against Islam Makhachev.
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