Dustin Poirier trains at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. ATT is arguably the biggest MMA gym in the world and has won the Gym of the Year at the World MMA Awards 6 times in the past seven years. For his main event fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302, Poirier has roped in the services of the 5th-ranked lightweight contender.
Islam Makhachev, the pound-for-pound king, is one of the best grapplers in the world. Makhachev even submitted credentialled BJJ ace Charles Oliveira. As such, it was no wonder why “The Diamond” from Lafayette, Lousiana, roped in the services of teammate and fellow lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot to corner him. Poirier revealed the decision via social media.
Yes! @gamer_mma is the man! Incredible mind for MMA
Dustin Poirier via X
The nickname “The Gamer,” Mateusz Gamrot is one of the best wrestlers in the lightweight division. Khabib Nurmagomedov had already picked him to become a future threat for Islam Makhachev. Moreover, he has even defeated the current number-one contender, Arman Tsarukyan. Furthermore, Poirier had already teamed up with Gamrot for his last fight against Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299.
Main event fighters get to add an extra cornerman and Poirier has given the spot to Gamrot. Aside from Gamrot, Poirier would likely have his regular team of head coach Mike Brown, striking coach Thiago Alves, and boxing coach Dyah Davis Jr.
Dustin Poirier would face the 6th lightweight champion in the last ten years
Dustin Poirier has one of the best resumes in the UFC. The former interim lightweight champion has fought the who’s who of the featherweight and lightweight divisions. However, he always came up short in undisputed title fights. Moreover, he also lost the BMF title fight to Justin Gaethje.
Dustin Poirier (via Imago)However, he has fought six lightweight champions or ex-champions in the past ten years. There have been 7 of them in the past ten years, and Rafael dos Anjos was the only one he didn’t fight. Poirier has defeated ex-champions like Conor McGregor (x2), Anthony Pettis, and Eddie Alvarez via finish. Moreover, he has also defeated then-featherweight now-BMF champion Max Holloway.
After Dustin Poirier competes at #UFC302, he will have faced every Lightweight champion of the last ten years except Rafael Dos Anjos. 💎
That includes Anthony Pettis, Eddie Alvarez, Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Islam Makhachev 🏆
(via.… pic.twitter.com/ALt21Nf7uB
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 24, 2024
Nonetheless, Poirier has never defeated an active UFC lightweight champion. He lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira via rear naked choke. However, he had hurt Nurmagomedov and Oliveira in the striking department before they submitted him.
Poirier has not won against an undisputed lightweight champion, but no fighter has defended the title when Paulo Costa features on the undercard. At UFC 302, Costa is in the co-main event against Sean Strickland. Oddsmakers have Makhachev as a sizeable favorite, but the champion has no intention of underestimating Poirier.
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