Tag: Dustin Poirier

Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker in the works for UFC San Diego main event

Dustin Poirier is expected to return against a surging contender in Dan Hooker.

Former interim UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] is expected to return against of one of the division’s surging contenders in a main event.

Although contracts have yet to be signed, a matchup between Poirier and [autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag] is in the works to headline the UFC’s return to San Diego on May 16, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. They requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an announcement.

Poirier, No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA lightweight rankings, came up short of becoming undisputed champion in September when he suffered a submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 in September. “The Diamond” put together a nice run prior to the defeat, topping the likes of Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez.

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Since the loss to Nurmagomedov, Poirier (25-6 MMA, 17-5 UFC) underwent hip surgery and had been pushing for a fight that “really excites” him, even if it meant a move up to the welterweight division. He will stay at his lightweight home, though, for his sixth consecutive main event.

No. 10 Hooker (20-8 MMA, 10-4 UFC), meanwhile, will get his second headliner in a row, but he’ll hope this one is less controversial. Hooker got a hometown spot in New Zealand at UFC on ESPN+ 26 nearly two weeks ago and came out with a split decision win over Paul Felder.

Despite some debate around the decision, Hooker emerged victorious and is now 7-1 since he moved up from featherweight in June 2017. Poirier was one of the names Hooker called out in the aftermath of his win, and now he’s set to get his wish.

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Dustin Poirier open to five-round fight with Dan Hooker

Dustin Poirier has responded to Dan Hooker’s callout.

[autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] has responded to [autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag]’s callout.

Hooker recently picked up his third straight win, when he edged out Paul Felder in this past weekend’s UFC Auckland headliner. He had previously called Poirier out on numerous occasions, but Poirier didn’t seem too interested.

But, after moving one step closer to lightweight contention with his win over Felder, it appears that Hooker may finally be on Poirier’s radar. Hooker called out both Poirier and Justin Gaethje following his win but directed his tweet at Poirier, who responded with a proposition.

“I got 25 minutes for you”

“Just let me know when and where.”

Hooker was successful in his first UFC main event, going 25 minutes with Felder. Poirier has also gone five rounds once, when he captured the UFC interim lightweight title with a unanimous decision win over Max Holloway last April. He has, however, been scheduled for 25 minutes on seven occasions.

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Dustin Poirier thinks Justin Gaethje has best chance to beat Khabib Nurmagomedov

It’s all about the wrestling knowledge, and knowledge is key.

[autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] thinks if there’s one man at the moment with a chance to dethrone [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag], it’s [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag].

Poirier (25-6 MMA, 17-5 UFC) is familiar with both guys, having taken out Gaethje in a “Fight of the Night” effort in 2018 and falling short to UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) by third-round submission last September.

It’s going to take someone who is able to stop Nurmagomedov’s offensive grappling, and Poirier thinks that, out of the current lightweights, Gaethje (21-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) has the best chance with his NCAA Division I wrestling background.

“Off the top of my head right now, I think Justin Gaethje (could beat Nurmagomedov),” Poirier said on “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.” “I think he might have the ability to keep his back off the fence and keep it in the middle, and if he does get taken down, scramble back up. I think guys like that who are going to take risks and brawl and have the hips and the wrestling knowledge to stay up would give him problems.”

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Nurmagomedov has been dominant in pretty much every one of his fights. And while he faces a stern test in the wild and tough Tony Ferguson on April 18 at UFC 249, Poirier thinks his wrestling will be too much for Ferguson.

“I think Khabib beats Ferguson,” Poirier said. “It’s MMA, anything could happen, nothing’s for sure, but I just think he’s going to be the better competitor. I think if Kevin Lee was able to out-wrestle Tony, and I think Danny Castillo did the same thing, (Khabib is) definitely going to be able to do it.”

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Al Iaquinta has Dustin Poirier’s attention after callout

Fighting words from Al Iaquinta: “Put me against Dustin Poirier right now in my freakin garage, I’ll beat the (expletive) out of him.”

[autotag]Al Iaquinta[/autotag] heard [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] is looking for a fight, and he’s more than happy to oblige.

Iaquinta (14-6-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC) and Poirier both have faced a common opponent in UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Iaquinta took aim at Poirier’s performance in the fight.

Poirier (25-6 MMA, 17-5 UFC) was submitted in the third round of his UFC 242 fight with Nurmagomedov, whereas Iaquinta went all five rounds on short notice in a unanimous decision loss at UFC 223.

“He doesn’t have a fight coming up. That’s the fight,” Iaquinta said on Monday on “Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show.” “The UFC just has to call him. I called Hunter, I texted Sean Shelby, I said that’s the fight, and I’m pretty sure – maybe they didn’t offer it to him, but if they did, he turned it down. So either way, your offer is extended now, and that’s it.

“I think it’s a good fight; he thinks his stock is a lot higher than it is. He got choked out unconscious (by Khabib) – not unconscious, he would have gotten choked out unconscious before the deed could be done, so he’s pretty much, whatever. I think that’s the fight that needs to be made.”

Poirier didn’t take Iaquinta’s claim well, slamming him for his recent track record. Iaquinta has lost three of his last four fights and is coming off back-to-back losses to Donald Cerrone, and Dan Hooker.

@ALIAQUINTA Bro you won 2 fights in the last 5 years…. pipe down.

Before losing to Nurmagomedov, Poirier had won four in a row, en route to capturing the UFC 155-pound interim title with a unanimous decision over Max Holloway. Sitting at the top of the rankings, Poirier doesn’t see many options ahead, but Iaquinta thinks he’s over-valuing himself.

“He said he doesn’t have a fight coming up, no one wants to fight him,” Iaquinta said. “He thinks he’s like the No. 1 contender, but he’s really not. I fought Khabib on like a freakin’ minute’s notice. Kevin Lee is ranked ahead of me, but the rankings, I don’t know. That’s the fight to make. (Poirier) said, ‘Oh, I want an exciting fight.’ He’s going to get an exciting; I’m going to (expletive) him up.

“Put me against Dustin Poirier right now in my freakin’ garage. I’ll beat the (expletive) out of him.”

While it doesn’t seem like Iaquinta would be Poirier’s first choice for a fight, he made it clear it could happen under two conditions.

Hey @ALIAQUINTA if they pay me right and you down to do it at 170lbs I’ll fight you.

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Garry Tonon cut in training, Dustin Poirier grappling match canceled

The charity grappling match between Garry Tonon and Dustin Poirier will not take place as expected.

The charity grappling match between jiu-jitsu sensation [autotag]Garry Tonon[/autotag] and former interim UFC champ [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] will not take place as expected.

Tonon sustained a cut above his right eye during training and as a result was forced to withdraw from his scheduled grappling bout with Poirier, which was meant to take place Feb. 21 in Miami.

Both fighters confirmed the news Sunday on social media (via Twitter):

Sorry to hear about your injury @Garry_Tonon get well man.

Thanks buddy it’s just a cut, no big deal but it’s right above the eye and if it re opens it’ll postpone my training for my fight in April and possibly re open again in the fight. Sorry man

I understand, heal up! Good luck in the fight! Maybe we can try to choke each other another time!

As a result of Tonon’s injury, both athletes will now return their attention to the MMA world.

As Tonon (5-0) mentioned, he intends to return to competition with his home of ONE Championship in April, though he does not have an opponent announced. Poirier (25-6 MMA, 17-5 UFC), meanwhile, is also hoping to get back to work in April with a key matchup in the UFC lightweight or welterweight divisions.

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Spinning Back Clique: Was Dominick Reyes robbed? Is Jon Jones still the GOAT?

With a little space behind us, can we decide if UFC 247’s main event was really a robbery? And where does Jon Jones go from here?

Welcome to “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. In this week’s episode, “Gorgeous” George, “Goze” and John Morgan unpack the fallout from UFC 247, including a controversial result in the main event, where light heavyweight champ [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] survived a scare from an incredibly game [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag].

SHOW RUNDOWN:

  • The instant reaction to Jones’ win at UFC 247 including cries of robbery, but with a little time behind us to process the action, was this truly a bad decision? And with renewed calls for open scoring in the sport, is that really something MMA needs?
  • Jones is arguably the greatest fighter in MMA history, but in his past three outings, he’s had to go a full 25 minutes to claim victory – and even those weren’t exactly crystal clear. So what have we learned about “Bones” in this stretch? Is he slowing down?
  • Outside of the cage at UFC 247, reigning welterweight champ [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] was in the house, as was “BMF” titleholder [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag]. It seems those two are just about set for a summer clash, but is the UFC making a mistake by not putting “Gamebred” against [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag], instead?
  • On the women’s side of the sport, flyweight champ [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] continued her reign of terror at 125-pounds. Her greatness is clear, but her next move isn’t. Are there legitimate contenders for her right now, or is it time to book the trilogy with fellow pound-for-pound great and UFC champ [autotag]Amanda Nunes[/autotag]?
  • [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] told MMA Junkie a fight with [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] is on the table for May in California, and it would be a welterweight clash. With Poirier looking to get back to a lightweight title shot and Diaz always difficult to predict, is this the right fight to make?

For answers to all of those questions, watch Episode 15 of “Spinning Back Clique.”

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Spinning back clique – Was Dominick Reyes robbed at UFC 247?

MMA Junkie’s John Morgan, Gorgeous George and Goze react to the latest MMA news and notes.

MMA Junkie’s John Morgan, Gorgeous George and Goze react to the latest MMA news and notes.

Dustin Poirier says Nate Diaz ‘knows the truth’ about why 2018 booking fell apart

There’s one way Nate Diaz can make this up: Accept the fight offer made by the UFC.

HOUSTON – [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] is ready to fight.

Poirier, the former UFC interim lightweight champion, is waiting for an offer for his next bout. He just needs a date, opponent and location, which the UFC has yet to offer. However, he has an opponent in mind for his return.

When speaking with MMA Junkie outside of Toyota Center before UFC 247 on Saturday, Poirier (25-6 MMA, 17-5 UFC) explained the challenge he issued to [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] on Twitter.

“I spoke to Sean (Shelby) last night,” Poirier said. “I know that they offered him this fight in California in May or International Fight Week, so we’ll see. We’ll see if he takes it, but the offer is out there.”

He later added, “I think they told me they were going to give him two weeks. If they didn’t hear, they’re going to move on from it. We’ll see. I don’t know exactly what’s going on with the whole thing.”

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The history between Poirier and Diaz is well documented. The two were scheduled to fight at UFC 230 in November 2018. However, Poirier withdrew from the bout due to injury, and Diaz elected not to remain on the card.

“Last time was a mess,” Poirier said. “I don’t care what he says, he knows the truth. It was a mess. They were offering me Kevin Lee as a replacement, and it just fell apart. I don’t know. If he says ‘yes,’ I expect him to show up.”

In the meantime, there aren’t many other options that excite Poirier.

“Maybe if they offered me one of those names, it’d be exciting,” Poirier said. “As of right now, just talking about it? Nah, it’s not that exciting honestly.”

Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz face off in August 2018.

Regardless of what’s next, Poirier is heading back to American Top Team after UFC 247. He said he’s been training for about a month and will continue to do so until he gets officially booked.

“I’m able to fight right now,” Poirier said. “I feel good. I’ve been back at American Top Team now going on a month. From here, I’m going straight back there. I’m staying there until I fight. I don’t know what’s coming or what’s next, but I’m going to start preparing for it.”

Check out MMA Junkie’s full interview with Poirier in the video above.

Dustin Poirier vs. Garry Tonon grappling match booked for late February

Dustin Poirier is back – well, sort of.

[autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] is back – well, sort of.

A former UFC title challenger, Poirier (25-5 MMA, 17-4 UFC) will compete in a grappling match on Feb. 21 against ONE Championship star and jiu-jitsu wizard [autotag]Garry Tonon[/autotag].

SubStars Jiu-Jitsu announced the match on Friday in a post on Instagram. Per the promotion’s website, fans can expect to see grappling, MMA, sumo, and wrestling in one event.

“SubStars presents SubStars at The Fillmore. Get ready for the most anticipated grappling event of 2020 right here in Miami Beach, FL! Not the average grappling event, prepare to see a show unlike any other with theatric acrobatic ninjas and samurai fight displays blended with elite grappling and introducing for the first time celebrity sumo. SubStars is showcasing the world’s top talent in MMA, Jiu-Jitsu, Sumo and Wrestling all in one event. Be prepared for an experience to remember!

The event is expected to be held at The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami.

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Poirier hasn’t competed since a UFC 242 submission loss to UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in September. In an interview with MMA Junkie in late January, Poirier revealed he’s been cleared to return to MMA competition. However, the UFC has yet to offer him a return fight.

Poirier told MMA Fighting  he plans on donating all of his share of ticket and PPV revenue as well as a portion of his fight purse to The Good Fight Foundation.

As for Tonon (5-0) , the 28-year-old lightweight most recently competed at “ONE Championship: Enter the Dragon” in May. He defeated Yoshiki Nakahara by heel hook just 55 seconds into the opening round.

 

Check out the official announcement in the post below:

View this post on Instagram

@sub.stars presents SubStars at The Fillmore – Poirier vs Tonon + Celebrity Sumo @fillmoremb. Get ready for one of the most anticipated grappling events of 2020 right here in Miami Beach, FL! Not the average grappling event, prepare to see a show unlike any other with ninjas and samurai blended with elite grappling and introducing for the first time celebrity sumo! SubStars is showcasing the world's top talent in MMA, Jiu-Jitsu, Sumo and Wrestling all in one event. Partnering with USA Sumo be prepared for an experience to remember! . Tickets go on sale tonight at 8pm, they can be purchased by following a link from our website, fillmoremb.com, or TicketMaster 🔥🔥 Remember to type in the fighter you support at check out! GA and VIP Tables available, make sure you snag them before they sell out! . Official event sponsor 👉@adjustingexperts for making it all possible! This is just the beginning! . @fighterschoice fighter management

A post shared by SubStars (@sub.stars) on

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MMA Junkie Radio #3022: Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal at Super Bowl, Ben Rothwell (guest), more

“Gorgeous” George and “Goze” discuss the latest MMA news and notes, including what went down at the Super Bowl, plus Ben Rothwell joins the show.

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Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here!

On Episode No. 3,022 of the podcast, the fellas react to the latest MMA news and notes, including what happened between UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] and [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] at the Super Bowl.

THE RUNDOWN

  • The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs play in Super Bowl LIV on Sunday in Miami. We talk a little bit about the big game.
  • Speaking of Super Bowl, did you see the altercation between Usman and Masvidal on Radio Row in Miami? Does this make you want to see this fight more, or do you think Masvidal vs. Conor McGregor makes more sense still? We break it down.
  • Bellator middleweight champion [autotag]Rafael Lovato Jr.[/autotag] has revealed he has a brain condition that will require him to put his career on hold. He wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s retiring. What does this all mean?
  • Now we’ve got [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] chiming in on Stephen A. Smith’s UFC 246 take and – plot twist! – Diaz insists that Joe Rogan and [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] should be the ones apologizing to Stephen A. Do we agree?
  • Speaking of Diaz, [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] still wants that fight – be it in MMA or boxing. Does that intrigue you?
  • [autotag]Joanna Jedrzejczyk[/autotag] took to social media with an insensitive post about the ongoing coronavirus outbreak that included a picture of UFC strawweight champion [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag], who didn’t appreciate this. Did Jedrzejczyk go too far?
  • We close out the show with UFC heavyweight [autotag]Ben Rothwell[/autotag] joining the show. He talks about his expectations for 2020 and much more.

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio, or check it out above. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.