Dustin Poirier took a huge step towards the UFC lightweight title picture with a jaw-dropping win over Justin Gaethje.
UFC lightweight Dustin Poirier knocked out Justin Gaethje in the fourth round of ferocious war, in an impressive fashion at UFC On Fox 29 last night (Sat., April 14, 2018) from inside Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona and he’s now in touching distance of earning himself a UFC lightweight title shot. In the epic war, Dustin Poirier’s right leg was crushed up by leg kicks. His right eye was swollen from a combination of punches and inadvertent eye-pokes by Justin Gaethje.
Following his TKO of Justin Gaethje, Poirier called for a title shot against newly crowned lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov who earned the belt at UFC 223 earlier this month.
During the post-fight show on FS 2, UFC president Dana White also gave his vote that Dustin is running for the title opportunity: (Quotes Via MMAMania)
Dana White says he can see Dustin Poirier being a potential contender for Khabib Nurmagomedov's title 👀. pic.twitter.com/u7Cly0dcSr
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) April 15, 2018
“Absolutely (he’s a title contender),” White said during the UFC on FOX 29 post-fight show on FOX Sports 2. “He’s definitely in there. He was one of the guys we were thinking about calling last to take the fight (at UFC 223), but we didn’t want to screw up this event. Thank God we didn’t.”
As former two-division champ Conor McGregor in limbo and injured Tony Ferguson recently underwent surgery, Poirier, believe its a right time for him to slide his way into a title matchup against Khabib.
"I'm ready to go, and gold is next."
Dustin Poirier is ready for his shot at the champ. pic.twitter.com/zDVJJofXXx
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) April 15, 2018
“I’ve paid my dues,” Poirier said. “I’ve put nothing but hard work in. I’ve been close to the mountaintop and I’ve been knocked down. I’ve shown resilience and fortitude and I’ve done it over and over again to put myself back in the position I’m in, and I’m hitting my stride as a father, a fighter, a husband and a person. I’m ready to go, and gold is next. I smell it. I feel it in the air.”
Dustin Poirier moved back to the lightweight division back in 2015 with only loss at 155 pounds came via knockout to Michael Johnson back in September 2016, after an 8-3 at featherweight run in UFC Octagon.
Only Time will tell if Poirier is in line for a title shot against Khabib. But if Mcgregor makes peace with UFC and clear out his legal issues, he very much has a way to make a title fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov, and no doubt this bout will be absolutely massive, especially now, following McGregor’s now infamous bus incident at UFC 223.
Gaethje has now lost two in a row after beginning his career at 18-0.
Do you think Poirier deserve a title shot against Khabib after his impressive victory over Gaethje?
