Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has earned the right to handpick his opponents, as per Teddy Atlas.
Legendary boxing trainer and commentator Teddy Atlas has heaped praises on Poirier, based on the stellar resume he has put together. The veteran has faced some of the toughest and biggest names in the UFC since signing with the promotion in 2011. Having started his professional career in 2009, ‘Diamond’ has seen a huge rise in his stock after the two most recent outings against Conor McGregor.
Teddy Atlas believes Dustin Poirier has earned the right to choose
One of the things fans love most about mixed martial arts is the fact that the biggest names often get matched up. While there may be a few outliers, it’s significantly better when compared to boxing. As such, most athletes in the sport don’t have the option to handpick an opponent they like.
In an appearance on The Fight with Teddy Atlas, Dustin Poirier talked about his preference to take a big-money fight over one that gets him closer to title contention.
“That’s a tough one man. I’d probably take the money”
“I’m aging like a bag of milk. I’ve said before, I still have a lot of tread on the tires but I’ve been doing it a long time, I’ve been fighting since I was 18 years old. I’ve been in some battles, and every one of my fights pretty much is that”
Atlas weighed in with a supportive response to Poirier’s comments declaring that he earned the right.
“Very honest and practical. At this point in your career, real and right. That’s where you’re at”
“You’re in the right to be in a position to choose a little bit, you’re in that right, you’re in that right by taking the blows you took, taking the punishment you took, going through it, persevering, winning. You’re in that right to make those choices.”
Poirier acknowledged Atlas’s kind remarks but made his passion for fighting clear.
“I’m willing and ready to go through all of those things again. The punches, the pressure, all the stuff you just said, I love it.”
Poirier says McGregor’s a tough matchup for Michael Chandler
During the same interview, Atlas inquired with Poirier about Michael Chandler not mentioning his name in the callout. After being the first man to knock out Tony Ferguson at UFC 274, Chandler took to the mic to call out a bunch of fighters, except Dustin Poirier.
Poirier shared his thoughts on how a potential matchup against ‘The Notorious’ or himself would look like for ‘Iron’ Mike.
“I’m a dangerous fight for him. I’m a clean puncher, accurate. He called out Conor, I think Conor’s a dangerous fight for him too. I’m not saying Chandler’s chinny or anything but he gets hurt in a lot of his fights and guys like Conor, you know, they can punch.”
While he may not have an opponent lined up right now, Poirier is gearing up to get back inside the cage. He may return to 155 lbs or decide to move up to 170 lbs. Both look likely but according to Poirier, it’s the one that’s offered first.
