Dustin Poirier Plans on UFC Title Win
Dustin Poirier Plans on UFC Title Win
Dustin Poirier doesn't shy away from adversity. His willingness to engage has him sitting on the cusp of the biggest chapter of his career. Growing up in ha
Dustin Poirier doesn't shy away from adversity. His willingness to engage has him sitting on the cusp of the biggest chapter of his career.
Growing up in hard-knock southern Louisiana, Poirier learned quickly the cost that comes with giving an inch of ground. He emerged from that environment to become a fast-rising star under the UFC banner thanks to the same tenacity he’s always carried.
“I had my first fight when I was 18 years old. It’s like I grew up in this game,” Poirier said. “I’m learning on the job. Every year that goes by, with all the trials and successes, I’ve become better. I’ve become a better man. I’ve become a better fighter as well.”
Poirier’s hard-charging fighting style immediately made him a fan favorite in the UFC. As a string of exciting performances raised his stock, his versatile skill set quickly carved him a place as a competitor in the featherweight ranks.
But after a few rough turns and a decision to put his health above all else, Poirier cashed in his top-10 rank in the 145-pound fold for a go in a division where the talent is deeper and more dangerous.
The jump may have seemed risky to some. But the results have erased any doubt he belongs.
“It’s honestly been a lot of hard work, but it’s all been worth it,” Poirier said. “It’s true, I gave up a solid ranking in the featherweight division, but I knew I didn’t get to that place by chance. It was skill, determination and hard work that created that success. I knew it could be duplicated at 155.”
Following back-to-back knockouts over seasoned competition, Poirier was slated to face another fighter with solid momentum in Joe Duffy, who entered the UFC with considerable heat as the last man to defeat Conor McGregor. The bout against Poirier would be his first significant test on the way to a bigger push.
The story motivated Poirier greatly.
In their UFC 195 bout, Poirier used his aggression and forward pressure to secure a unanimous decision victory. And while the impressive showing against Duffy was a great feather to stick in his hat, Poirier admitted the backlash in the aftermath of his win was something he found a bit humorous.
“The MMA media and fanbase are so crazy,” Poirier said. “Had I lost to the guy, they would’ve said how Duffy was the real deal. But when I beat him they started saying, ‘Well, who has Duffy really fought?’ That’s ridiculous to me.”
To Poirier, the passionate fight fans in the MMA sphere are never satisfied. Tuning out the things that truly do not matter to him has been a huge step in his personal advancement.
Maturing as both a man and a competitor has shaped his perspective, and Poirier has chosen to focus solely on his family and fighting career.
“It’s all about growth to me. I’m definitely more comfortable in who I am as both a fighter and a person,” Poirier said. “I’m still coming into my own. But I’ve matured so much over the past two years. I’m still that emotional guy who probably cares too much. But that will always be a part of who I am. That’s just me. Where I’m from, when you hear someone shoot off at the mouth you do something about it .But now I let it go in one ear and out the other.”
When Poirier speaks, the passion he carries toward his commitments is evident. This rings especially true when he has a target to focus on. Dustin and his wife Jolie are set to welcome their first child later this year, and he’ll step in the Octagon to face Bobby Green in June.
Becoming a father means the absolute world to Poirier. But being the best he can possibly be in all areas holds the same importance. Progressing his career will provide the means to a secure future.
Still, Poirier understands he will have to keep his emotions in check, which is a feat other fighters have struggled to do against Green, who has made in-fight chattering and taunting a big part of his game. Regardless, Poirier is confident he’ll shut that avenue down in quick fashion.
“That’s not going to affect me at all,” Poirier said. “I’m going to talk sh** right back and tell him to shut the f*** up and fight. You’ll see.”
Poirier has been investing all the physical strength and emotion he’s had to give to the fight game from an early age. He’s determined to make sure all the sacrifices he’s made pay dividends. It’s his dream to become a UFC champion. Green is the next obstacle in his way.
“I’ve become a better person, and that makes me excited for the future. I’ve just barely scratched the surface of what I’m capable of,” he said. “When I put it all together, I’m going to be the lightweight champion of the world. Count on it.”
Growing up in hard-knock southern Louisiana, Poirier learned quickly the cost that comes with giving an inch of ground. He emerged from that environment to become a fast-rising star under the UFC banner thanks to the same tenacity he’s always carried.
“I had my first fight when I was 18 years old. It’s like I grew up in this game,” Poirier said. “I’m learning on the job. Every year that goes by, with all the trials and successes, I’ve become better. I’ve become a better man. I’ve become a better fighter as well.”
Poirier’s hard-charging fighting style immediately made him a fan favorite in the UFC. As a string of exciting performances raised his stock, his versatile skill set quickly carved him a place as a competitor in the featherweight ranks.
But after a few rough turns and a decision to put his health above all else, Poirier cashed in his top-10 rank in the 145-pound fold for a go in a division where the talent is deeper and more dangerous.
The jump may have seemed risky to some. But the results have erased any doubt he belongs.
“It’s honestly been a lot of hard work, but it’s all been worth it,” Poirier said. “It’s true, I gave up a solid ranking in the featherweight division, but I knew I didn’t get to that place by chance. It was skill, determination and hard work that created that success. I knew it could be duplicated at 155.”
Following back-to-back knockouts over seasoned competition, Poirier was slated to face another fighter with solid momentum in Joe Duffy, who entered the UFC with considerable heat as the last man to defeat Conor McGregor. The bout against Poirier would be his first significant test on the way to a bigger push.
The story motivated Poirier greatly.
In their UFC 195 bout, Poirier used his aggression and forward pressure to secure a unanimous decision victory. And while the impressive showing against Duffy was a great feather to stick in his hat, Poirier admitted the backlash in the aftermath of his win was something he found a bit humorous.
“The MMA media and fanbase are so crazy,” Poirier said. “Had I lost to the guy, they would’ve said how Duffy was the real deal. But when I beat him they started saying, ‘Well, who has Duffy really fought?’ That’s ridiculous to me.”
To Poirier, the passionate fight fans in the MMA sphere are never satisfied. Tuning out the things that truly do not matter to him has been a huge step in his personal advancement.
Maturing as both a man and a competitor has shaped his perspective, and Poirier has chosen to focus solely on his family and fighting career.
“It’s all about growth to me. I’m definitely more comfortable in who I am as both a fighter and a person,” Poirier said. “I’m still coming into my own. But I’ve matured so much over the past two years. I’m still that emotional guy who probably cares too much. But that will always be a part of who I am. That’s just me. Where I’m from, when you hear someone shoot off at the mouth you do something about it .But now I let it go in one ear and out the other.”
When Poirier speaks, the passion he carries toward his commitments is evident. This rings especially true when he has a target to focus on. Dustin and his wife Jolie are set to welcome their first child later this year, and he’ll step in the Octagon to face Bobby Green in June.
Becoming a father means the absolute world to Poirier. But being the best he can possibly be in all areas holds the same importance. Progressing his career will provide the means to a secure future.
Still, Poirier understands he will have to keep his emotions in check, which is a feat other fighters have struggled to do against Green, who has made in-fight chattering and taunting a big part of his game. Regardless, Poirier is confident he’ll shut that avenue down in quick fashion.
“That’s not going to affect me at all,” Poirier said. “I’m going to talk sh** right back and tell him to shut the f*** up and fight. You’ll see.”
Poirier has been investing all the physical strength and emotion he’s had to give to the fight game from an early age. He’s determined to make sure all the sacrifices he’s made pay dividends. It’s his dream to become a UFC champion. Green is the next obstacle in his way.
“I’ve become a better person, and that makes me excited for the future. I’ve just barely scratched the surface of what I’m capable of,” he said. “When I put it all together, I’m going to be the lightweight champion of the world. Count on it.”