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The UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was bound to find a new title challenger after Charles Oliveira pulled out because of a deep eye cut. Interestingly, Alexander Volkanovski wasn’t the only one considered to serve as a replacement.
Justin Gaethje was contacted, and so was Dustin Poirier. According to Poirier, he was considered as an option but not highly prioritized as the UFC was awaiting Volkanovski’s confirmation. Perhaps if Volkanovksi refused to accept the offer, fans would have seen Poirier vs Makhachev.
Poirier may have to secure a few more comprehensive wins before he can participate in a significant match. It will be great to see who he ends up fighting next.
Dustin Poirier on Makhachev fight offer
In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Dustin Poirier reflected on the time when the UFC approached to offer him a fight against Islam Makhachev.
“So I get back to my condo, I’m unpacking my bags and my phone rings,” Poirier said, as quoted by mmafighting.com. “I see it’s Hunter, and I’m all jacked up on Celsius. I answer the phone, let’s go.
I said, ‘What perfect timing. This is how life works.’ I just landed in Florida. My whole team is here, my coaches are in town, this happened for a reason. He asked me my weight, and I [told him I] can make the weight in 11 days, no problem.
I thought that was it. He told me [to] give him one day. So the next day I didn’t hear back. I’m like, ‘Hey, bro, I said, yes, let’s go I got my team here, let’s book these flights. I need to get out there ASAP.’ Then he kept quiet for a while, and then all the news started breaking.
But he didn’t tell me, ‘Hey, you’re the guy.’ He asked me if I would do it. I said yes, he told me to give him one day, and I guess he was waiting on Alexander to commit”.