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Dustin Poirier could’ve easily retired last summer after falling short in another courageous, albeit unsuccessful world title attempt against Islam Makhachev. Instead, he’ll be back for another but would be wrong in thinking the promotion he’s proudly represented over the past 15 years wants a storybook ending. Continue reading “Din Thomas’ delivery was vulgar, but his Dustin Poirier sentiment is painfully true”
#11 ranked lightweight contender Renato Moicano is aware of the test awaiting him on enemy soil in Paris this weekend, but the bullish Brazilian intends to seize Benoit Saint Denis’ rising star status – even if the 28-year-old is ranked one spot below him – after the Frenchman was agonisingly close to a stunning stoppage win over former interim champion Dustin Poirier last time out.
Continue reading “Moicano knows Saint Denis isn’t ‘easy money’ but he’s in Paris to prove himself”
Almost three months after his R2 KO defeat by upcoming title challenger Dustin Poirier at UFC 299, #13 ranked lightweight contender Benoit Saint-Denis has spoken of his desire to climb the ladder and targets two fights in Europe by year’s end. UFC 302 sees Poirier have his third shot to clinch championship gold on Saturday, and plenty is at stake for the highly-regarded veteran….
Continue reading “UFC 302: Saint-Denis itching for summer return, makes Makhachev-Poirier pick”
Dustin Poirier’s comeback win to dismiss rising contender Benoit Saint-Denis at the weekend did exactly what he hoped it would: not only restore the winning feeling and rebuild confidence after his stunning second-round KO loss to Justin Gaethje last summer, but gain momentum in a delicate lightweight division without a clear #1 contender for Islam Makhachev’s championship gold too. Continue reading “Poirier pushing for Makhachev title shot in June, after his gutsy Saint-Denis display”
Sean O’Malley’s star rose another notch after boxing beautifully en route to a successful maiden defence of his bantamweight title, avenging the only loss on his record against Marlon Vera. Elsewhere, Dustin Poirier and Petr Yan returned to winning ways with contrasting displays while former women’s flyweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk became the latest UFC Hall of Fame inductee.
Continue reading “UFC 299: O’Malley avenges Vera loss in style, Poirier powers beyond Saint-Denis”
Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has been applauded for taking on one of the division’s fast rising contenders in Benoit Saint-Denis tomorrow. Not much movement has occurred since his stunning second-round knockout defeat by Justin Gaethje last summer, but he knows he can’t afford to lose another non-title matchup at this delicate stage of his career. Continue reading “UFC 299: Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis a worthy co-main, given the stakes”
Relive my live fight-by-fight commentary as UFC 295 unfolded from New York’s Madison Square Garden overnight, with Manchester’s Tom Aspinall looking to score interim heavyweight gold – on short-notice no less – against the fearsome finisher Sergei Pavlovich in the night’s co-main event before former champions Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira did battle for the vacant light-heavyweight title.
Continue reading “UFC 295: Relive live commentary as Pereira becomes two-division champion, after Aspinall wins interim HW gold”
Former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane picked his strikes well and showed improved takedown defence in an assertive R2 TKO win over Serghei Spivac, a year after successfully headlining a similarly raucous Accor Arena. What about Rose Namajunas’ flyweight debut, or the resurgence of Volkan Oezdemir? Read on, for five thoughts from Saturday’s Fight Night card. Continue reading “UFC Paris 2: Five big takeaways, as Gane gets what he ordered in Spivac stoppage”
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