Dustin Poirier: Successful BMF belt at UFC 291 would improve ‘legacy’

What does successful the UFC BMF belt actually imply?

To Dustin Poirier, who squares off towards Justin Gaethje within the UFC 291 predominant occasion Saturday (10 p.m., pay-per-view) for that belt, it means an opportunity so as to add one thing tangible and uncommon to his spectacular MMA résumé.

“It undoubtedly is [appealing],” Poirier advised The Submit through Zoom on Monday. “It’s a part of legacy; it’s a part of historical past, being the second combat to ever compete for this belt. I simply mentioned in an interview earlier than, simply having your identify in that hat to be thought of for combating for this title is an enormous deal. I don’t know what number of extra occasions this belt goes to be fought for sooner or later, nevertheless it’s an ideal spot to be in.”

Poirier (29-7, 22 finishes), the previous UFC interim light-weight champion who famously completed Conor McGregor twice in 2021 to win their trilogy, and Gaethje (24-4, 20 finishes) are no-brainer picks to vie for the promotion’s one-off prize, which was solely awarded as soon as earlier than when Jorge Masvidal defeated Nate Diaz at Madison Sq. Backyard in 2019.

The primary time the 2 confronted off, Poirier stopped Gaethje early within the fourth spherical of a wild battle that earned combat of the yr reward from media retailers in 2018.

Relationship again to Poirier’s determination victory over Jim Miller at Barclays Heart in 2017, Poirier has earned Combat of the Evening honors from the UFC in all six bouts he received that lasted into the third spherical.

Though Gaethje’s UFC debut got here just a few months after Poirier defeated Miller, he already has skyrocketed up the leaderboard when it comes to bonus cash with seven Combat of the Evening and 4 Efficiency of the Evening honors.

Even with heightened expectations for the rematch being as much as 25 minutes of epic fight sports activities violence, Poirier maintains there’s no strain to ship for followers as a result of his thrilling fashion of combating comes naturally.

“I don’t assume anyone, whoever is gonna combat for that title has to vary something they do,” Poirier says. “They’re in that place combating for the belt due to the best way they combat. In order that’s why we’re each in there.”

Actual stakes within the light-weight division are at play right here as nicely, with Poirier and Gaethje ranked instantly behind champion Islam Makhachev and subsequent challenger Charles Oliveira.

Their bout is scheduled for Oct. 21.

The undisputed UFC crown at 155 kilos stays the actual lacking piece within the careers of each Poirier and Gaethje, who’ve misplaced all of their mixed 4 championship alternatives — twice every to Oliveira and unbeaten Corridor of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Poirier concedes that each his interim belt and the potential so as to add the BMF belt in Utah are “enormous accomplishments” however that “the highest prize is that undisputed crown.”

“I attempt to not look an excessive amount of into the long run,” Poirier says, “however I do consider it is a No. 1 contender combat, for positive.”

Each Poirier and Gaethje are 34, however every has important mileage on his tires after greater than a decade within the sport.

They debuted in MMA in 2009 and 2011, respectively.

A teammate of Poirier, UFC light-weight Renato Moicano, posited on his YouTube channel that, as a pair of extremely achieved athletes both he or Gaethje might choose to retire if both had been to come back out on the flawed finish of the combat.

Poirier mentioned he wasn’t “actually placing lots of power into” whether or not he would combat past this weekend whatever the end result, including that every one he wants is the drive to maintain combating to increase his profession.

“Even right here Saturday night time, I’m not doing this as a result of I’ve to, I’m doing this as a result of I wish to,” Poirier mentioned. “So so long as the need remains to be there, you guys ain’t eliminating me.”