NEW YORK – Dustin Poirier has no clue what may come next if victorious on Saturday.
The former UFC interim lightweight champion returns to action to take on top contender Michael Chandler on the main card of the UFC 281 pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden.
Poirier (28-7 MMA, 20-6 UFC) is not sure what a win over Chandler (23-7 MMA, 2-2 UFC) could bring next, but he does admit that Charles Olivera losing his title Islam Makhachev last month does help his cause for a potential title shot in the future.
“Nothing is ever clear in this sport, especially in the lightweight division,” Poirier said. “But it definitely opens up the doors, there’s new opportunities, different fights make sense now, new opponents. We’ll see, but none of that matters until Saturday night.”
At No. 3 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie lightweight rankings, Poirier sits behind Oliveira and Makhachev. Another competitor in the lightweight title mix is No. 5 Beneil Dariush, who recently extended his current win streak to eight with a unanimous decision over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280. No. 4 Justin Gaethje is always in the conversation as well, along with the rising Rafael Fiziev.
Poirier hasn’t competed in almost a year. The last time he was seen in the octagon was against Oliveira at UFC 269 in December. Poirier came up short that night in Las Vegas, losing to the former champion by submission. It was his second attempt at trying to capture undisputed UFC gold.
The 33-year-old admits the defeat stung, but he’s more than ready to make another run at the belt.
“Immediately after the fight, I was heartbroken,” Poirier said. “But fighting is what I do. I’m always motivated. This one I’m very focused.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 281.
