Chance to brawl appealing
Poirier used to taking on best UFC can offer
There is a logjam of superstar contenders at the top of the UFC’S lightweight division.
Dustin Poirier has fought them all.
He was knocked out by Conor Mcgregor in 2014, then split a pair of fights against interim champ Justin Gaethje and champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who will meet to unify the belt later this year.
Poirier knocked out Gaethje in 2018 and was submitted by Nurmagomedov in September, the last time Poirier stepped in the cage.
He will return against rising star Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC on ESPN 12 at the UFC Apex on Saturday.
While the matchup may not carry as much weight on the marquee, Poirier is excited to get back in action against someone who is as willing to engage in a brawl as he is.
“These are the kinds of fights I want to be a part of,” Poirier said. “I want to be involved in fights fans are excited about and are on their feet cheering. These are the kinds of guys I want to fight, guys that will bring action-packed fights.”
Any fans rising to their feet will have to do so from home or their favorite bar. This is the last in a run of five straight Saturday night cards in Las Vegas without fans in the stands.
Poirier typically feeds off that energy, though he’s intrigued by the unique scenario.
“I like the idea of it,” he said. “It will be quiet, so I’ll be able to hear my team. The focus will be different. It’s just a new wrinkle I’ve never experienced, so we’ll find out on Saturday.”
Poirier learned Friday he had been awarded the UFC’S inaugural Forrest Griffin Community Award for his volunteer and charity work.
Poirier founded the Good Fight Foundation with his wife Jolie in his hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana, in 2018.
He auctions the fight kit
from each of his bouts to raise money for the charity and has donated more than 1,000 meals to medical workers during the pandemic.
Poirier said he will pay for all food ordered at a local Louisiana bar showing his fight on Saturday night between 5 p.m. and closing time.
“We just want to give them a free meal and let them come together and finally have something good to talk about, a fighter from the area,” Poirier said. “It’s just good to bring people together and boost the business.