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After witnessing the electrifying atmosphere of UFC 308, lightweight contender Dustin Poirier wasted no time sharing his aspirations for his next fight. Poirier’s attention turned to featherweight champion Ilia Topuria and former champion Max Holloway, both renowned for their striking prowess and crowd-pleasing styles. The Diamond took to social media shortly after Saturday’s UFC event in Abu Dhabi to make his intentions clear.
Ilia Topuria solidified his position as a dominant force in the featherweight division by securing a stunning third-round knockout victory over Holloway. This win etched Topuria’s name in history as the first fighter to stop Holloway by strikes. Following his triumph, Topuria hinted at a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski, the respected former featherweight king who congratulated Topuria in the cage post-fight.
While Topuria’s immediate future might include a rematch, he has openly stated his intent to eventually move to lightweight—a development that has certainly caught Poirier’s attention. Poirier, already eyeing the featherweight champ, stated simply,
"I want Max or Topuria." He went on to praise Topuria, adding, “He’s a great boxer, let’s throw them things,”
Max Holloway remains another exciting option for Poirier, as the two fighters share a storied rivalry. Poirier holds two wins over Holloway: their first meeting took place at UFC 143 in 2012, where Poirier claimed a first-round submission victory, and they later met in 2019 at UFC 236 for the interim lightweight title, with Poirier winning by unanimous decision. The rematch was one of the most thrilling fights of the year, solidifying both fighters’ status as fan favorites.
Coming off a fifth-round submission loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Poirier has his sights set on staying in contention and building his legacy further. With Holloway and Topuria in his crosshairs, Poirier aims to create another unforgettable moment in UFC history, keeping fans and fighters alike eagerly anticipating his next move.
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