By some means, an event as momentous and emotional as Dustin Poirier’s ultimate shot at undisputed UFC gold has come to be outlined by a joke of types, about whether or not the “Diamond” can pull off a selected choke. So, how did we get right here?
In Poirier’s lengthy and storied MMA profession, the fan favorite has earned six wins over 5 undisputed UFC champions. But none of these fighters held a UFC title when Poirier beat them, except for Max Holloway in his second battle with the American; even then, Holloway was vying for the interim light-weight belt in opposition to Poirier, fairly than defending his featherweight strap.
That’s to say: For all of Poirier’s achievements, he has by no means received an undisputed UFC title. The “Diamond” claimed the interim 155lbs belt in opposition to Holloway in that 2019 rematch, including to his previous win over the Hawaiian, victories over Anthony Pettis and Eddie Alvarez, and future wins over Conor McGregor. However the ‘official’ light-weight title has eluded Poirier.
Moreover, the 35-year-old has crushed these champions by all possible means – determination, knockout, submission – however he has at all times failed on the approach he enjoys most: the guillotine.
Most lately, Poirier tried the submission six occasions in seven-and-a-half minutes in opposition to Benoit Saint-Denis in March. Each time, the approach was utilized in a defensive method, as France’s Saint-Denis sought takedowns. Three of the guillotine makes an attempt got here within the first spherical, three within the second. Three had been standing makes an attempt, three had been leaping (involving Poirier dragging Saint-Denis to the canvas). Each try failed. In actual fact, each guillotine try in Poirier’s profession has failed.
Ultimately, Poirier satirically knocked out Saint-Denis on the toes, seeing off the younger contender in a dangerous and must-win match-up; Poirier was ranked third at light-weight and had misplaced to Justin Gaethje by knockout in July, whereas Saint-Denis was eleventh and on a run of stoppage wins. But when Poirier had it his means, he would have crushed Saint-Denis by guillotine.
That’s regardless of the very best intentions of his coach Mike Brown. “They really didn’t play it [on the TV] in between rounds, however after the primary spherical I stated, ‘No extra guillotines,’” Brown instructed MMA Preventing this month. “Dustin stated, ‘No, however I can hit it! I can hit it!’ I simply replied, ‘You loopy bastard.’ I actually stated that, then he went and jumped one other one.
“He places numerous guys to sleep within the health club to be trustworthy,” Brown added. “He does have an excellent [guillotine], he simply hasn’t hit them within the battle.”
And that brings us to UFC 302 this weekend. When Poirier challenges light-weight champion Islam Makhachev in the primary occasion, it would certainly be the American’s ultimate shot at an undisputed UFC title. In late 2021, Poirier was submitted by then-champion Charles Oliveira, and in 2019, the Diamond was submitted by the incumbent Khabib Nurmagomedov. Poirier is aware of that is his final probability – he has even hinted it will likely be his final battle.
So, with the stakes so excessive, certainly there isn’t a probability that Poirier derails his gameplan by way of private pleasure – over one thing as trivial as a selected choke, no much less. Really, don’t be so sure.
Poirier insists he won’t ever cease attempting the choke, and even lately coined the tongue-in-cheek phrase, “Don’t be foolish, bounce the gilly.” Followers have been tremendously amused by Poirier’s obsession with the guillotine, a lot in order that it has grow to be a meme of types. One bookmaker is even providing ‘Poirier to beat Makhachev by way of guillotine’ at 50/1.
These odds, and the character of followers’ jokes, trace at two issues: a widespread affection for Poirier, but additionally a solemn understanding of his slight possibilities in opposition to Makhachev. Perhaps the humour is a coping mechanism.
This isn’t to say Poirier has no probability. After all he does. The American is without doubt one of the most interesting boxers in UFC historical past, and any jokes apart, he has greater than competent jiu-jitsu and wrestling video games. However Makhachev is the final opponent in opposition to whom one ought to bounce a guillotine.
The Russian, the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1, is a fighter within the mould of his coach and childhood buddy Khabib, who beat Poirier handily 5 years in the past and will likely be in Makhachev’s nook in New Jersey. But whereas Makhachev’s wrestling abilities could match Khabib’s, his putting eclipses the legend’s. In actual fact, all of this discuss whether or not Poirier can really submit Makhachev has distracted from the likelihood that Makhachev would possibly even knock out his challenger.
Makhachev stands southpaw like Poirier, eliminating one of many Diamond’s traditional benefits, and the Russian produced a highlight-reel knockout in his final battle, stopping Alexander Volkanovski with a head kick in October – the identical weapon that Gaethje used to beat Poirier in July.
Volkanovski, 145lbs champion on the time, was admittedly transferring up in weight and doing so on brief discover, however the second showcased Makhachev’s underrated putting. So did his examine proper hook in opposition to Charles Oliveira in 2022, which dropped the Brazilian and arrange a submission win for the light-weight title.
And if – or when – Makhachev initiates grappling exchanges on Saturday, he’ll concentrate on Poirier’s tendency to surrender his again. It was from that place that Poirier misplaced each of his earlier title pictures, tapping to rear bare chokes in opposition to Khabib and Oliveira. Poirier in reality gave up his again twice in opposition to Saint-Denis, although he did effectively to outlive en path to victory.
In any case, a standing guillotine is one factor, but when Poirier pulls a leaping choke in opposition to Makhachev, he’ll voluntarily put himself in grave hazard. Poirier could really feel it’s definitely worth the danger, and that he can lastly seal the submission and belt which have eluded him for therefore lengthy. Historical past suggests in any other case.
