UFC 302 is but a few sleeps away. Despite the hype behind it mainly being focused on the headliner, the event has managed to creep up on us surprisingly quickly. At the same time, it would not be a Dustin Poirier fight week without some drama and like always, Conor McGregor is somehow involved.
For those unaware, Dustin Poirier challenges Islam Makhachev’s reign as undisputed lightweight champion at UFC 302. Live out of the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Poirier will try his hand at winning the title for the third time, in what will also seemingly be the last fight of his career, regardless of whether he wins or loses. Thus, by all means, it is a must-see TV.
Flickin up in the beautiful streets of New Jersey🤩📷
[ #VisitNJ | #UFC302 | @Visit_NJ ] pic.twitter.com/F9kQAK27mk
— UFC (@ufc) May 29, 2024
Notably, Poirier arguably faces the toughest challenge of his career so far, with Islam being labeled the advanced version of his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov. With the odds stacked overwhelmingly against him, it will truly be a monumental upset if Dustin manages to pull it off. Judging by the way, the community is reacting so far, there are a lot of hopefuls eager to watch the Louisiana native fulfill his destiny.
Conor McGregor grills Islam Makhachev for staph infection suspicions
Ahead of his return at UFC 303, Conor McGregor has once again become ever-present and active on social media. In the buildup to the fight between Dustin Poirier and Islam Makhachev, Conor initially picked his former foe to win by way of knockout. However, his recent findings have seemingly changed that prediction.
In typical Conor fashion, the megastar has once again taken to trolling his fellow competitors. Initially, the Irishman started by making fun of Dustin Poirier’s custom floral shorts for UFC 302. Comparing them to tampons, ‘The Notorious One’ jibed at his former opponent. However, his observations about Islam were likely the bigger talking point. Taking to his social media, McGregor wrote:
And this 👇 pic.twitter.com/YiEzrIx6yh
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 29, 2024
“Staph again. This inbred however lives with Staph. This team is infested, make no mistake. Scruff balls. Whatever ya’s are into, I suppose. He still subs Dustin in the 1st.”
“Yous absolute scruffy f***s I’m sick of yous. Wash your fucking self! Wash your clothes! Wash your mats! And do it fucking everyday you scruffy c***s.”
Since their photoshoots on media day, many eagle-eyed fans have spotted a wound on Islam Makhachev’s left leg. Seemingly an indication of staph infection, it has naturally become a big talking point ahead of the fight. Whilst Conor seems to believe that Islam will push the pace and try to find an early finish because of the infection, it has seemingly given fans rooting for Dustin Poirier, even more hope.
Fans pile further hope on Dustin Poirier owing to Islam Makhachev’s rumored infection
For the most part, staph infections are said to occur when certain bacteria enter the body either by way of cuts, scrapes or skin-to-skin contact. As Conor McGregor seems to suggest, it is likely that the infection took place during Islam Makhachev’s camp for the fight. That said, what does the injury mean for the lightweight champ and why are fans of Dustin Poirier even more optimistic about his victory?
All things considered, staph infection severely affects a fighter’s stamina and endurance. A key example of this is Dustin’s opponent from his last fight at UFC 299, Benoit Saint Denis. Ahead of their fight, it was quite evident that the Frenchman was carrying a staph infection and its effects were quite visible during the fight. After a dominant first round, Saint Denis was seemingly running on fumes in Round 2, which led to his KO loss.
Didn’t BSD have staph right before the DP fight…maybe it really is Dustin’s time!
— David Willson (@dwillson315) May 30, 2024
That does look a lot like a nearly healed staph infection.
— SickOfThisShit (@mmafandownunder) May 29, 2024
MMA twitter was right about BSD 🤷🏽♂️
— Fishburne (@HustleUp84) May 29, 2024
Looks like Makhachev was on anti biotics for a time
— Nattsøkeren🇳🇴 (@Psychaitrist69) May 30, 2024
Always for poirier’s opponents 😅
— Jérôme Lesuisse (@jerome_lesuisse) May 29, 2024
Thus, if true in this case, a similar effect on Islam’s stamina will mean that the fight will be much more in favor of Dustin Poirier should he manage to weather the early storm. As such, a lot of factors have seemingly started to fall into place for Dustin to realize his dream of becoming an undisputed lightweight champion. Will he fulfill his destiny? The fans certainly seem to believe so.