SUMMARY
- UFC CEO Dana White announced two big fights scheduled in the upcoming months.
- Dustin Poirier is set to take on Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 and Charles Oliveira will face Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300.
UFC CEO Dana White took to social media on Sunday night to announce fights involving Lightweight fighters Dustin Poirier and Charles Oliveira. Poirier will face Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 and Oliveira will take on Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300. Poirier, who was hoping to make his return at UFC 300, will not get his wish fulfilled.
In November 2023, Poirier claimed in an interview with MMA Fighting that fighting at UFC 300 would be a big deal. “My current mindset, I’d fight in six weeks, I’d fight in eight weeks if the fight made sense and I was excited about it,” Poirier told MMA Fighting. “But other than that, I think a chance to fight on UFC 300 is a big deal.”
He explained how he missed UFC 200 so UFC 300 is his only shot to fight at a milestone PPV. However, White’s latest announcement would have dashed his hopes.
TWO HUGE LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHTS JUST ANNOUNCED BY DANA WHITE#UFC299 : Dustin Poirier vs Benoit Saint Denis #UFC300 : Charles Oliveira vs Arman Tsarukyan
THIS IS MASSIVE pic.twitter.com/phr77OIn9F
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) January 8, 2024
On the other hand, UFC 299 has just gotten better with Poirier’s fight announcement. ‘Diamond’ will take on #12 ranked UFC Lightweight Saint-Denis, who is on a five-match winning streak. The French fighter lost on his UFC debut, which was a Welterweight bout, however, after turning to Lightweight, he has not faced defeat.
Moreover, the fighters requested to not have the regular three-round fight, and their request was accepted as they co-main-event UFC 299 in two months.
Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint-Denis will co-main-event UFC 299 with a five-round battle
UFC 299 will take place on March 9, 2024, at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The main event will see Sean O’Malley defend his Bantamweight title against Marlon Vera.
Following the announcement of Poirier vs Saint-Denis, White explained that both fighters asked for the fight to be five rounds. The UFC chief accepted their request.
34-year-old Poirier holds a 29-8 record in professional MMA. His last fight was against Justin Gaethje for the BMF title at UFC 291. ‘The Highlight’ won that bout via a brutal head-kick KO. Poirier will be hoping to get back to winning ways in March.
MASSIVE 5 ROUND CO MAIN IN MIAMI
Benoit Saint Denis vs Dustin Poirier #UFC299 | March 9 | 5 Rounds | 155 lbs
via Dana White
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/2gF395UgHg
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) January 8, 2024
On the other hand, Saint-Denis last fought at UFC 295 against Matt Frevola. The French fighter fought thrice in the second half of 2023 and won all his bouts via stoppage. The 28-year-old will hope to get a win at UFC 299 and climb the UFC Lightweight rankings further.
Moreover, White announced another UFC 300 fight in Oliveira vs Tsarukyan. The UFC chief claimed this is a #1 contender’s match and the winner will face Islam Makhachev for the title in the summer of 2024.