Dustin Poirier opened up about his least favorite thing regarding fighting. The UFC lightweight fighter has been fighting professionally for almost 15 years now. However, there is one aspect of the fight game that he does not particularly enjoy.
During an appearance on fellow MMA fighter Demetrious Johnson’s podcast, Poirier was asked how he feels about weight cutting. ‘Diamond’ gave his honest opinion. He said, “Honestly, it’s one of my least favorite things about fighting. If you competed at your natural weight, you’d be so undersized.”
He claimed that he explored the option of moving to welterweight many times in his career. However, he said, “These guys are huge man. A few times in my UFC career, I was like maybe I’ll move up to 170 but then I’m at a super gym with a room full of 170s at this level of competition and I’m like no – I can’t do it. They’re going to be 30 pounds heavier than me on fight night…”
The former interim lightweight champion said some fighters in the lightweight division are also bigger than him.
After beginning his career as a lightweight, Poirier moved to featherweight. He fought at 145 from 2012 to 2014 but moved back to lightweight. At featherweight, he was beaten by Conor McGregor but at lightweight, he defeated the Irish fighter twice. Poirier is more at home at 155 but he would have preferred another division.
Dustin Poirier names his preferred weight class
In the same podcast episode with DJ, Poirier opened up about his sweet spot in weight classes. He said, “Honestly, bro, if they had a [1]60 or a [1]62 or something like that. That would be perfect.”
DJ erupted in laughter after hearing this from Poirier. 162 lbs is a weight class unheard of. However, 165 lbs weight class could be something in the works and it could suit Poirier.
UFC 300
Dana will announce an update to the mens weight divisions. 165 and 175 will be new weight classes and 170 will be removed.
McGregor vs. Chandler will headline the card and fight for the 165lb title pic.twitter.com/9v77IadpeB
— Casual MMA (@CasualMMAinc) January 26, 2024
In the UFC, weight classes include featherweight (145 lbs), lightweight (155 lbs), welterweight (170 lbs) and middleweight (185 lbs). There are no provisions for the weights in between. However, in early 2024, there were rumors that UFC CEO Dana White was set to announce two new weight classes at 165 lbs and 175 lbs. As of now, there is no news regarding it. If the rumors do come true, many fighters will shuffle their weight classes.
Poirier takes on Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299
Poirier is set to take on French fighter Benoit Saint-Denis on March 9, 2024, at UFC 299 in the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Saint-Denis is an upcoming fighter who has expressed his desire to fight for the title soon.
Poirier has also expressed his ultimate goal to win the undisputed title. DJ asked ‘Diamond’ how he was feeling before the BSD fight and the 35-year-old fighter said, “I feel great.”
Things are HEATING up in Miami 🔥@DustinPoirier vs @BenoitSt_Denis is going down at #UFC299 pic.twitter.com/8Z9cog13D0
— UFC (@ufc) January 10, 2024
Poirier, who lost his last fight against Justin Gaethje via a head kick ko at UFC 291, said he does not want to lose two in a row. “I’ve never lost two fights in a row so coming off of a loss I feel like I gotta right this ship. I got to get my hand raised in Miami in March. Then, I’ve always done it this way, just taking it one fight at a time. When the smoke clears after March 9th, after UFC 299, then we reassess everything thing and see where we’re at.”
Saint-Denis, a former French Special Forces member, is on a five-win streak in the UFC. He holds an exceptional 13-1 record. The #12 ranked fighter is more than ready to begin his journey toward the title.