Latest news with #UFC291
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Dustin Poirier's coach makes surprise admission ahead of star's retirement fight
The 'Diamond' has vowed that his UFC 318 clash with Max Holloway will be his last, but the American's coach has made a shock admission ahead of this summer's pay-per-view card Dustin Poirier 's long-time coach, Mike Brown, has hinted that his star fighter's upcoming fight might not signal the end of his days in the world of combat sports. 'The Diamond' is set to step back into the cage at UFC 318 this July, going head-to-head with ex-featherweight champion and BMF belt owner Max Holloway in New Orleans. Fans are eagerly anticipating the mouthwatering clash clash, which is already being tipped as Poirier's retirement fight. Poirier, 36, has assured the UFC faithful that his next fight will be his last appearance inside the cage. The American has not fought since he suffered an agonising defeat to Islam Makhachev last June. But amid talks of retirement, Brown is not 100 per cent sure UFC 318 will be the final fight of Poirier's legendary career. In an interview with MMA Fighting, when speaking of Poirier, Brown said: 'I mean, I think so. You can never say never, but he's done really well for himself. He's made a boatload of money. He's set. He doesn't need to fight. So it would have to be something pretty enticing. I mean, that could always happen, but I think he's content with his accomplishments and content with the money he has made and what he's done.' Over the years, Poirier has produced many iconic moments inside the octagon. Brown himself has plenty of favourite Poirier moments from the American's career, from his comeback win against Dan Hooker to his knockout finish over long-time rival Conor McGregor. That said, scoring a guillotine-choke submission over Holloway would undoubtedly be the icing on the cake for Poirier - who boasts eight career wins by submission yet never with his favoured move. "Everyone would be pretty happy with that, I think," Brown said. "That would be pretty cool, you never know. I mean, people didn't think he was going to rear-naked (Michael) Chandler, right? Who ain't got jiu-jitsu, right? No, he's got jiu-jitsu. People sleep on it." While Poirier eagerly anticipates a third showdown with Holloway, he never expected him to be the last opponent before hanging up his gloves. The upcoming clash with 'Blessed' will mark one of the most enduring trilogies in UFC history, given their first clash was back in 2012, followed by a second bout for the interim lightweight title seven years subsequently. In an exclusive chat with MMA Junkie, 'The Diamond' revealed his initial preference: "Well, I wanted [Justin] Gaethje. I was asking the UFC for Gaethje because we're one and one." Notably, Poirier had previously stopped Gaethje in their 2018 encounter, but suffered a knockout defeat at the hands of the American during UFC 291 in July 2023. "I wanted to close out that trilogy," Poirier said. "For some reason, they really wanted this fight with Max. So I said, 'Okay, that's cool because I respect the guy.'" He also shut down any rumours about fighting former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, confirming that wasn't even a consideration as the Spaniard-Georgian dropped his 145lb title to step up a weight class. "Not once. Not once," Poirier said. "Actually, when he said he was going to 155 [lbs], I texted UFC and said, 'Hey, what's up? Let me know what's going on with this guy now he's at 55.' But they never entertained it. They told me it's not happening, and they wanted I said, this was blindsided. I thought Max was like the last person I thought they were going to try to match me up with."
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Din Thomas: UFC should 'retire' BMF belt if Dustin Poirier wins final fight
Din Thomas: UFC should 'retire' BMF belt if Dustin Poirier wins final fight Din Thomas thinks Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3 at UFC 318 should be the final BMF title fight. Reigning BMF champion Holloway (26-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) will attempt to defend the belt in Poirier's (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) retirement fight, which takes place July 19 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). It will be just the fourth matchup in UFC history with the BMF theme attached, starting with Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz at UFC 244 in November 2019. It went into hiatus until Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 291 in July 2023, then Holloway vs. Gaethje at UFC 300 in April 2024. There is no official rhyme or reason for when BMF fights happen, but Thomas thinks the spirit in which it was created doesn't have much more legs. "I think (this should be the last one), only because the BMF belt is so limited," Thomas told MMA Junkie. "Everybody wants to fight for it, but because it's kind of been in the hands of lightweights and welterweights, you really alienate a lot of people who should fight for it, who could fight for it. So it's like, 'What are we doing with this?' And to be honest with you, the game ain't really full of BMFs like it used to be. Now we've got a bunch of athletes lobbying for money and money fights. We don't got a lot of BMFs like we used to have, so I think they should just do away with it." It's uncertain what the future of the BMF title could be if Holloway wins at UFC 318. The UFC might see further promotional use for it, but if Poirier emerges triumphant in his final career fight, Thomas thinks it would be a fitting end to the lineage. "If they retire the BMF belt with Dustin, I'm OK with that," Thomas said. "It gives Dustin an opportunity to walk away with the BMF belt. This is something that will really encapsulate his entire career because Dustin was a BMF his entire career, and if he could walk away with that belt? Come on, man. This is storybook. This is unprecedented activity here, and I love every bit of it." To hear more from Thomas, check out his complete appearance on "The Bohnfire" podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn in the video above.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Din Thomas: UFC should 'retire' BMF belt if Dustin Poirier wins final fight
Din Thomas thinks Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier 3 at UFC 318 should be the final BMF title fight. Reigning BMF champion Holloway (26-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) will attempt to defend the belt in Poirier's (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) retirement fight, which takes place July 19 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). It will be just the fourth matchup in UFC history with the BMF theme attached, starting with Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz at UFC 244 in November 2019. It went into hiatus until Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 291 in July 2023, then Holloway vs. Gaethje at UFC 300 in April 2024. There is no official rhyme or reason for when BMF fights happen, but Thomas thinks the spirit in which it was created doesn't have much more legs. "I think (this should be the last one), only because the BMF belt is so limited," Thomas told MMA Junkie. "Everybody wants to fight for it, but because it's kind of been in the hands of lightweights and welterweights, you really alienate a lot of people who should fight for it, who could fight for it. So it's like, 'What are we doing with this?' And to be honest with you, the game ain't really full of BMFs like it used to be. Now we've got a bunch of athletes lobbying for money and money fights. We don't got a lot of BMFs like we used to have, so I think they should just do away with it." It's uncertain what the future of the BMF title could be if Holloway wins at UFC 318. The UFC might see further promotional use for it, but if Poirier emerges triumphant in his final career fight, Thomas thinks it would be a fitting end to the lineage. "If they retire the BMF belt with Dustin, I'm OK with that," Thomas said. "It gives Dustin an opportunity to walk away with the BMF belt. This is something that will really encapsulate his entire career because Dustin was a BMF his entire career, and if he could walk away with that belt? Come on, man. This is storybook. This is unprecedented activity here, and I love every bit of it." To hear more from Thomas, check out his complete appearance on "The Bohnfire" podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn in the video above. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Din Thomas wants UFC to 'retire' BMF belt after Holloway vs. Poirier
USA Today
26-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ex-champion Jan Blachowicz reacts to UFC Fight Night 255 loss: 'I'll leave the verdict for discussion'
Jan Blachowicz released a statement following his UFC Fight Night 255 loss. In his first fight since July 2023, Blachowicz (29-11-1 MMA, 12-8-1 UFC) was outpointed by Carlos Ulberg (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) in this past Saturday's co-main event at The O2 in London. The former UFC light heavyweight champion was disappointed in the outcome, and thinks the judges got it wrong. 'This camp was one of the best I've had. I missed this, every part of this game. The welcome and support during fight week #UFCLondon from the whole @ufc team was amazing – I knew you missed me, but I didn't know it was like this! 😀 Thank you! More controversy on the record, as it turns out the approach to significant strikes doesn't align with the actual meaning. I'll leave the verdict for discussion. What happened in the stands after the announcement, and what's happening online right now, is pretty telling 😉 I appreciate it, but the verdict is out there, and unfortunately, it will stay on my record. We keep moving forward, going for more. Your support has been huge, and I'll remember this moment for a long time #TeamJanek 🙌🏻 #LegendaryPolishPower.' Blachowicz, 42, is now winless in his past three fights. He battled current champion Magomed Ankalaev to a split draw at UFC 282, dropped a split decision to ex-champ Alex Pereira at UFC 291, and now a unanimous decision to streaking contender Ulberg. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.
USA Today
13-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC London: Jan Blachowicz's 'perfect scenario' includes rematching Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira
Jan Blachowicz hopes he can disrupt the UFC's plans of a rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira. Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) defeated Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) by unanimous decision to become light heavyweight champion in Saturday's UFC 313 main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Blachowicz's past two fights came against Ankalaev and Pereira. After going to a split draw in his title fight against Ankalaev at UFC 282, Blachowicz (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) lost a split decision to Pereira at UFC 291. He will look to rebound when he takes on Carlos Ulberg (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) March 22 in the UFC Fight Night 255 co-headliner from O2 Arena in London. With a win, Blachowicz targets another title fight against Ankalaev, followed by a rematch against Pereira. 'What's going to happen? I'm going to have a title shot against Anakalaev,' Blachowicz said on 'The Ariel Helwani Show.' 'First of all, I focus only on Ulberg. I'm going to beat him. Then if you ask me what's next, only this. We've got our story – unfinished business we have to finish. 'First of all, I'm focused only on my next fight. Yes, I will beat Ulberg and then take title shot against Ankalaev. I beat Ankalaev, and then rematch against Pereira. I defend the belt against Pereira. This is the perfect scenario for me. Then I can go to the mountains again.' It appears all signs are pointing to Ankalaev and Pereira running things back next. Pereira recently revealed that negotiations for a rematch are currently underway. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.
