Dustin Poirier nonetheless hasn’t squashed his beef with Michael Chandler.
In 2022, Poirier choked out Chandler within the featured combat of UFC 281. Following his win, Poirier ripped into Chandler for being “a grimy motherf*cker” who dedicated a number of fouls in the course of the combat, together with accusing him of fish-hooking. Almost two years since, that animosity nonetheless lingers.
Final week, Poirier hopped on social media to tease one closing combat, and fired tweets at potential opponents like Islam Makhachev and Conor McGregor. Chandler was fast to reply, telling Poirier to retire, which actually bothered “The Diamond.”
“No thanks” – retire man…we good.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 2, 2024
“Who the f*ck is ‘we?!’” Poirier stated Wednesday on The MMA Hour. “You simply go right here, buddy. You’re not considered one of us. You’re not ‘we.’ I’ve been right here. ‘We’re good.’ Who’s we? Welcome to the UFC, dude. You’ve received one win within the UFC.
“He’s not considered one of us. I’ve been slicing my enamel within the UFC since January of 2011, 2010. He simply received right here. Who’s we? He’s talking for the light-weight division? Muscle Milk Mike wants to sit back.”
Chandler’s response to Poirier comes as the previous Bellator light-weight champion is caught in limbo. Theoretically, Chandler is meant to combat McGregor after the 2 served as coaches on The Final Fighter, however McGregor pulled out of their scheduled combat at UFC 303 with a toe harm, which means Chandler has now been ready for almost two years for a combat which will by no means come. And whereas Poirier could have his points with Chandler, he does no less than perceive the troublesome place he’s in.
“He’s risking the possibility of dropping the combat if it ever materializes,” Poirier stated. “But when he goes in there and loses to another person, do they offer him that Conor shot once more? If he takes one other combat does Conor transfer on and take a unique combat as properly?
“The payoff of beating Conor McGregor, financially and simply in your profession, is well worth the wait. However in the event you by no means get it, you’re losing numerous years and also you’re not a younger man. These years are essential.
“I don’t know how he’s. I’m certain he’s received clever individuals round him serving to him along with his offers. I don’t know how his contract is structured, but when it does occur and he did the best factor on the backend, he’s going to be paid and set his household up. But when it doesn’t, you’re losing numerous years and on this recreation we get previous fast. You allow for 2 years — and I don’t know the way previous he’s, 36? 37? You allow for 2 years and are available again, you might appear to be a unique individual. However solely he is aware of.”
Poirier, in fact, had a memorable trilogy with McGregor, the ultimate combat being the latest time McGregor competed: when he shattered his leg at UFC 264. These wins helped elevate “The Diamond” to one of many largest stars within the UFC and set his household up for all times financially. However trying again on issues, Poirier says he wouldn’t have caught round so long as Chandler has for this combat.
“I don’t assume so. Not two years,” Poirier stated. “I’d must be within the place. It’s powerful to say [how long I’d have waited]. After combating him the second time in Abu Dhabi after which the way in which my contract was structured, I might have waited, in all probability — in all probability a 12 months.”
Poirier most not too long ago competed at UFC 302, dropping his his light-weight title shot towards Islam Makhachev. Following the bout, Poirier hinted at retirement, however seems to not be set on something for the time being.
