UFC 299: Dustin Poirier eyeing up ‘legend fights’ with win over Benoit Saint Denis

He’s had 30 UFC bouts, including a memorable trilogy against Conor McGregor, but this weekend Dustin Poirier is on a mission to prove he isn’t a spent force as an elite lightweight contender.

He’s had 30 UFC bouts, a handful of title fights and a memorable trilogy against Conor McGregor, and this weekend Dustin Poirier is on a mission to prove he isn’t a spent force as an elite lightweight contender.

It’s a statement the 35-year-old legend wants to prove to himself as much as anyone else.

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“This one is about a challenge to myself,” said Poirier, who fights rising star Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299 this weekend.

“I’m standing in front of a young, hungry fighter who’s on a streak.

“He has momentum, but I want to show to myself that I’ve still got it with these guys. I want to show that I’m still here.

“This is a personal challenge to myself.”

Dustin Poirier stopped Conor McGregor twice during his UFC career. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Despite his own formidable record, Poirier’s task is a daunting one.

France’s Saint Denis is on a five-fight win streak, including three knockouts, two submissions and three fight night bonuses.

The former French army officer and paratrooper has an entire country behind him and boasts a formidable background in judo, jiu jitsu and kickboxing.

The 28-year-old’s form is so compelling that oddsmakers have installed him as the big favourite, to the tune of $1.47.

When asked about the betting lines, the $2.67 outsider Poirier – who can boast wins over legends of the sport like McGregor, Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler – is typically blunt.

“I don’t really give a f**k, man,” he said. “It is what it is.

Dustin Poirier (right), beat Max Holloway for the interim lightweight title in 2019. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s finished his last five opponents, has a lot of hype behind him and he’s fighting for France. He’s gritty, hard-nosed and dangerous.”

With a win, Saint Denis can propel himself towards lightweight title contention, but he hasn’t ever fought someone of Poirier’s experience or class.

Nor has he ever won a UFC fight that entered the third round.

“If I can get him out of there in one round, I’ll do that,” Poirier said. “But if it goes four or five rounds, that’s to my benefit – I’ve been fighting at the top for a long, long time.

“At the same time, we’ve never seen him tested there. We’ve never seen him slow down and be exhausted.

“Anyone can get caught early, or in a submission, but usually if two men fight for 25 minutes and five rounds, the better fighter wins.

“And I believe I’m the better fighter.”

Benoit Saint Denis is a fighter on the rise. Picture: Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Closer to the end of his career than to the start, Poirier understands why all the hype is on Saint Denis, but says he’s still got a few big-money, fan-friendly fights left in him.

“Honestly, I think any big win – with my track record – I’m one win away from a title fight at any time,“ he said. “That’s just on what I’ve done in the sport.

“For something to interest me now, it would have to be a title fight. It would have to be a legend fight, and something big.”

Poirier didn’t rule out a fourth showdown against McGregor, but is as in the dark about the Irishman’s fighting future as everyone else.

“I’m a fan of the sport, so whenever that guy fights, I’m watching, but who knows if he ever comes back,” he said. “Your guess is as good as mine.

“But, I’m not looking too far ahead, or chasing anybody. I have this young, hungry Frenchman who flew over here to whip my ass.

“I need to handle him first, and I’m gonna knock him out.”

Originally published as UFC 299: Dustin Poirier eyeing up ‘legend fights’ with win over Benoit Saint Denis