In the aftermath of his UFC 302 defeat against Islam Makhachev, former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has expressed interest in a potential clash with Dustin Poirier. The Australian fighter, known as “The Great,” is open to facing the Louisiana native should Poirier decide to continue competing in the octagon.
Volkanovski’s recent loss to Makhachev in the main event at UFC 302 raised questions about his future in the sport. Despite the setback, Volkanovski remains a perennial contender and has his sights set on returning to championship form. However, he is also eyeing exciting matchups outside of the featherweight division.
Dustin Poirier’s Uncertain Future
Dustin Poirier, a former interim lightweight champion, faced a title defeat in his most recent outing. Following the loss, there was speculation that Poirier might consider retirement. However, he has not definitively ruled out continuing his fighting career. Volkanovski acknowledges this uncertainty and sees it as an opportunity for a potential showdown with “The Diamond.”
Alexander Volkanovski’s Interest
In his own words, Volkanovski stated, “He [Poirier] looked great, he thinks he might be retiring. Not sure, maybe,just maybe, depending on what I’m doing; obviously I want to fight later in the year, I don’t know exactly what’s happening. I don’t want to wait too long either. So if the timing works, maybe me and Dustin can have a good fight. I know he wants good, fun fights. We’ve got a lot of respect for each other, and I think that would be a massive fight. That’s something I’d be willing to do.”
Should Dustin Poirier decide to continue competing, fight fans could witness an intriguing clash between two accomplished fighters. Both Volkanovski and Poirier have shown their skills and resilience inside the cage, and a matchup between them would undoubtedly generate excitement.
While Volkanovski aims to reclaim his featherweight throne, he remains open to stepping up in weight class for a high-profile bout. Whether it’s at lightweight or a catchweight, the prospect of Volkanovski vs. Poirier promises fireworks and could be a defining moment in both fighters’ careers.
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