Dustin Poirier is all set for what will likely be the biggest fight of his career so far. With his incredible tenure and story drawing to a close, Poirier has the opportunity to leave on a high with a belt wrapped around his waist. That said, he will need all the help that he can get for this one.
For those unaware, it was previously announced that Dustin Poirier would be facing the lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302. Whilst there were rumors about the same after his win against Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299, Poirier was finalized for the bout after the Arman Tsarukyan vs Charles Oliveira fight concluded at UFC 300. With Tsarukyan initially approached for the fight, it was too short notice for him to fight the champion.
#UFC302 is looking good! You better be ready! 🔥
Fight Club Pre-Sale is LIVE: https://t.co/uXAg0DZE2J#VisitNJ | @Visit_NJ pic.twitter.com/caueUh7J13
— UFC (@ufc) April 17, 2024
Thus, in a pleasant twist of fate, lightweight mainstay, former interim champion and two-time title challenger Dustin Poirier was instead given the call to fight for the title. Although many have had their qualms about it, the fight will go ahead regardless and quite possibly the final fight of Poirier’s career. Thus, he intends to come in with some special tricks up his sleeve for this one.
Dustin Poirier reveals how Mateusz Gamrot is telling him to stop jumping for guillotines
Recently we’ve seen Dustin Poirier’s obsession for the guillotine choke truly coming to the forefront. Since his fight against Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299, the fighter seems adamant to try and pull off the move and get a win with it. Moreover, seeing the likes of Anthony Smith and Michel Pereira get wins via the guillotine choke this past weekend at UFC 301, Poirier is likely even more encouraged to try and attempt the same.
That said, it’s safe to say that coach Mike Brown and fellow teammate Mateusz Gamrot are not on the same page about him attempting guillotine chokes in fights.
“I’m gonna get one, I’m gonna get one. Yeah, I’ll get a bronze statue in my front yard, of me, in the guillotine position. You miss all the ones you don’t jump man.”
“Yeah, of course, Gamrot and Mike Brown are telling me to stop it.”
In the past, we’ve seen Poirier attempt the choke on numerous occasions, including against Islam Makhachev’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Although it did not work out for him on that occasion, it hasn’t discouraged the fighter from continuing to go after that. Considering that he has a BJJ black belt under Tim Credeur, Dustin Poirier is more than capable of executing the flashy move.
Is Mateusz Gamrot the right man to help Dustin Poirier prepare for Islam Makhachev?
For the most part, Dustin Poirier and Mateusz Gamrot have been working together for a while now. Ahead of UFC 299, both fighters trained together for their respective fights. Whilst Poirier was preparing for his aforementioned fight against Benoit Saint Denis, Gamrot faced an equally tough task of taking on Rafael Dos Anjos on the night. Thus, with their alliance bearing fruit, the two have continued training together since then.
With that, the ‘Gamer’ now finds himself ranked #5 in the lightweight division, with wins over some contenders. Notably, one of his biggest wins has come against Arman Tsarukyan, the man who many feel is the only real threat to Islam Makhachev’s reign. Owing to his wrestling-heavy style, Gamrot has found a lot of success against other wrestlers and grapplers like Tsarukyan, Dos Anjos, and others.
Another solid work 🔥🔥🔥 5 x 5 @DustinPoirier #andnew pic.twitter.com/KWph8QAKxN
— Mateusz Gamrot (@gamer_mma) May 4, 2024
Thus, seeing Gamrot’s credentials, he is possibly the best fighter to help Poirier prepare for the task ahead. As Dustin Poirier has since revealed, Arman Tsarukyan has also joined the duo, giving the challenger the best possible practice to prepare for the upcoming fight. That said if he manages to limit his compulsion of jumping for guillotines and following the set game plan, Poirier could fare much better than what many expect.
