UFC 290 co-main event saw former lightweight title contender Dustin Poirier (30-8-1) taking on French sensation, Benoit Saint-Denis (13-2). “The Diamond” was under a lot of pressure as he was coming off a head-kick KO loss against Justin Gaethje at UFC 291. Saint-Denis, on the other hand, was on a 5-fight win streak in the UFC. Hence, the former French Air Special Forces member was the favorite coming into the bout. However, in true Poirier style, the Louisiana native has flipped the script.
Despite the early grappling superiority from Benoit, Dustin stayed in the fight and he threatened BDS with many guillotine submission attempts. However, it was his trademark striking that ultimately earned him the win. At the 2:32 minute mark of the second round, the 35-year-old landed a picture-perfect right hand that knocked the “God of War” out cold! During the slow-motion replay, fans could the blood fly out of the 28-year-old fighter’s face as Poirier landed the vicious strike.
DUSTIN POIRIER IS THE MAN pic.twitter.com/qQ2TaXG97N
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) March 10, 2024
After the fight, many UFC fighters reacted to the KO, including Dustin’s old rival Conor McGregor. The former UFC double-champ congratulated both the fighters on an amazing contest at UFC 299. However, “The Notorious One” was not the only one to react to the result. From UFC star Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson to comedian Theo Von, many celebrities took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their excitement.
BJ Penn, the former lightweight champion, loved the performance and added, “What a KO from @DustinPoirier! 👊🏼 #UFC299”
Here are some of the reactions to Dustin’s KO
Very impressive Dustin 👏🏻💎
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) March 10, 2024
Great fight out of them French boys tonight! Toutes nos félicitations @DustinPoirier @BenoitSt_Denis @EmmanuelMacron 🇫🇷
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 10, 2024
PAID IN FULL!!@DustinPoirier #UFC299
— Theo Von (@TheoVon) March 10, 2024
What a KO from @DustinPoirier! 👊🏼 #UFC299 pic.twitter.com/qqFGuwlJ7z
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) March 10, 2024
The diamond still brightening 🙌
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) March 10, 2024
With as hard as DP hits you gotta show him more respect. https://t.co/8Si5j4lvpk
— Funky (@Benaskren) March 10, 2024
Poirier is that guy man! What a stud! 💎 #UFC299
— “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) March 10, 2024
Now that’s what experience looks like! 👏 #ufc299
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) March 10, 2024
Diamond!!!!!!!!!!
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) March 10, 2024
While he got KO’ed, Saint-Denis’ stocks will not take too much of a dip due to the kind of performance he managed to put in. As many before BDS found out, fighting Dustin Poirier is not an easy task and only 8 fighters have succeeded in defeating him. Many times during the contest, Benoit was in a great position to put his opponent in a lot of trouble. Despite the loss, fans will be excited to see what the 12th-ranked 155lbs fighters will do next.
Dustin Poirier paid tribute to Benoit Saint-Denis’ army history at UFC 299
Dustin Poirier has never lost two successive UFC fights and that record stays intact at UFC 299. Despite facing early challenges, DP managed to weather the storm and secured his 30th MMA win and 15th KO of his career. After the bout, Dustin added that he decided to give Benoit Saint-Denis the shot as it was important for the division to have the young guns fight the veterans.
Not just that, Poirier also had some words for Benoit’s past services in the French Air Special Force. Dustin said, “I wanna give him his props, respect for defending his country. Respect for being part of the military.”
What did you think of the bout? Let us know in the comments below.