What’s Next For Dustin Poirier After UFC 281?

It was good to see Dustin Poirier return to the UFC Octagon where he was born to be. Poirier put himself at the front of the pack for Lightweight title contusion but we don’t think a title will be next for the Louisiana native but we do have some fights we’d like to see Poirier fight. The first fight we’d love to see Justin Gaethje take on Porier in the Octagon. One other opponent that would make for an interesting fight is high level Grappler Beneil Dariush. This is a long shot, but we’d love to see Poirier move up and fight Colby Covington, the pair hate each other and it’d make for high drama.

We’d love to see Porier fight Gaethje, and so does Gaethje who said in an interview before Chandler and Poiriers fight at UFC 281 “Ideally, Poirier beats Chandler, I’d like to fight Poirier. I mean, he beat me. That’s one win I’d like to get back. It was Fight of the Year, Fight of the Decade — Fight of a Couple Years, probably. That was a hell of a fight. That’s ideal” we certainly agree that this would be fireworks just like Porier’s fight with Chandler. It’d be a great fight to watch because Gaethje is a human highlight as his nickname implies because it’s true this would be a great fight.

One fight that makes sense for Louisiana’s Poirier is a matchup between him and Beneil Dariush. Dariush is coming off a win against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280 in October he is riding an amazing eight fight win streak which I think Poirier could snap in the UFC cage. But it would definitely be super competitive as Dariush and an amazing grappler who much like poirier is a Brazilian Jiu jitsu Black Belt, but he is on another level in grappling in terms of Grappling for MMA as Dariush in that division is up their with guys like Charles Oliveira.

Another good fight would be a matchup between Colby Covington and Poirier. The smack talk would be epic. This would be a move up for Poirier, but I think the diamond could manage this matchup very well. Covington is a wrestler and is quite boring; he barely backs up his smack talk in the cage with his lackluster striking and boring wrestling style and was almost cut by the promotion till he turned heel. Poirier on the other hand is a top tier fighter who will bring the fight to Covington. Just remember Poirier’s only two losses in the last six years were to Charles Oliveira and Khabib Nurmagomedov are two of the best Lightweights of all time.

These are some fights that would make sense for Dustin Poirier after his win against Michael Chandler at UFC 281. We can’t wait to see what comes next for the Diamond.

Fighter Profile: Beneil Dariush

Beneil Dariush was suppose to take on UFC Lightweight standout Islam Makachev in a high level grappling Matchup. With Dariush’s BJJ and Makachev’s Sambo and wrestling on full display. Unfortunately for MMA fans across the world Dariush got injured. Hopefully for UFC fans this matchup will be made up at some point in the future, maybe for the belt. Dariush is an amazing fighter with both ground and striking game.

Dariush was born May 6, 1989 in Urmia, Iran where he was raised on his family’s farm. Eventually his family would move to America where they had family, but things were tough for Dariush who didn’t speak English. He’d start training in Martial Arts first in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu which he earned his Black Belt in an astounding five years after training considering with most people it usually takes them about ten to 15 years with no interruptions. Some of Dariush’s accomplishments in the grappling world where being a no gi world champion as a blue, purple, and brown belt and many other silver and bronze medals. Dariush would also train in Muay Thai under Rafael Cordeiro where he’d earn his Black Belt.

Dariush made his MMA debut in November of 2009 when he faced off against Jordan Betts winning by Split Decision. Dariush would then face off against Vance Bejarano winning by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke.) Dominic Gutierrez would be next for Dariush in October 2011 he’d get the win via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke.) He’d then face Gilberto dos Santos in the High Fight Rock promotion winning by TKO(Doctor Stoppage.) He’d then face Trace Gray earning a quick victory with an Armbar. He’d then KO Jason Meaders in his last fight not in the UFC.

Dariush would enter the UFC with a perfect 6-0 record. In his first outing with the promotion he’d face Charlie Brenneman winning by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke.) He’d then face Ramsey Nijem in April of 2014, he’d lose by TKO(Punches.) He’d then win five fights in a row including victories over Daron Cruickshank, Jim Miller, and Michael Johnson. His streak was snapped when he faced Michael Chiesa. He’d win two in a row next with victories over James Vick and Rashid Magomedov. The Next patch of Dariush’s career was very rough with two losses to Edson Barboz and Alexander Hernandez and a draw to Evan Dunham. He’d then go on a seven fight win Streak which he is still riding.

We hope to see Dariush fight again soon. It’s already been ten months since we saw him in the UFC Octagon and hopefully we’ll see him continue this win streak in a division full of killers.

3 Great Fights Coming Up In February

‘Blonde Brunson’ after his victory over Darren Till. Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

The UFC took a small break over the holidays and we’re now back into the swing of things and the UFC has some awesome fights coming up in February. Including a PPV card for UFC 271 and some other great fights that are on Fight Night cards.

Derek Brunson Vs Jared Cannonier

Derek Brunson will be making his return to the UFC Octagon in February at UFC 271 when he faces Jared Cannonier. Brunson is coming off a win against Darren Till in September of 2021. Brunson is riding a five fight win streak and is currently ranked fourth in the UFC Middleweight division. He will face number three ranked Jared Cannonier. Cannonier is coming off a win against Kelvin Gastelum who he beat via Unanimous Decision. Cannonier beat Gastelum after being out of the Octagon since October of 2020 after healing from an injury sustained in his loss to Robert Whittaker. He hopes to put an end to Blonde Brunson’s streak. It is expected that the winner might face the winner of Adesanya vs. Whittaker.

Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2

Israel Adesanya will return to the UFC Octagon at UFC 271 to make his fourth title defense against Robert Whittaker who he won the Middleweight title against at UFC 243 in October of 2019 by KO. Adesanya has been absolutely unstoppable at Middleweight winning every contest he has ever fought at 185. His only loss in MMA came as a result of a move up to attempt to become a double champion by taking then Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Błachowicz’s title. Robert Whittaker has been on a three fight win streak since losing his title to Adesanya including victories over Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, and Kelvin Gastelum. Before losing to Adesanya, Whittaker was on an impressive nine fight win streak including wins over Derek Brunson, Ronaldo Souza, and Yoel Romero.

Islam Makachev vs. Beneil Dariush

Dariush Is also riding a win streak of his own winning his last seven fights including victories over prominent Lightweights like Tony Ferguson. Dariush is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is also a Black Belt in Muay Thai so it’ll be interesting which weapons in his arsenal he will pull out when he faces Makhachev.Dariush had a rough patch in his early fight career, but has proved over and over again that he should be in title contention.

Great Fights Coming Your Way In 2022!

What's ahead for Francis Ngannou, Israel Adesanya and every other UFC champion — UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya. Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC

Gegard Mousasi vs. Austin Vanderford

Bellator Middleweight World Champion Gegard Mousasi faces undefeated, number one contender Austin Vanderford in the main event of Bellator Dublin on February 25th live from the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. Mousasi is making his second title defense of his second reign as Bellator Middleweight Champion. He’s riding a three fight win streak including victories over Lyoto Machida, Douglas Lima, and John Salter. The Middleweight champ has a lengthy fight record in the sport’s two biggest promotions. He will be facing Austin Vanderford who last fought Fabian Edwards at Bellator 259 Cyborg vs. Smith 2. Vanderford is originally from Alaska and is currently fighting out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek FL.

Islam Makhachev vs. Beneil Dariush

Islam Makhachev is hailed by some as the second coming of former Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Some even say that even though Makhachev is not undefeated like his mentor Nurmagomedov, he is a better fighter. Mackachev is riding a nine fight win streak and before his loss to Adriano Martins at UFC 192 he was riding an impressive twelve fight win streak. Makhachev hopes that with a win over Beneil Dariush he will get closer to a title fight than ever before. Dariush Is also riding a win streak of his own winning his last seven fights including victories over prominent Lightweights like Tony Ferguson. Dariush is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is also a Black Belt in Muay Thai so it’ll be interesting which weapons in his arsenal he will pull out when he faces Makhachev.

Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2

Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane

UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou will face off against Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane in January at UFC 270 in a five round championship unifying fight. Nagannou is coming off his title win at UFC 260 when he beat Heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic. Ngannou is on a five fight win streak and he hopes to make it six when he faces the undefeated interim champ Gane. Gane was Ngannou’s former training partner, and whatever Ngannou’s former coach is doing for his athletes is working incredibly well as Gane has climbed to the top of the division rather quickly with victories over Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Alexander Volkov, and Derrick Lewis with the last fight against Lewis earning him the UFC interim Heavyweight title. It’ll be interesting to see how these two do when they step into the UFC Octagon.