Dustin Poirier was ‘beat up and heartbroken’ after Khabib defeat
Khabib made Poirier submit in the third round of their fight in September 2019
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Dustin Poirier has revealed he felt “beat up and heartbroken” in the wake of his defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov two years ago.
The American, 32, put together a run of five victories prior to facing the Russian in September 2019. But he could not find a way to hand Khabib his first loss as the undefeated lightweight champion made Poirier submit with a third round rear-naked chokehold.
And UFC star Poirier, who has won all three of his fights since then, admits it was an incredibly bitter pill to swallow at the time.
Speaking on the MMA Hour, he said: “After the Khabib fight, I was beat up and heartbroken. I felt like the stars were aligning, and I feel like I have another opportunity here where the stars are aligning, and I’ve put myself in the position to really go out there and say I did it.
“Like a reality that hit me – this could have been it, this could have been the chance, and I just blew it. When all the cameras go away, when all the music stops playing, when you’re by yourself and you look in the mirror after a fight like that, or you go take a shower and reality sets in, it’s a tough pill to swallow sometimes.
“I’ve just got to slap myself around and say, ‘Hey, don’t talk to yourself like that.’ But that’s the thing we’re constantly doing, or I’m constantly doing, not just in fighting, but in business, everything.
“Hey, this is all going to work out. But at the same time, when thoughts do creep in like that, I’m thankful for the journey, honestly. The obstacle is the way. That’s the beauty of what we do.”
Since Poirier’s defeat to Khabib he returned in June 2020 in Las Vegas, beating Dan Hooker by unanimous decision.
He then followed that up with back-to-back fights against Conor McGregor, winning both of them in impressive fashion and putting to bed his loss to the Irishman in 2014.
He is now expected to face Charles Oliveira for the UFC Lightweight Championship on 11 December at UFC 269.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments