UFC lightweight fighter Dustin Poirier has made the shocking announcement that he will no longer be facing Benoit Saint-Denis in their highly-anticipated bout. The decision comes after both parties failed to come to terms on the financial aspects of the fight. Poirier, with a professional record of 29 wins and 8 losses, was set to take on rising contender Saint-Denis, who boasts an impressive record of 13 wins and only 1 loss. The bout was scheduled to be a co-main event at UFC 299, alongside the bantamweight title fight between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera.
The Dispute and Poirier’s Explanation
Poirier took to social media on Thursday to break the news to his fans, stating that the fight with Saint-Denis was “off.” In a subsequent statement to ESPN, he elaborated on the situation, explaining that there was no contractual agreement in place before the fight was announced. As a result, the two parties were unable to come to terms on the financial details, leading to the cancellation of the fight. The UFC has yet to comment on Poirier’s decision.
Poirier’s last fight took place in July, where he suffered a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje in a BMF title fight. Since then, the 35-year-old lightweight fighter has had a remarkable three-year run, facing high-profile opponents such as Conor McGregor and Charles Oliveira. His thrilling fights have earned him a dedicated fan base, with the BMF fight becoming a standout moment in his career. However, this latest setback means that Poirier’s return to the octagon will have to wait.
On the other side of the equation, Saint-Denis, a 28-year-old rising star in the lightweight division, finds himself without a high-profile opponent. With a five-fight win streak under his belt, this was supposed to be his chance to prove himself against a seasoned veteran like Poirier. However, the financial dispute has halted his progress and left him without a fight on the horizon. It remains to be seen what the UFC’s next move will be regarding Saint-Denis and his future matchups.
With the Poirier vs. Saint-Denis fight falling through, the lineup for UFC 299 has undoubtedly been altered. While the bantamweight title fight between O’Malley and Vera remains intact, the loss of the highly-anticipated lightweight matchup is a significant blow to the event. It remains to be seen whether the UFC will be able to find a suitable replacement for Poirier to maintain the card’s appeal. Fans who were looking forward to witnessing these two talented fighters clash will undoubtedly be disappointed by this turn of events.
The fallout from the failed financial negotiations between Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint-Denis has left a void in the UFC lightweight division. Both fighters will have to regroup and reassess their futures in the sport. As for UFC 299, the absence of this thrilling matchup will undoubtedly impact the overall excitement surrounding the event. Time will tell how the promotion navigates this setback and moves forward to provide fans with an equally thrilling replacement bout.
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