A pivotal matchup in the UFC’s lightweight division takes centre stage Saturday at UFC Fight Night 94 as American Top Team product Dustin Poirier battles TUF 12 finalist Michael Johnson. Similar in style, these two 155-pound standouts head into this main event matchup on different paths. Poirier has won four straight fights while Johnson is coming off back-to-back losses. But as the WEC veteran explains, a fighter’s record doesn’t always tell the whole story.
“I don’t worry about [wins and losses] as much,” Poirier told Sportsnet. “He’s lost his last two fights, I honestly feel like he got robbed of a decision against Beneil Dariush [at UFC Fight Night 73]. I thought he won that fight. Then he went out there and had a fun fight with Nate Diaz. It’s going to be a fun fight.”
Poirier (20-4) credits his recent success on his decision to move up to lightweight from featherweight early last year. “The Diamond” admits he’s eating a lot more these days but believes he’s living a much healthier lifestyle.
“I was winning fights at 145 pounds, but I knew I couldn’t do it much longer.” Poirier explained. “My coach and I sat down and we decided it was time to make the move. The older you get, the tougher it is [to cut weight]. I eat just as clean but I eat a lot more and my body appreciates it for sure. I actually find it easier to stay lower at weight. When I was at 145 pounds I used to get heavier than I was at 155 pounds. I think that’s because my metabolism was thrown off and a lot of things. I stay in great shape year round now. I used get up to 182-185 pounds when I was at featherweight. Now I’m not even touching [180 pounds] weeks after the fight.”
Johnson (16-10) was on the verge of a title shot at the beginning of last year when he capped off a four-fight win streak defeating Edson Barboza at UFC Fight Night 61. However, after losing two straight matchups and dealing with a shoulder injury, his momentum in the lightweight division stalled. Despite having not fought since December 2015, Poirier doesn’t believe Johnson’s lack of activity will be a factor. The Louisiana-born fighter is more concerned about what he can bring to the table Saturday night.
“[Johnson] is a guy with a good bit of experience and knows how to train and prepare for fights,” Poirier said. “So [the layoff] might not hurt him at all. He was out with shoulder surgery so he might actually be feeling better than was in those last couple of fights. I used to really care about what the guy was doing and what he said when it came to the fight. But I don’t really give a [expletive] anymore man, I just got to do what I got to do. I know I’m one of the best guys in the world and I finally believe it.”
With what’s at stake for both fighters, it’s not surprising to see these two Florida-based rivals engage in verbal warfare on social media. Poirier experienced plenty of verbal jabs ahead of his 2014 matchup with Conor McGregor at UFC 178. Having learned from that situation, Poirier believes he’s got the upper hand on the trash talk game against Johnson.
“[The trash talk] definitely pumps me up, it’s exciting when a guy says something and here in five days I get to smack him in his mouth. That’s always fun. I’m not even trying, he’s just setting himself up for the shot. That will happen in the fight as well.”
With 25 stoppage victories between the two of them, the Hidalgo, Texas audience should expect nothing short of a “Fight of the Night” performance. Johnson has never lost three in a row and while Poirier knows how dangerous an opponent can be with his back against the wall, the 27-year-old’s confidence is at an all-time high.
“He’s beat two of the top three ranked guys in the division and he’s lost to some guys you’ve never heard of. So we’ll see who shows up fight night. I feel like I’m better than him everywhere. I’m going to stay in Michael Johnson’s face. Every time I’m in the cage I’m in it from bell to bell. You’re going to see the guy crumble. I’m going to soften him up the first couple of rounds and finish him in the third, fourth or earlier.”
Poirier isn’t looking past his opponent, but he is aware what a fifth straight win – especially another stoppage victory – would do for him in a crowded and stacked division.
“If I go out there and finish a guy, like I did my last fight, that’s just going to continue the rise and get me bigger fights,” Poirier added. “That’s what I’m expecting to do. I’ll see how it plays out, maybe I’ll push for another top fight before the year’s end.”