Islam Makhachev thinks Dustin Poirier’s potential move to welterweight is for money, not title

Islam Makhachev thinks Dustin Poirier’s potential move to welterweight is for money, not title

Islam Makhachev thinks Dustin Poirier has given up on his title hopes in the UFC.

Poirier is coming off a submission loss to lightweight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 269 in December, when he fell short in his quest for undisputed gold for a second time. “The Diamond’s” first attempt came at UFC 242 when he was submitted by Makhachev’s good friend Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Since losing to Oliveira, Poirier (28-7 MMA, 20-6 UFC) has teased a move up to welterweight, and his name has been linked to Nate Diaz. But Makhachev (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC), who’s on his own path to the title, thinks Poirier has shifted his focus to big-money fights.

“I think he just wants to make money,” Makhachev said in an interview with Red Corner MMA. “He knows he’s not going to be champion no more. That’s why he’s thinking about money now. He just wants to choose weight where he can make more money. This is my opinion.”

Makhachev meets Beneil Dariush in the main event of UFC Fight Night 202 on Feb. 26 in a pivotal top contenders clash. Oliveira puts his title on the line against Justin Gaethje at UFC 274 in May and if all goes to plan for Makhachev, he expects to challenge Oliveira by the end of the year.

“Charles Oliveira – he’s champion now and he showed good skills last two fights,” Makhachev said. “That’s why I think end of this year, we’re going to meet him in Abu Dhabi.”