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Dustin Poirier Says the Referee Helped Charles Oliveira Win UFC 262 by Not Stopping the Fight

Dustin Poirier will fight Conor McGregor at UFC 264 as the duo is set to complete their trilogy at UFC 264 in July It is expected that the winner of that fight will take on the newly crowned lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira. ‘Do Bronx’ captured the lightweight gold after he knocked out Michael Chandler spectacularly at UFC 262.

‘The Diamond’ kept a close eye on how things unfolded during the event; he was thoroughly impressed by Oliveira’s performance. The former interim lightweight champion pointed out that Oliveira displayed a new side to his game during the fight.

I think we saw a new wrinkle to Oliveira as well. Before, if he was down, he just couldn’t rally himself back into the fight. This fight he was down, almost finished in the first, came back. So, he‘s showing he is a true champion. And this guy has paid his dues,” said Poirier.

Oliveira had to overcome adversity as he became victorious. Despite being dropped in the first round, the Brazilian displayed the heart of a true champion. He didn’t give up and turned the tide in his favor in the second round to eventually claim the UFC gold.

Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler
HOUSTON, TEXAS – MAY 15: (R-L) Charles Oliveira of Brazil punches Michael Chandler in their UFC lightweight championship bout at Toyota Center on May 15, 2021, in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC)

If the ref would’ve stopped it, it would have been a wrong call,” he added saying the fight was rightly continued when Oliveira was dropped.

That was instinct too. Because he couldn’t see what’s coming. He knew something was coming,” he added praising Oliveira’s defense in that moment.

Is Dustin Poirier vs Charles Oliveira certain to happen in the future?

Poirier is certain to fight for the title next given he beats McGregor in July. However, even if he doesn’t win against ‘The Notorious‘, we might see a fight between him and Oliveira happen in the future as both fighters are cream of the crop in the UFC’s lightweight division.

Dustin Poirier
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 13: (L-R) UFC President Dana White places the interim lightweight championship belt on Dustin Poirier after defeating Max Holloway in their interim lightweight championship bout during the UFC 236 event at State Farm Arena on April 13, 2019, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Both fighters have a similar sort of stand-up game. And Poirier is no walkover if the fight hits the ground. So, this is a barn-burner for the fans. One can only expect the UFC to book a fight between the duo at some point in the near future.

Also Read: ‘All or Nothing!’- Dustin Poirier Hypes Up UFC’s New Poster for Conor McGregor Trilogy

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