That’s the drug, isn’t it? All the work, all the sacrifice, all the blood, sweat, and tears, can all be justified with a win.
In 35 professional fights, Poirier has felt that joy 28 times. Some were bigger than others, but for those few seconds of victory, they all felt glorious. None would be more important than getting one this Saturday, though. Because while Poirier once held the interim title at 155 pounds, it wasn’t the undisputed crown. And that’s the one he’s after.
UFC 269 COUNTDOWN: Oliveira vs Poirier | Nunes vs Peña | Full Episode
“I’m definitely proud of the interim title, but if I got injured and could never fight again or if I decided to stop fighting one day without that accolade of being the undisputed world champion, it doesn’t feel complete to me,” he said. “I’ll be 50 years old, sitting back, thinking about the interim title, but thinking about not being the undisputed world champion. I’m very proud of that moment, but that was just a piece of it.”
He wants the whole thing. And he always has. So this weekend, it’s a chance to make a career-long dream a reality.
“For me, it’s to be the undisputed world champion, to put a candle on this journey, this cake,” he said.
Sounds like someone who may just get his belt and walk away.
“We’ll see, I don’t know,” Poirier admits. “The goal is to be a world champion and I’ll see what happens after that. It’s tough to look that far ahead.”
Poirier has been around this sport long enough to know what happens to those who don’t focus on what’s ahead of him. So even though he is looking a little past December 11th, it’s not what you think.
“I don’t look past fights or to other matchups or anything like that,” he said. “I’m definitely excited to fight before Christmas and be back home with my daughter and my wife. My daughter can celebrate Christmas with the family, and I appreciate that. Over the years there’s been so many holidays missed, but it’s gonna be nice to spend Christmas back home as the undisputed world champion with my family.”
