Dustin Poirier waited two years for another hit at the UFC lightweight championship.
However, after a bitter defeat in which he was knocked down in the third round by champion Charles Oliveira, his first act was not for bitterness, but for sportsmanship. Speaking to Oliveira through an interpreter, Poirier told the Sao Paulo, Brazil native that he wanted to contribute to a charity of Oliveira’s choice.
THAN: Julianna Pena beat Amanda Nunes to win women’s bantamweight belt in co-main event UFC 269
“I want to donate $20,000 to his hometown where he goes from there to where he chooses. You choose where the money goes,” Poirier said during the post-fight Octagon.
UFC 269 RESULTS: Pena stuns Nunes, Oliveira retains title against Poirier
Poirier entered the fight as a favorite to neutralize Oliveira, who was defending her first title since beating Michael Chandler for the vacant lightweight belt. The markets favor the experience of Poirier, who has fought Conor McGregor twice as well as Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker. Poirier’s previous title fight was against Nurmagomedov on September 7, 2019, in a unification match after Poirier won the interim belt from Max Holloway in April of that year.
Poirier seemed to have the advantage after a controversial first round with the challenger’s heavy hitter style, but as the two began to struggle in the second round, Oliveira began to gain the advantage. He took advantage of his position overhead to elbow Poirier and gain momentum in the fight.
THAN: How much will Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier make from UFC 269?
In the third round, Oliveira turned right around, hopping onto Poirier’s back and quickly placing him in a bare pad in the back. Just 1:02 into the round, Poirier took the lead, extending Oliveira’s UFC submissions record to 15 and helping him defend his first title.
“I’m the world champion,” Oliveira said through an interpreter after the game. “I’m a man. They talk. I do it.”
