Dustin Poirier made a notable return to lightweight with an emphatic win against Hawaiian fighter Yancy Medeiros during a highly anticipated bout in Louisiana, his home state. This match marked Poirier’s first fight in Louisiana in five years, and the fans enthusiastically welcomed back their cherished fighter.
Medeiros faced an uphill battle even before the fight began, as he missed weight by 3.5 pounds, entering the Octagon as a slight underdog amidst a chorus of boos. The match kicked off with Medeiros employing his unorthodox style, trying to find his kicking range while Poirier aimed to close the gap. However, Poirier quickly demonstrated his striking prowess, knocking Medeiros down with a powerful overhand right, followed by a left hand that sent him back to the canvas.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Medeiros showed remarkable resilience by enduring two knockdowns, a takedown, a brutal body kick, and a relentless barrage of punches before the referee intervened to stop the fight. Poirier’s victory sent a clear message to the lightweight division and further solidified his decision to remain in this weight class, as he has now achieved an impressive 9-1 record in his first ten fights at lightweight. Notably, he previously captured the interim lightweight title against Max Holloway in their rematch.
This victory not only reinforces Poirier’s status as a formidable contender in the lightweight division but also showcases the excitement surrounding mixed martial arts in Louisiana. Fans can look forward to more thrilling performances from Poirier as he continues his journey in this competitive landscape.