5 toughest fights for UFC superstar Dustin Poirier if he moves up to welterweight

UFC 236 Holloway v Poirier 2
UFC 236 Holloway v Poirier 2

#4 UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal

UFC 244 Masvidal v Diaz
UFC 244 Masvidal v Diaz

Dustin Poirier would probably never fight his American Top Team teammate Jorge Masvidal. If the two men did square off in the octagon, though, fireworks would be guaranteed.

Poirier and Masvidal are two of the best boxers in the UFC, with exceptional combinations complemented by power and accuracy. Both have rarely been outboxed in the UFC, and most of their losses have come by other methods.

Can Poirier push the relentless pace he usually does against Masvidal? Can he rattle 'Gamebred', who has one of the best chins in the UFC and can take a clean shot or two? Masvidal certainly wouldn't falter despite Poirier's pressure, and a straight boxing match could go either way in all honesty.


#3 Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson

UFC 264: Poirier v McGregor 3
UFC 264: Poirier v McGregor 3

One of the most unique fighters in the UFC, Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson has proved to be an unsolvable puzzle. A master of karate and kickboxing, he has used his kicks, understanding of range and angles to outpoint some of the best in the business.

Dustin Poirier is a talented striker in his own right, but he may run into an entirely different challenge in Thompson. He will have to somehow close the distance, which is something very few people have been able to do against 'Wonderboy'. Thompson also has excellent takedown defense, even if it didn't hold up against Gilbert Burns, and would probably be able to keep a potential fight against Poirier standing.

Poirier isn't the kind of fighter who can engage from a distance. He prefers to trade away in the pocket, where he can use his killer instincts and combos to wreak havoc. 'Wonderboy' could be the perfect antithesis to his style.

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