Yahoo Sports Dana White: Dustin Poirier’s knockout of Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299 ‘the sh*t that makes you a f*cking legend’
MIAMI – Dana White had high praise towards Dustin Poirier after UFC 299.
Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) knocked out surging lightweight contender Benoit Saint Denis (13-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in Saturday’s co-main event at Kaseya Center.
Many were surprised to see former interim champion Poirier accepting a fight against lower-ranked Saint Denis, which is why White respects “The Diamond” that much more.
“The fight that he took tonight with Benoit, I mean, when the talk first started, everybody was like, ‘Oh, this is a bad fight for Poirier,'” White said during the UFC 299 post-fight news conference. “Then Poirier came out and said, ‘You know what, I didn’t sign’ and all this – this is the sh*t that makes you a f*cking legend. These are legendary fights – when you go in and face a guy who’s a savage and looks like you can’t win this fight or people think you can’t win this fight, and then you go in and do it in spectacular fashion the way that he did tonight.
“A lot of these fighters, you’ve heard it many times in the past, ‘They want me to lose,’ or ‘They’re trying to make me lose.’ I heard some nutty sh*t the other day from somebody that I won’t even mention, but we don’t determine whether you lose or whether you win – you do. What we try to do is put on the best match-made fights that we can possibly do. That’s why big stars are built in the UFC and legendary fights happen every weekend. … His stock again goes through the roof.”
With the win, Poirier may have positioned himself for another title shot. UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz told Poirier prior to the fight that he could be next with a win, and Makhachev and Poirier are both on board.
Do we have a UFC lightweight title fight for June? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ms9bHMQu6u
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 11, 2024
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 299.
UFC 299 - Benoit Saint Denis media day interview
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Dustin Poirier - ufc 299 media day interview
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UFC 299 - Benoit Saint Denis Pre-Fight press conference
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UFC 299 - Dustin Poirier Pre-Fight press conference
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Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint Denis
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Dustin Poirier Benoit Saint Denis UFC 299 faceoff
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UFC 299 Ceremonial Weigh-in
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 08: (L-R) Opponents Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint Denis of France face…
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 08: (L-R) Opponents Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint Denis of France face off during the UFC 299 ceremonial weigh-in at Kaseya Center on March 08, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis before his fight with Dustin Poirier during…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis before his fight with Dustin Poirier during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer introduces Benoit Saint Denis and…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer introduces Benoit Saint Denis and Dustin Poirier before their fight during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 1
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Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 3
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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UFC 299: O'Malley v Vera 2
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Dustin Poirier fights Benoit Saint Denis of France during their lightweight…
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Dustin Poirier fights Benoit Saint Denis of France during their lightweight bout at UFC 299 at Kaseya Center on March 09, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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UFC 299: O'Malley v Vera 2
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Dustin Poirier fights Benoit Saint Denis of France during their lightweight…
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Dustin Poirier fights Benoit Saint Denis of France during their lightweight bout at UFC 299 at Kaseya Center on March 09, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 4
Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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UFC 299: O'Malley v Vera 2
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Dustin Poirier fights Benoit Saint Denis of France during their lightweight…
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Dustin Poirier fights Benoit Saint Denis of France during their lightweight bout at UFC 299 at Kaseya Center on March 09, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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UFC 299: O'Malley v Vera 2
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Benoit Saint Denis of France fights Dustin Poirier during their lightweight…
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Benoit Saint Denis of France fights Dustin Poirier during their lightweight bout at UFC 299 at Kaseya Center on March 09, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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UFC 299: O'Malley v Vera 2
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Benoit Saint Denis of France fights Dustin Poirier during their lightweight…
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 09: Benoit Saint Denis of France fights Dustin Poirier during their lightweight bout at UFC 299 at Kaseya Center on March 09, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dustin Poirier reacts after knocking out Benoit Saint Denis during…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dustin Poirier reacts after knocking out Benoit Saint Denis during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dustin Poirier reacts after knocking out Benoit Saint Denis during…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dustin Poirier reacts after knocking out Benoit Saint Denis during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis is checked by medical staff members after…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis is checked by medical staff members after his loss to Dustin Poirier during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves)…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis (blue gloves) fights Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis is checked by medical staff members after…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis is checked by medical staff members after his loss to Dustin Poirier during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dustin Poirier reacts after knocking out Benoit Saint Denis during…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Dustin Poirier reacts after knocking out Benoit Saint Denis during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 299- Saint Denis vs Poirier
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis is checked by medical staff members after…
Mar 9, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Benoit Saint Denis is checked by medical staff members after his loss to Dustin Poirier during UFC 299 at Kayesa Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 2
Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299
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Dustin Poirier - ufc 299 post-fight interview
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Dustin Poirier - ufc 299 post-fight interview 1
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Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis, UFC 299 Scorecard
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