After losing to Charles Oliveira at UFC 269 in 2022, Dustin Poirier made a generous $20,000 charity donation pledge to a cause chosen by Oliveira, highlighting his commitment to philanthropy. This act reflects Poirier’s ongoing dedication to using his platform for positive impact, underlined by the well-known efforts of his Good Fight Foundation.
History of Charitable Acts in Poirier’s Career
Poirier has a history of accepting donations and contributions from adversaries to support his charitable work. Notably, after his title fight at UFC 236, Max Holloway donated his fight gloves to Poirier’s foundation. Similarly, Khabib Nurmagomedov auctioned his fight kit from UFC 242 for the same cause. These exchanges underscore Poirier’s respect within the MMA community and his consistent efforts to give back.
Upcoming Fights and Future Plans for Poirier and Oliveira
Dustin Poirier is preparing for the final fight of his UFC career, facing Max Holloway once again in the main event of UFC 318. This bout, set to take place in Poirier’s home state of Louisiana, will be for the prestigious BMF belt. Meanwhile, Charles Oliveira is scheduled to compete against Ilia Topuria for the vacant lightweight championship at UFC 317 in Las Vegas.
Poirier’s Perspective on Oliveira vs. Topuria Title Match
Leading up to UFC 317, Poirier shared his thoughts on the lightweight title clash between Oliveira and Topuria. He highlighted Topuria’s knockout power and Oliveira’s vulnerability to heavy strikes while acknowledging the size difference favoring Oliveira. Despite Oliveira’s grappling skills, Poirier expressed confidence in Topuria’s ability to prevail.
“I think Ilia man. I think he’s going to be way undersized against Charles. I just don’t see, unless Charles can sub him, maybe if [Oliveira] hurts him but it’s gonna be tough. I think cause Charles gets hit a lot, you know? Ilia puts people away. I’m excited about it.”
—Dustin Poirier, UFC Fighter
Significance of Poirier’s Commitment and Upcoming Showdowns
Dustin Poirier’s $20,000 charity donation pledge to honor Charles Oliveira after UFC 269 exemplifies the sportsmanship and mutual respect that thrives within the UFC. As Poirier approaches his final fight, this gesture also underscores the broader tradition of athletes using their influence for community support. The upcoming title fights featuring both Poirier and Oliveira promise to deliver high stakes action, with titles and legacies on the line in Louisiana and Las Vegas.