- 27/07/2023
Dustin Poirier previews his UFC 291 Rematch with Justin Gaethje
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00:00 [ Background noise ]
00:07 >> All right.
00:07 Good afternoon, everybody.
00:08 My name-- for those of you that don't know me, my name is Jeff Nowitzki.
00:11 I-- for the UFC, I oversee our anti-doping program,
00:15 independently administered by USADA.
00:17 It's widely recognized as the most comprehensive in professional sport.
00:21 A few years ago, we looked at the program and said it's unfortunate that the news that comes
00:27 out of anti-doping is generally bad news.
00:29 It's usually when an athlete test positive.
00:32 But if you look at our program, we're approaching now 30,000 individual tests
00:36 and with a positive percentage rate of less than 1%.
00:40 And we said to ourselves, that's the news that we need to get out there, the positive news
00:44 because it's overwhelmingly positive.
00:46 So we started giving recognition and presentations like this
00:49 for athletes that reached milestones, 25 clean tests, 50 clean tests, they get a jacket.
00:56 And today with Dustin Poirier, 75 clean tests.
00:59 I was talking to Dustin earlier.
01:01 He has now overtaken of active UFC fighters the most successful tests.
01:06 Since Amanda Nunes retired, she was ahead of him and now it's Dustin Poirier in the lead.
01:11 And I usually tell a quick story to personalize these presentations
01:14 and Dustin's is the best story that I have, bar none.
01:17 I told this story when he got his 50 jacket but it was in the locker room kind
01:22 of in front of family and friends.
01:24 But Dustin had just defeated Conor McGregor.
01:27 It was the night of the fight.
01:28 I was home in Las Vegas and my phone rings and I look and it's Dustin Poirier and I say,
01:33 "It's four hours after he just beat Conor.
01:36 It must be a butt dial or something."
01:38 So pick it up and, "Hey Dustin, what's up?"
01:41 He goes, "Hey Jeff."
01:41 He goes, "You saw I collected a sample from me today at the fight and I forgot
01:45 to declare one supplement I was using."
01:47 Completely benign supplement.
01:50 I think it was tested and certified.
01:52 But that's the level of attention and care and detail that this guy, you know,
01:56 makes to be successful under this program.
01:58 The biggest win of his career, one of the biggest wins in the history of the UFC
02:02 and he's calling me four hours later to report one single supplement that he forgot to declare.
02:07 So Dustin, man, we appreciate it so much.
02:10 That's why you're at the top of the list, that attention to detail.
02:13 And I'm sure, I'm positive it has a lot to do with why you're successful
02:17 as an athlete overall, that attention to detail.
02:19 It's much appreciated within the UFC.
02:22 So your 75 pin here.
02:24 >> Put on jacket.
02:27 There you go, my man.
02:29 Appreciate it.
02:30 Thank you for everything you do, buddy.
02:32 Appreciate you guys.
02:33 >> Dustin, there's a lot to talk about with the fight,
02:47 but I did want to ask you just about this moment.
02:49 I mean, does that, what does that mean to you to be not only at the top
02:52 of the sport, but I'm also, you know, at the top of the list of clean tests?
02:55 >> I mean, it's a cool, it's cool to have, you know, it's cool to set an example, I guess.
03:00 You know, I've never done any performance enhancing drugs in my life.
03:03 And lucky for me, like coming up earlier in the gyms I was in as a young fighter,
03:08 it wasn't around me, so I never got introduced to that type of stuff.
03:10 So it was never a part of my, you know, surroundings.
03:14 And it's all good.
03:16 It's cool to be recognized for not doing steroids.
03:18 >> All right.
03:20 Now let's talk about the fight.
03:22 I mean, I don't even know how many years it's been nothing
03:24 but big fight after big fight after big fight.
03:26 Is there still, I know you say you do this because you get that excitement,
03:29 you get that fear, but like fight week, is there still that nerves?
03:31 Is there still that excitement?
03:33 Or at this point, is this, this is just who I am and what I do?
03:35 >> A little bit of both.
03:37 This is who I am and what I do.
03:38 I mean, walking this walk, coming here, talking to you guys, checking in with the UFC.
03:42 This might be like the 30th time I've done it.
03:45 And it's just part of the process.
03:48 It feels normal to me.
03:49 But what never goes away is those feelings and that anxiety all week, prepping, you know,
03:55 thinking about the fight when I lay down at night.
03:56 That never goes away.
03:57 That's always there, man.
03:58 >> Yeah. I've heard you say a few times lately, like, I don't have to fight anymore.
04:01 Like, my family's good.
04:02 Knowing that, has the family ever said, hey, Dustin, you know,
04:04 you don't have to fight anymore.
04:05 Could you please not?
04:06 >> Yeah. My mom told me that after the second fight in Abu Dhabi.
04:12 She was like, I think it's enough, you know.
04:14 You've done it enough.
04:16 But, no, this is what I do, man.
04:17 >> Yeah, no doubt.
04:18 Talking about prepping for this fight, like I said, it's been nothing but big fights, right?
04:21 But a fight that you know is going to be a battle, that you had before and was a battle, right?
04:26 I mean, is there a different mentality or a different approach knowing, like, you know,
04:29 I'm probably not going to get out of there and get out in five minutes.
04:32 It's going to be a battle.
04:33 >> Yeah. You know, when they called me, because we were talking about doing this fight, you know,
04:38 a few months ago when they first called me and started talking
04:40 about Justin potentially being the opponent.
04:44 My, you know, those butterflies, that anxiety that hit me right away.
04:47 And I was like, we got to do this, you know, this is the one.
04:49 And it was five years ago I beat him.
04:51 He's done great things.
04:52 I've done great things.
04:53 And we were just on a collision course, it seemed, to do it again.
04:56 Number two, number three.
04:57 Number one's fighting the champ.
04:59 So it just makes sense, I think, in the division as well.
05:02 >> Would be a huge fight without a title on it regardless because of who you guys are.
05:06 But the BMF title, like, that was thrown on kind of last minute.
05:09 Like, when we first started talking about the fight, that wasn't brought up.
05:11 >> Yeah. Is that fun at all?
05:12 I mean, did you care?
05:13 I mean, what does that mean to you?
05:14 >> It's cool.
05:15 You know, it's cool.
05:16 It's a legacy fight.
05:17 That's what my wife told me.
05:17 She said this about legacy.
05:18 Put this BMF belt up on my mantle, you know.
05:21 When I'm gone from the sport, I can talk back about, you know, the second BMF
05:27 and UFC history fight, and it's just, it's history, it's legacy, it's fun.
05:31 But even to have your name in the hat to be considered for a fight
05:35 like this is a special thing, you know.
05:37 >> Last thing for me, I mean, I think at this point in your career,
05:40 it doesn't really matter what stakes you're fighting for.
05:42 People are going to want to tune in and watch you fight, right?
05:44 But that in mind, I mean, that title, like, is that still what's top of mind?
05:48 And are you viewing this as, hey, number one contender fight,
05:50 I fight the winner of October?
05:51 >> Yeah, I haven't been told directly that the winner is fighting for the belt,
05:54 but I assume that, but, you know, I say this every time I sit up here in front
05:58 of you guys, I don't want to look forward that far, because Saturday needs to happen.
06:03 And, you know, it's a crazy thing we do, but the plan is to get my hand raised,
06:07 and then when the smoke clears, we'll assess the next fight and where the division's at
06:10 and what happens in Abu Dhabi and all, you know, it's just so much things that need to happen
06:13 and that are going on that is just noise until Saturday happens.
06:17 So I'm fully focused on 25 minutes with Justin, and it's wartime, man.
06:21 >> Dustin, when you left the arena last time after fighting Justin, did part of you think,
06:26 I'm going to have to fight this guy again, that fight was too good,
06:28 and the fans are going to want to see it?
06:29 >> No, it didn't.
06:32 I actually sat next to Justin at one of the pay-per-views in Vegas, and we were, you know,
06:36 talking, chopping it up, and I told him, I was like, dude, I don't want to do that again.
06:39 You know, I told him that, I said, I don't want to do that again,
06:41 and here we are about to throw hands.
06:43 But honestly, throughout the five years since the first fight, I didn't see it coming.
06:49 >> Yeah. You mentioned those pre-fight anxieties, right, in fight week.
06:52 That's always going to be there, but knowing what you went through the last time
06:55 and knowing what's waiting for you on Saturday, is it almost worse?
06:59 Is this fight week like, oh, God, okay, Saturday is really going to be a rough one,
07:02 or are you just, hey, it's a fight, I get in there, I do what I do?
07:06 >> Both. Like, I trust myself to make a way through the roughness,
07:10 but it's going to get rough, you know.
07:12 Like I said before, adversity will present itself in this fight, but I trust myself
07:16 to get off the stool, keep myself safe, find the openings, you know, pick my shots.
07:22 I've matured a lot in this sport, and I think you're going to see it Saturday.
07:26 >> This time we're a bit higher up in the air.
07:28 Did you do anything special to prepare for the elevation?
07:30 >> I had a company called Higher Peak Altitude Training come in and send me a tent
07:35 and a machine that you can sleep at altitude.
07:37 So I did the last two weeks at 5,000 feet in South Florida and came out here Friday morning.
07:43 In my house I'm at here is an Airbnb.
07:44 It's like 5,100 feet, so I'm about 1,000 feet or so above where we're going to fight,
07:49 and I hope that's enough, but I don't get tired, man.
07:51 5,000 feet ain't enough.
07:53 >> Thank you.
07:53 >> Justin.
07:54 >> All right.
07:55 Is there, I asked Dustin this too, because he's only had one rematch in his entire career.
07:59 You've had a few, and you've won them all.
08:01 Is there any difference in preparation, not specifically for Justin,
08:04 but just rematches in general leading into a fight compared
08:07 to when you're fighting a fresh face?
08:09 >> It depends how long, this is my opinion, obviously,
08:11 but it depends how long they are between each other.
08:14 Me and Justin fought five years ago, so this is a, I'm winning about this like it's a new fight.
08:19 You know, I'm not going to break down the footage and dwell on that too much,
08:22 because we both changed so much and had our successes and our losses and, you know,
08:28 changed things and just got better in the sport.
08:30 We didn't waste five years.
08:30 We're both better fighters now.
08:33 Other fights, like the Eddie Alvarez fight, was a lot closer together.
08:38 So, we did go back and watch a lot of things he did.
08:40 The Max Holloway fight was a long time between as well.
08:44 So, I try to look at it as a brand new fight.
08:46 >> Earlier today, Justin was on, I think it was like part of the interruption or something
08:49 like that, and he said that he knows you're ready and he's ready, but I think his words were,
08:53 I think our families are terrified for this rematch.
08:55 So, when you told your family, like I'm going to have to go rematch Justin Gaethje,
08:59 what did they say?
09:01 >> Well, my wife kind of knew, you know, like whenever I told her,
09:03 she kind of knew, but it's an unsaid agreement.
09:09 It's an unwritten agreement, you know.
09:10 She knows when I go into that zone and I, she knows what this is,
09:14 and especially a fight like this.
09:16 They, everyone knows, not even family.
09:18 People at home who follow the sport knows what this is, and I want to go there.
09:22 I think that's where I do my best work, and the fact that like the fans and Justin,
09:28 he doesn't like go out of his way to portray that, but he's kind of got that aura
09:31 about him now as a, you know, the chaos and the most violent and all that,
09:36 but I really am that, and he knows that.
09:38 So, let's go there.
09:39 >> We asked Justin this too, because Jorge is probably going to wrap the belt
09:42 around the winner, and he said to him that makes it a little more sweeter knowing
09:45 that he's taking it away from ATT.
09:47 Does it make it a little more sweeter knowing that you're going
09:49 to be fighting to keep it at ATT?
09:51 >> Yeah, you know, it's great to keep that title at American Top Team.
09:54 We're going to put it next to the one George brought to the gym
09:57 and keep the tradition alive, you know.
10:00 Masato's a buddy of mine, and proud of that guy.
10:04 The resurgence he had in his career, you know, from backyards to being a superstar,
10:09 one of the biggest names in the sport, you know, he showed the rest of us
10:15 that if you just stay the path, keep hustling, keep grinding, good things will happen.
10:21 >> Justin right here.
10:22 When Justin was in here earlier, he said he thinks his best chance
10:25 of winning this fight is to be more technical than the last one and more technical than you.
10:29 We know how good your boxing is and how much you embrace the technique.
10:33 Is that a mistake from him on that mindset?
10:35 Do you think he needs to turn this into more of a brawl to give himself a chance to win?
10:41 >> Yeah, I do.
10:42 You know, if he wants to technically kick box with me and grapple with me,
10:48 I think his best chances are to catch me being crazy and, you know, land on a shot.
10:52 If he tries to take his time and be methodical, I'm going to show you levels for sure.
10:57 >> Who do you think wins the fight between Islam and Charles in the rematch later this year?
11:02 >> Man, I know I'm 100% sure that Charles didn't show his true potential in that fight.
11:07 You know, I know from experience that the guy is good.
11:11 I thought he really underperformed and we've seen him do that in the past and we kind
11:14 of everyone, including myself, thought he was past that and he kind of broke through that,
11:20 not say quitting, but broke through that those times he stumbles in there
11:22 and he really found his groove.
11:23 But in that fight, he kind of looked like the old Charles.
11:25 It looked like he didn't want to be in there.
11:27 If he has his mental together, I think he'll give Islam as big
11:31 of a test as anybody ever has.
11:33 >> Is there a matchup out of those two that you would relish having more?
11:37 You know, Islam obviously the guy who's had a long winning streak here,
11:40 but then the chance at revenge against Charles.
11:43 >> Even guys who beat me, man, I've never really, even like Conor or anybody
11:47 when there's bad blood and stuff, I never really like sit back and think about the revenge.
11:52 So whoever, you know, whoever.
11:57 >> Dustin over here.
11:59 You are one of the longest tenured title contenders still in the picture.
12:03 And I'm just curious, what's kind of been the secret to your longevity
12:06 in your eyes after all these years?
12:11 >> Remaining a student, like not just showing up to do martial arts
12:16 when a fight camp gets announced or when a fight gets announced, being in the gym back home
12:20 with young fighters, helping them fight, you know, get ready for fights on the local scene,
12:25 being part of jiu-jitsu tournaments, doing jiu-jitsu, just being in gyms,
12:29 being a student of martial arts.
12:32 And even when I'm not in the gym, I'm watching fights, breaking stuff down.
12:34 I just love combat sports.
12:36 And maybe that's part of it.
12:38 >> Yeah. You got the chance to be a desk analyst for UFC 287.
12:42 What was that like?
12:43 Was there anything that kind of surprised you about being, you know,
12:45 behind the desk rather than in front of the people?
12:48 >> It was a different experience for sure.
12:49 Like I was nervous on the way there.
12:51 I was like, I don't want to blow this.
12:52 This is live TV.
12:53 There are no re-dos or edits.
12:54 But when I showed up to the arena and then saw the same people I've been dealing
12:58 with my whole career in the UFC behind the scenes, you know, I felt right at home.
13:02 >> Yeah. When it comes to these fights, you've talked a lot about leading up to this fight,
13:07 putting on the war hat and really getting into these barn burner type fights.
13:11 Did you always love those or did you have to kind of gain that attribute after years and years
13:16 of just insane fights over the course of your career?
13:19 >> I mean, like when I first started fighting, definitely didn't look forward to being
13:25 in wars, I didn't think about it, but I just embraced it over the years.
13:28 You know, so many crazy fights and find out when you're in that kind of war, you know,
13:35 the other person's going through it too.
13:36 And I just feel like I can suffer more than these guys.
13:40 >> Hey, Dustin.
13:41 There's this crazy stat and I was just wondering if you had seen it.
13:44 Both you guys, both you and Justin since your last fight have a 6-2 record.
13:49 Four finishes, two decisions, a win over Chandler, only losses are to Khabib and Charles.
13:54 Like when you hear that, like is it just kind of like destiny
13:57 that this fight was supposed to happen?
13:59 >> Yeah. That's why I said it's a collision course, you know,
14:01 when looking back at the stats.
14:02 I think we even have the same amount of letters in our name.
14:05 It's crazy.
14:07 It's the battle of the ustens, man.
14:13 >> And finally, your old pal Nate Diaz fights next weekend against Jake Paul.
14:18 How do you think he does?
14:21 >> Man, dude.
14:22 I, you know, Nate does have good boxing, but it's unorthodox and it works well for MMA,
14:30 small gloves, pity pat punches and that range.
14:34 But with boxing gloves, things are different.
14:36 Timing's different.
14:37 Range is a little bit different.
14:39 And Jake is a big, athletic young kid.
14:43 If I had to put money on it, I would put it on Jake, you know.
14:49 >> Do you think the size is going to be a big factor and, you know,
14:54 the narrative is right, if Jake doesn't knock Nate out, he's going to gas
14:58 and Nate's going to take over.
14:59 Like do you kind of think that narrative's correct?
15:02 >> For sure.
15:03 I mean, that could happen.
15:04 It definitely could happen.
15:05 I've been around both guys.
15:07 Jake is a lot bigger than Nate.
15:08 A lot more explosive.
15:12 Has the money and the amenities to put the best people around him
15:16 and really lock himself away and work on the art.
15:21 He hasn't been doing it for that long, but all it takes is one punch
15:25 from a guy like that, you know, that size.
15:27 >> Awesome.
15:27 Thanks, man.
15:29 >> Dustin, I know athletes talk about like training and coming to Utah and elevation,
15:33 but what about like the atmosphere?
15:35 Have you heard from any of the athletes that have been here already from last year
15:38 about what to expect coming to Utah or anything
15:40 that you were surprised to when you got here?
15:42 >> No, I didn't talk to anybody who fought on the previous card, but I just came out.
15:47 It feels normal, you know.
15:48 I ran -- on Sunday I ran five miles at the park here.
15:51 We've got some mountain trails behind the house we're at.
15:53 I walked those a few times.
15:54 I don't really -- you know, did a few workouts so far.
15:56 I don't really feel a whole lot different.
15:59 >> Dustin, back here.
16:03 You get back to the community quite a bit and just recently with the young boy
16:06 that survived cancer and everything, you know, what does it mean to have an impact?
16:11 >> His name's Alden.
16:12 >> Alden, thank you.
16:13 Yeah. What does it mean for you to have an impact on kids like that and be able to, you know,
16:18 continue to put out positive energy like that?
16:20 >> It's important for me, man.
16:21 Just realizing the platform I have that people are listening.
16:23 And for this particular one, he was a fan, so that was real cool.
16:29 I had sent him a video like a year and a half, two years ago when he first went in for chemo.
16:35 And then he came back around, you know, make a wish, granted his wish,
16:39 and he came out to the gym, so that was really cool.
16:42 And I'm just thankful that I'm in a spot where I can do that and I recognize I'm in a spot
16:47 that I can do that because, you know, we're all fighting for something.
16:49 And why not, you know?
16:54 You know, sometimes what I go out there and fight for is more than silver.
16:56 It's worth more than silver and gold.
16:58 You know, it's about emotions.
17:01 It's about drive.
17:03 It's about a lot of things other than just a fist fight.
17:07 >> Something you continue to do once you're done?
17:10 >> Yeah, for sure.
17:10 My foundation isn't going anywhere.
17:12 You know, we're going to continue to set goals and accomplish those goals.
17:16 And I mean, as soon as I get out of the cage, fly back to Louisiana Wednesday,
17:20 I'll be handing out backpacks and school supplies and food to families
17:24 in need in Lafayette, Louisiana.
17:25 So it doesn't stop, you know?
17:27 The good fight doesn't stop.
17:29 >> Dustin, just to go back to Nate.
17:31 I know you wanted to fight him for a long time.
17:33 He's saying that this is pretty much like a one and done for him outside the UFC.
17:37 He wants to be back.
17:38 Would you still be interested in doing that or have you moved past it?
17:41 >> Dude, like I always say, I don't look too far ahead and book myself in fights
17:45 that aren't even realistic or a possibility until other things happen.
17:48 But if he comes back, I'll beat him up.
17:52 >> And we know your record in the rematch is everything.
17:54 What's the record in the ping pong this week?
17:56 >> Man, I've been getting whipped.
17:57 My buddy's down a few thousand bucks.
18:00 He's gonna have to take a loan out when he gets home.
18:03 >> Get the hells out of the way now.
18:05 >> Yeah, yeah.
18:05 And you can get it too if you come up to the house.
18:10 >> [LAUGH] One final one for me.
18:13 Brent Allen's been asking the UFC for a UFC fight night, Louisiana.
18:17 He says you're the only other fighter that could headline ahead of him.
18:22 Do you wanna fight in Louisiana before you're done?
18:24 >> I fought whenever, last time UFC went to New Orleans.
18:28 I fought at the Smoothie King Center.
18:30 I'd love to fight there.
18:32 I fought in the Superdome when I was an amateur fighter back in 2008, maybe 2007.
18:37 Everybody knows who Rich Clemeni is, right?
18:41 He used to have a promotion and they did a big car show in the Superdome and
18:45 he partnered his promotion up with the car show.
18:47 And we set up a cage in the middle of the Superdome in all the cars and
18:51 I fought there and that was real cool.
18:52 But anytime fighting on home turf in Louisiana, I'm in.
18:56 I'd love to go back to New Orleans.
18:58 >> I just wanna ask you one quick follow up.
19:00 You're one of the biggest stars in the sport right now.
19:01 You're fighting on the biggest stages, right?
19:03 But I wonder, it just struck me, kid from Lafayette, Fightville,
19:07 to sleeping in an altitude tent that some tech company is sending to you.
19:11 Are there small moments like that where you just step back and go, man,
19:14 I never saw any of this happening?
19:15 >> Yeah, when I do look back on how, since the beginning here,
19:20 borrowing my mom's car to go to the gym and get beat up.
19:23 Waiting for my wife to get off of work so I can use her car,
19:25 riding a bicycle to the gym.
19:27 Man, that's what hard work does, though.
19:30 It pays off.
19:31 >> What was it like fighting on the Superdome?
19:35 >> It was awesome, man.
19:35 It was awesome.
19:36 It wasn't like a crazy big crowd cuz it was just a car show.
19:39 Most people were on the floor.
19:41 But it was cool cuz we got to warm up in the football locker rooms.
19:46 And it's such a big place.
19:47 To get from the locker room to the cage, we had to jump on a golf cart.
19:50 >> What was that walk like to the cage?
19:52 Cuz that's like- >> I was just telling you,
19:53 we took a golf cart.
19:54 It was so far.
19:54 >> [LAUGH]
19:56 [BLANK_AUDIO]
20:02 >> Thank you guys.
20:02 [BLANK_AUDIO]
20:12 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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