Former UFC Champion Michael Bisping Believes Dustin Poirier Didn’t Make the ‘Smartest Move’ In Accepting a Colby Covington Fight
The MMA world has reacted to UFC lightweight star Dustin Poirier finally accepting the long-standing challenge put forward by former teammate turned rival Colby Covington. The reactions to his decision are varied, to say the least, since the step-up in weight coupled with the stylistic challenges Covington poses are significant.
However, some believe this could be the step Dustin Poirier needs to take in order to launch himself into the mainstream eye. Going up to 170-pounds and decisively vanquishing one of the most polarising fighters in the UFC would be a major step in the right direction for Dustin Poirier.
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping spoke out on the matter and weighed the pros and cons of Poirier’s decision.
Michael Bisping doesn’t mince his words
According to Michael Bisping, facing Colby Covington at welterweight isn’t the ‘smartest move’ for the former interim lightweight champion. Covington’s status as a top contender makes him extremely dangerous in the eyes of Bisping, who believes size will play a big factor in the fight.
‘The Count’ put forth his opinion after weighing the benefit Dustin Poirier will experience by not depleting himself to the lightweight limit.
“Going up a weight division, going up against Colby Covington, if he loses that, that could have real implications on him getting a title fight again,” Bisping said. “he wants to be active. He wants to keep earning.”
“He wants to keep fighting, wants to keep making money and setting himself up for the future, which I get, but going up to 170, putting on 15 pounds – well, I say putting on 15 pounds. Not cutting that 15 pounds, but sure enough, fighting at a weight class 15 pounds heavier against one of the top contenders. Whilst me as a fan, I would love to see that, but I don’t know if it’s the smartest move.”[h/t bjpenn.com]
His trash-talk aside, Colby Covington has proven himself to be a ferocious contender who has defeated a plethora of top welterweights. Only the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world has been able to push him back and this means it’s sure to be a tall task for Poirier, who is coming off a loss in his last fight.
