No. 12-ranked lightweight contender Dustin Poirier (19-4) and Joe Duffy (14-2) were initially slated to mix it up in Dublin, Ireland, but a fight-week concussion postponed the bout until UFC 195 on Saturday.
It was well worth the wait.
The UFC kept the fight on its digital streaming service UFC Fight Pass, and those who did not subscribe missed out on a fantastic lightweight scrap.
Poirier swept the scorecards for a unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27).
Dustin Poirier 30-27 but that score doesn't tell the story of the fight. What a war #UFC195
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) January 3, 2016
Duffy and Poirier went straight to work in the first frame. Duffy kept his hands low and cracked Poirier with his boxing. Poirier struggled to identify the angles the punches were coming from, but he found plenty of offense of his own.
The Irishman hurt Poirier in the stand-up, but the latter survived and rebounded later in the round. Poirier took Duffy down and scored with an elbow that landed flush. It was a closely contested first round of action.
Both men were bloodied at the start of the second frame.
Poirier was quicker with his takedown in the second and kept top position while scoring with his ground-and-pound. Duffy was active off his back, but lacing up a submission became increasingly difficult with the volume of blood that accumulated throughout the five minutes.
The No. 12-ranked contender had a dominant final minute in the second. When the horn sounded, Duffy smiled at Poirier, and the two warriors gave each other props before heading back to their corners between rounds.
Despite the blood this round was all Poirier. Duffy's face looks like a cheap steak now as well. Elbows have been big weapon for the Diamond
— Bleacher Report MMA (@BR_MMA) January 3, 2016
At the start of the third, Duffy’s left eye wore the damage dished out by Poirier.
Poirier went right back to what had given him the most success—the ground game. He completed another successful takedown one minute into the final round. Duffy struggled to deal with Poirier’s top game but nearly swept him into a kneebar. Duffy continued to attack with a heel hook, but the American was patient and escaped.
Despite fun ground work from both men, the referee stood them up with about one minute remaining in the fight. Duffy started to have success with his boxing, but then Poirier dragged him right back down to the canvas. Duffy threw up a triangle and got it in the remaining seconds, but Poirier rode out the clock.
The downside to this fight was that it was scheduled for three rounds in Las Vegas instead of five in Dublin. We can only imagine what would have happened if this fight was allowed to continue for another 10 minutes.
What’s next for these two?
My face hurts!! pic.twitter.com/aDgV4LLu42
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) January 3, 2016
I’d legit be interested in Poirier/McGregor 2 at 155.
— Brent Brookhouse (@brentbrookhouse) January 3, 2016
The possible Conor McGregor rematch is completely off the table now—for Duffy that is. Poirier could still have the featherweight champion in the cross hairs should the bombastic superstar come to lightweight in 2016. Duffy won’t drop too far in the rankings given the excitement of the fight, but he won’t meet a ranked opponent in his next outing.
Poirier proved to any remaining doubters that he belongs among the upper echelon of the 155-pound division.
It’s difficult to say who Poirier will fight next, given the uncertainty of the title picture. If McGregor wants the shot at the title, then he'll get it, but if he stays at 145 pounds, both Tony Ferguson and the winner of Anthony Pettis vs. Eddie Alvarez are logical choices for Poirier. Someone will be left out, and that someone would be a great opponent for him.
Other names who make sense are Nate Diaz and Edson Barboza. All would be thrilling fights, but the entire Top 10 picture is murky until the champion Rafael dos Anjos has a fight.
Until then, we can just be happy we witnessed a stellar battle between two top-level fighters who gave it their all. Fans can’t ask for anything more.
