Dustin Poirier returns to lightweight, scores TKO over Diego Ferreira
Dustin Poirier's return to the lightweight division was a rousing success Saturday, in Fairfax as he scored a first round TKO over Diego Ferreira.
Both men fought aggressively from the start, letting punches and kicks rip. Eventually, Poirier began to find his mark with his hands in close exchanges, however, and hurt the Brazilian.
Several straight lefts and short hooks damaged and dropped Ferreira. The grappling specialist had never before been finished in a fight but "The Diamond" continued his onslaught on the ground with strikes and forced the referee to call a stop to the fight.
The end came at 3:45 of the very first round. The win improves Poirier's record to 17-4, and drops Ferreira's to 11-2.
Afterwards, an overjoyed Poirier said that it felt good to have his hand raised again and to be fighting at a more natural weight. "I was cutting a lot to make 145," he said.
"It was nice to be able to eat during training camp."
The game plan was for Poirier to patiently use all of his skills and not chase his opponent. "Tonight, I wanted to slow things down," he explained.
Dustin Poirier punches Diego Ferreira in their lightweight fight
"Use my jab, use my footwork, make him make mistakes. Just be a professional fighter."
As satisfying as another win was for Poirier, he has plans for more, starting with a bout in his home town of New Orleans in June. "It gets better than this, you'll see," he said. "It gets better than this."
Poirier also revealed that UFC matchmaker Joe Silva told him immediately after the win that he'd have a spot on the June 6 card in New Orleans if he wants it. He does.
"Seems like I got it," the fighter said.
"[Silva] said he'll save me a spot. New Orleans, I'm coming home, baby!"
