Dustin Poirier Meets Rising Star Magomed Zaynukov

Dagestan is known for producing top fighters, and Magomed Zaynukov is the latest to catch attention. He is part of a new group of fighters gaining recognition in the sport. At UFC 322, Dustin Poirier, a retired MMA legend, met Zaynukov backstage. Poirier has had a long and successful career, with many big wins and championship fights. His last fight was against Max Holloway at UFC 318, where he put on a great show before retiring. Since then, he has been focusing on family, business, and enjoying life outside the octagon. Even though Poirier is retired, he still loves the sport and stays involved. He was backstage at UFC 322, where he met Zaynukov, who was there to support Islam Makhachev for his welterweight debut. Poirier joked around with Zaynukov, even trying a playful D’Arce choke on him. This choke is the same one Makhachev used to defeat Poirier at UFC 302. The moment showed Poirier’s humor and comfort even after retiring. Zaynukov has been making a name for himself with strong performances. He has a background in Muay Thai and kickboxing, which shows in his fighting style. Recently, he earned a UFC contract after a dominant win on Dana White’s Contender Series. Training with Makhachev’s team has also helped him gain more attention. As Zaynukov grows in the sport, people have noticed similarities between his striking and Poirier’s style. Poirier was known for his tough fights, powerful boxing, and exciting exchanges. Zaynukov’s early fights suggest he could bring similar excitement to the octagon. Poirier and Makhachev fought at UFC 302 in a tough five-round title fight. Poirier fought hard but was eventually submitted in the final round. Despite the intense match, both fighters respect each other. Now, as Makhachev prepares for his welterweight debut against Jack Della Maddalena, Poirier has shared his insights. He believes Della Maddalena’s striking and takedown defense will be key in the fight. Poirier also shared how Makhachev’s grappling affected his own striking during their fight.