Poirier defeats Grispi!!

Dustin "Diamond" Poirier started off 2011 by defeating the #1 featherweight contender in the UFC Josh "The Fluke" Grispi by unanimous decision. Dustin dominated the action from beginning to end. He took the center of the octagon and began the round with a couple of inside leg kicks, then started to let his hands go. Grispi clinched up and Poirier pushed him to the cage. Grispi jumped to guard breifly, Dustin secured the muay thai plum and landed a couple of knees to Grispi's head. Both men started throwing punches as they separated with Poirier landing some hard shots that forced Grispi to go for a takedown. Poirier defended the takedown attempt and got back to his feet. He knocked down his opponent with a hard front kick to the body and let Grispi get up. Then Poirier unleashed a barrage of punches that had Grispi in a lot of trouble. Grispi again tried to get the fight to the ground and locked up a kimura attempt that Poirier defended as the first round ended.
The second round began with Dustin landing a knee to the body as Grispi shot in for a takedown. Poirier shucked off the takedown attempt and they cliched against the cage. Then Poirier landed a nice elbow that made Grispi disengage, but Poirier followed up with an uppercut and landed several hard punches. Grispi again goes for the takedown and momentarily had mount, but Poirier reversed the position ending up on top with a little ground and pound before letting Grispi back up. The men clinched up against the cage with Poirier securing the thai plum and landing some good knees to the head that made Grispi look to get the fight to the ground, but Poirier ended up on top in the guard. Grispi slapped on a triangle choke attempt that Poirier slipped out of and followed up with a couple of hard punches before letting Grispi back to his feet. Grispi tried to clinch up again, but Poirier got the thai plum and ended the second round unloading knees, elbows, and punches.
The first half of the third round was more of the same with Poirier getting the thai clinch against the cage and landing knees to Grispi's head. Then Grispi gets the fight to the ground and got top position, but Poirier wrapped him up, defended Grispi's positional advances, and avoided punishment as the round ended.

All three judges scored the bout 30-27 in favor of the Lafayette native!!

War Poirier!!!

Post fight interview:http://www.ufc.com/media/125-grispi-poirier-winner

Poirier fight to be aired on the ION Network

The UFC announced that three of the preliminary fights of UFC 125 will be aired on the ION Network. The Phil Baroni vs Brad Tavares, Dustin Poirier vs Josh Grispi, and the Jeremy Stephens vs Marcus Davis bouts will be aired beginning at 8:00 pm CT.

http://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-125-prelims-live-on-ion

 To find ION in your local area:  http://www.iontelevision.com/

In part deux of this exclusive interview, Dustin tells bloodycajunmma.com how it feels to be participating in the first UFC to include featherweights, tell us what he's expecting from #1 contender Josh Grispi, and how he's approaching this fight as the ultimate Christmas present.

Dustin Poirier Pre-UFC 125 Interview Pt. 1

In part 1 of this exclusive interview Dustin gives bloodycajunmma.com his thoughts on his performance at WEC 52 against Zack Micklewright, how his WEC experience has prepared him for the UFC, and tells us how his first weight cut down to featherweight is going.

Poirier replaces Aldo at UFC 125

Dustin "Diamond" Poirier (8-1) will step up to replace newly crowned UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo at UFC 125. His opponent is the very dangerous finisher and #1 featherweight contender Josh "The Fluke" Grispi (14-1). Who has only lost once in his career, has finished all but one opponent, and has won in just about everywhich way possible: TKO by punches, KO headkick, Armbar, Rear Naked Choke, Triangle Choke, and Guillotine Choke. He has finished all but one opponent in the first round and is on a 10-fight winning streak.

Poirier suffered his first loss to Danny Castillo by unanimous decision at WEC 50, but bounced back by defeating Zach Micklewright by TKO with punches in just 53 seconds at WEC 52. This exciting bout is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas on Jan 1 at UFC 125.

http://mmaweekly.com/dustin-poirier-steps-in-to-face-josh-grispi-at-ufc-125