Chael Sonnen believes Dustin Poirier can leap into title fights like Conor McGregor and other UFC stars

Chael Sonnen believes Dustin Poirier now has the status to immediately jump into the title fights, similar to Conor McGregor and other stars in the sport. 'The Diamond' last fought in the octagon at UFC 302 when he came up short against Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title.

Following the defeat and yet another missed chance to capture the 155-pound belt, Poirier has been considering his retirement from the sport. The 35-year-old has had a stellar career, fighting 31 times in the UFC and becoming one of the promotion's biggest stars.

In recent weeks, however, Poirier appears to have reconsidered his future and is now gearing up to fight once again. Whilst it may seem to a majority of fans and Poirier himself that his dream of being an undisputed champion is over, however, one person who isn't yet convinced is Chael Sonnen.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Good Guy / Bad Guy show, Sonnen believes Dustin Poirier is of the status that he's always in the title picture. He said:

"Sometimes you get a fighter who has done everything there is to do, but he still wants a big fight. That's a hard recipe. If you're not in a title fight or contender fight, how can it be big? There is a way. If your last name is Diaz, if your name is Conor McGregor or Masvidal, it can be big. I think Poirier is living on that same island. I think with the right opponent, you can shine that thing up."

Catch Chael Sonnen's comments here (7:35):

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Dustin Poirier reacts to near encounter with Conor McGregor

Dustin Poirier has revealed that if his and Conor McGregor's eyes met during a recent close encounter, it would have been a fight on sight scenario.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani on his new self-titled show, the host asked 'The Diamond' about a recent close run-in with the Irishman. The pair were both spotted at a recent event in Las Vegas, however, despite being mere feet away from each other, the pair never caught a glimpse of one another.

Discussing the near encounter with his rival, Poirier told Helwani that if they had locked eyes, it would have turned into a brawl. He said:

"Conor was behind me, apparently, and my agent was walking behind me and he grabs me. So Conor might've saw the back of my head...You ever watch Family Guy? You know when Peter and the chicken run into each other? They freaking go on this crazy fight, they're falling down hills, they're fighting for an hour. That's what would have happened."

Check out Dustin Poirier's comments regarding Conor McGregor here: