UFC 211's Dustin Poirier: Beat former champ Eddie Alvarez, and I'm 1 win from title shot

UFC lightweight Dustin Poirier didn’t plan to fight again until mid-summer. But then the UFC called and offered him Eddie Alvarez.

Yeah, Poirier could make time.

Now the fight will take place as part of the main card for UFC 211, which takes place May 13 at American Airlines Center in Dallas following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

“A win over Eddie Alvarez would put me right there fighting for the title,” Poirier told MMAjunkie Radio.

So far, that’s an opportunity he’s never received. He fell short in key fights at featherweight, his former division. A knockout this past fall brought his first correction at lightweight. With a win over a former champ, Poirier could build some serious momentum toward his goal.

“That would put me at 6-1 in the lightweight division with a win over the former champ,” Poirier said. “It’s not like I’m a guy who just stumbled into the top 10. … I’ve been in title eliminator fights before at featherweight. I’m not a new guy to the block, and I’ve been putting in work.

“This guy was just a champion. If I go out there and put a stamp on Eddie Alvarez, I think I’m one win away.”

Before the UFC called to offer Alvarez (28-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC), Poirier (21-5 MMA, 13-4 UFC) was expecting another opponent: Michael Chiesa, who’s return from an injury layoff is imminent. But after behind-the-scenes talks, Poirier realized that matchup would not materialize.

“I was asking about Chiesa for a while, and they were kind of dancing around the fight,” he said. “… Young guys in the sport, you play the game too much like that and you get passed over. He could’ve had the fight, but now he doesn’t.”

And so, Poirier shifts gears and turns his attention toward getting back in shape. A grisly injury to his leg hobbled him after his impressive decision over Jim Miller last month at UFC 208, but he said he’s already recovered.

Of greater disappointment is the loss of time with his family, which he hoped to stock up on as he healed from his previous bout.

“Fighting is a selfish sport,” Poirier said. “I’ve always been fighting for myself, but now I’m fighting for (my daughter’s) future, too. I want her to go to college. I want her to have a structured life. … Of course, I’m still going to put it all on the line … but I’m trying to be more of a defensive fighter.”

Alvarez, No. 4 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings, might be thinking the same thing after getting badly exposed by Conor McGregor in a November title fight at UFC 205. Poirier, currently No. 15, isn’t sure what kind of opponent he’ll be getting. It could be a former champ more eager than ever to prove himself, or someone who’s just going through the motions.

“He might not have the same motivation he had on his climb to that belt,” Poirier said. “But I know this: This is the biggest fight of my life, and Eddie’s probably thinking it’s not the biggest fight of his life. … I don’t know what’s going on with Eddie, but I hope he’s busting his ass.”

Poirier will be busting his, just like he’s been doing since he tried out a new weight division.

For more on UFC 211, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.