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So, personally I think Conor is more talented striker prime for prime. I think there's a significant gap in there. However, Poirier just knocked out that that very Conor at lightweight, and Conor really hasn't done much at all at lightweight anyways. And funny enough, Poirier outlanded Conor even in the first fight before being clipped behind the ear as well, not to mention he was landing some low kicks on Conor in that first fight too.
I see some people saying oh Conor just have to defend that calf kicks and then he would've won. Well he didn't, and he got his shit pushed in. And Conor in his entire life never checked low kicks before, whereas Poirier had that in his game for most of his career including in the very first fight with Conor. I do think Conor is significantly more talented fighter prime for prime, but he hasn't done much and got finished TWICE by getting stunned on the feet at lightweight, not to mention the first fight was at featherweight too.
The best lightweight strikers in the history of lightweight division probably runs something like Pulver, Ludwig, Edwards, Masvidal, Cerrone, Pettis, Gomi, Sakurai, Hansen, BJ, Varner, Barboza, Gaethje, Diaz, Tony, Hooker and more grappler oriented guys like Oliveira, RDA, Eddie, Gil weren't so bad either, and there are obviously new up comers like Riddel and Fiziev.
Also on top of his skills, Poirier is super tough and durable. Some people think he's chinny, but the shots behind the ear can drop people even if they have a good chin, since it's not even on the chin, and the shot Poirier got caught with against MJ probably would've knocked out Mark Hunt too that was caught right on the button and Poirier's strike defense improved tremendously after. And that was it, 33 fights, finished by strikes twice, one which was avenged. I feel like the reason that Poirier sometimes gets hit flush and appears rocked has more to do with his style than anything, but he has that grit and endurance in him to keep fighting and still perform to the best of his ability. I don't think his chin or strike defense is as bad as some people make him out to be.
Like I said, I do think skill-wise Conor is significantly better than Poirier. And perhaps there are and has been more skilled strikers than Poirier. But if you take into consideration Poirier's accomplishments at LIGHTWEIGHT division, alongside his skills, finishing power, endurance, cardio and grit, I don't think it's far fetched to argue that Poirier is the best striker in the lightweight history.
I see some people saying oh Conor just have to defend that calf kicks and then he would've won. Well he didn't, and he got his shit pushed in. And Conor in his entire life never checked low kicks before, whereas Poirier had that in his game for most of his career including in the very first fight with Conor. I do think Conor is significantly more talented fighter prime for prime, but he hasn't done much and got finished TWICE by getting stunned on the feet at lightweight, not to mention the first fight was at featherweight too.
The best lightweight strikers in the history of lightweight division probably runs something like Pulver, Ludwig, Edwards, Masvidal, Cerrone, Pettis, Gomi, Sakurai, Hansen, BJ, Varner, Barboza, Gaethje, Diaz, Tony, Hooker and more grappler oriented guys like Oliveira, RDA, Eddie, Gil weren't so bad either, and there are obviously new up comers like Riddel and Fiziev.
Also on top of his skills, Poirier is super tough and durable. Some people think he's chinny, but the shots behind the ear can drop people even if they have a good chin, since it's not even on the chin, and the shot Poirier got caught with against MJ probably would've knocked out Mark Hunt too that was caught right on the button and Poirier's strike defense improved tremendously after. And that was it, 33 fights, finished by strikes twice, one which was avenged. I feel like the reason that Poirier sometimes gets hit flush and appears rocked has more to do with his style than anything, but he has that grit and endurance in him to keep fighting and still perform to the best of his ability. I don't think his chin or strike defense is as bad as some people make him out to be.
Like I said, I do think skill-wise Conor is significantly better than Poirier. And perhaps there are and has been more skilled strikers than Poirier. But if you take into consideration Poirier's accomplishments at LIGHTWEIGHT division, alongside his skills, finishing power, endurance, cardio and grit, I don't think it's far fetched to argue that Poirier is the best striker in the lightweight history.
