This week, former interim UFC Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier will join ESPN’s expansive, on-site UFC 303: Pereira vs. Procházka 2 studio coverage from Las Vegas as a guest analyst, bringing fans even more inside perspective leading up to the signature event.
Poirier, who has featured in seven UFC PPV main events in the ESPN+ era (since 2019), will join ESPN’s industry-leading team of MMA experts across UFC Live and UFC Pre-Show, as well as appear on SportsCenter segments beginning Thursday.
“Dustin brings even more expertise and experience from inside the Octagon to our sets in Las Vegas. He’s a huge fan favorite and has already proven to be a great teammate. Having him join our already deep studio show team for UFC 303, paired with all the excitement around UFC X on Friday, will be a huge win for fight fans watching across ESPN platforms or here in Las Vegas.”
Additionally, ESPN’s Friday coverage will originate from inside all the action at UFC X. This fully immersive experience provides fans unparalleled access to UFC champions, Hall of Famers, top-ranked contenders, and other UFC personalities.
Before Poirier goes live, he took Front Row inside his preparations and outlook for UFC 303 (Saturday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV).
On joining ESPN’s UFC 303 studio coverage:
This is my second time joining the ESPN studio team as a guest analyst and second as an analyst on UFC’s PPV coverage. If we’re filming something that we can edit, I’m not worried because I know it’s going to come out perfect every time. But live, you can’t have any hiccups. From talking to people who have experience here, it’s all about reps to get more comfortable and make it more of a natural thing, so I’m pumped to be back again.
On preparing for being on air vs. fight preparation:
When I get on the plane Wednesday, I’m going to bring some notes with me. Instead of watching fight footage to break down an opponent, I’m looking at guys’ stats, records, previous fights, and where they’re at in their careers. I’ve been fight studying for a long time, so talking about that type of stuff is easy.
On his favorite ESPN studio show:
SportsCenter, there are so many highlights. You still get the breakdowns, but I like the action!
This staredown between Jiří Procházka and Alex Pereira before their first fight is iconic #UFC303 l Saturday l 10 ET l ESPN+ PPV https://t.co/B6NfQf13Ib pic.twitter.com/krqGSK9MZb
— ESPN (@espn) June 24, 2024
On UFC 303 being can’t miss for fans: The main event features the light heavyweight title rematch of Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka; in the co-main, featherweights Diego Lopes and Brian Ortega duel:
In the co-main, you have a young 45er [featherweight] making some serious noise in the division [Diego Lopes], and you have a veteran who has been proven against the best in the world with Brian Ortega. You get to use him as a measuring stick to see if he’s still there or if this young new guy is going to take his spot. Then, with the main event, anytime Alex [Pereira] fights, it’s a must-see. This guy is putting people out cold. He’s walking in there stoic, walking people down, pushing the ref away. You’ve got to watch this guy fight.
