Dustin Poirier: I respect Eddie Alvarez but he made a mistake agreeing to fight me at UFC 211

Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez is finally set to make his return to the UFC since his second round loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 205. Alvarez will take on Dustin Poirier at UFC 211 in Dallas, Texas this weekend.

Alvarez is widely regarded as one of the best mixed martial artists in the world and is the first and only fighter to have won championships in both Bellator MMA and the UFC. Prior to joining the UFC, he was a two-time Bellator Lightweight Champion. The fact that Alvarez boasts a lot more experience than Poirier, The Diamond feels that he made a mistake agreeing to fight him at UFC 211.

Also read: Nate Diaz laughs at Eddie Alvarez fight offer; asks Conor McGregor to get back to work

"He just made a mistake. He signed the papers and now it's too late. I respect him and I appreciate what he's done in the sport and the miles he's had to travel to do it. That being said, I'm a warrior and I'm going to go out there and damage this guy," Fox Sports quoted Poirier as saying.

"I'm getting better every week. I feel like I'm hitting a stride. I've stumbled in the past but I'm one of the best fighters in the world and I absolutely know it in my heart."

Check out Dustin Poirier training ahead of his big fight against Eddie Alvarez. 

Poirier seems really confident ahead of what is expected to be the biggest fight of career till now. He said he will knock out the former UFC lightweight champion once his body breaks down from all the damage he does. Poirier has a record of 10 wins by knockout from 26 fights in his MMA career and feels if Alvarez makes the wrong move and allows him to connect, he will finish him.

As for Alvarez, the former champ is not interested in getting a title shot immediately and was okay if the UFC gave it to other fighters before him. According to reports, he wanted to forget all about his loss to McGregor and the anger it caused him. He is set to use that anger to get back inside the octagon.

"There are no external forces, or someone saying, you've gotta do this, or you've gotta do that. I've just got to do whatever the f**k I want to do. That's it. And that feels good," Alvarez said.

While Poirier seems really confident about his changes at UFC 211, Alvarez thinks he should be really careful.

"I think he's going to have to be very careful within the first five minutes. He's going to have to be very careful in his movements and what he's willing to do, because it could end quickly if he makes himself too vulnerable."