Dustin Poirier, the UFC icon known for his heart-stopping battles and legendary resilience, has been issued a startling warning by an unlikely source: four-time World’s Strongest Man Brian Shaw. The retired strongman, whose 6’8”, 440-pound frame dwarfs even heavyweight fighters, claims sheer size alone would let him overpower Poirier in a real-life scrap. The bold declaration comes years after a playful—but revealing—training session between the two athletes, reigniting debates about brute strength versus elite skill in combat sports.
Brian Shaw’s controversial claim on Dustin Poirier
Back in 2021, Shaw and Poirier shared a lighthearted training session that took an unexpected turn. While the UFC star managed to lock in a submission that forced the strongman to tap, Shaw insists the outcome wasn’t reflective of reality. During an appearance on Bradley Martyn’s Raw Talk, the strongman argued that raw physicality would trump technique in an unfiltered fight.
“If I were really trying to be mean,” Shaw explained, “I would’ve just jumped up and fallen backward. I wasn’t trying to hurt him at all.” The 4x WSM champion emphasized that his 300-pound weight advantage would be insurmountable. “If I get on top of you, it’s almost game over. All I need is wrist control—there’s nothing you could do.”
Shaw’s confidence hinges on his belief that “complete size” neutralizes skill. He recounted pinning Dustin Poirier during their session: “I was just lying on top, crushing him. At a certain point, strength changes everything.”
A look at Poirier’s legacy and Shaw’s hypothetical dominance
Poirier, set to face Max Holloway for the BMF title at UFC 318, boasts a resume filled with wins over legends like Conor McGregor and Justin Gaethje. His technical striking and granite chin have solidified him as a lightweight great. Yet Brian Shaw’s remarks challenge the notion that skill always prevails, suggesting even elite fighters could be overwhelmed by sheer mass.
MMA purists, however, argue Shaw’s take oversimplifies combat sports. While size matters, fighters like Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic have proven that technique and strategy can topple larger opponents. Poirier himself has navigated weight classes, showcasing adaptability against bigger foes.
The training session that sparked the debate
The 2021 meetup between Shaw and Poirier was never meant to be serious. Clips showed the strongman struggling with basic grappling before Poirier secured a rear-naked choke. But Shaw’s post-session analysis—that he “didn’t know what he was doing” yet still controlled Poirier through size—fuels his argument.
Critics counter that MMA’s complexity (striking, submissions, cardio) can’t be replicated in a casual drill. Shaw’s hypothetical scenario ignores factors like endurance, rule sets, and Dustin Poirier’s ability to exploit openings—a luxury he didn’t have while playfully engaging a novice.
Can strength alone conquer skill?
Brian Shaw’s comments tap into a timeless combat sports debate. While freak athletes like Brock Lesnar have succeeded in MMA, they coupled size with rigorous training. Shaw, despite his strength pedigree, lacks the technical foundation to navigate Poirier’s arsenal of strikes, chokes, and escapes.
Yet the strongman’s stance resonates with those who believe raw power is the ultimate equalizer. It’s a narrative that sells—David vs. Goliath, but with Goliath claiming he’d “crush” David if he stopped holding back.
For now, Dustin Poirier remains laser-focused on his BMF title clash with Holloway—a fight promising fireworks between two strikers. Shaw’s hypotheticals, while entertaining, pale next to the stakes of Poirier’s real-world legacy.
As fans dissect Brian Shaw’s claims, one truth endures: In the octagon, theory meets reality. And reality often favors the fighter with decades of scars—not just the one with the heaviest fists.