Poirier Says Shorts Malfunction Saved Tsarukyan

Dustin Poirier believes a wardrobe malfunction robbed Charles Oliveira of a submission victory over Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300.

The former interim lightweight champion told the Deep Waters podcast that Tsarukyan's shorts slipping down in the first round allowed the Georgian to escape what should have been a finish. "Coming from a guy who knows how to miss guillotines, he would have gotten that guillotine if those shorts wouldn't have slipped off," Poirier said, per MMA Mania.

How The Wardrobe Issue Changed The Fight

Oliveira locked in a tight guillotine early in the bout, but as Tsarukyan worked to escape, his shorts slid past his hips. Poirier argued the clothing failure broke Oliveira's guard and freed Tsarukyan from a losing position. "The shorts slipped off and it allowed him to get out of Charles' guard," he said. "He had full guard, locked in guillotine. Arman started to get his hips down, his shorts came down which allowed Charles' guard to come off and saved Arman."

Tsarukyan went on to win a split decision that night in April 2024, though debate continues over who deserved the nod. Oliveira has since gone 3-1 across four fights while Tsarukyan beat Dan Hooker in November 2025 and posted a 10-1-1 record in grappling and wrestling competition over nine months.

The two lightweights are reportedly set for a rematch as the co-main event at UFC 331 in Los Angeles on September 19, though the promotion has not made an official announcement.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Dustin Poirier insists wardrobe malfunction cost Charles Oliveira a win over Arman Tsarukyan