Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler's rivalry has been ridiculed by fans after previous footage emerged of the pair sharing a hug backstage at UFC 257.
Poirier is set to take on 155lb rival Chandler at UFC 281 after the pair agreed to a meeting which is set for November 12 at Madison Square Garden. 'The Diamond' and his opponent were involved in a heated altercation at UFC 276 where the pair vowed to destroy one another in their upcoming clash, with both men separated by security.
However footage has emerged of a prior face-to-face at UFC 257 which showed Poirier and Chandler much more subdued when sizing each other up. They first pretended to feint and move in front of each other when they were brought together, but then hugged it out after Poirier paid tribute to his rival's most recent victory at the time against Dan Hooker.
However the chance meeting led to fans suggesting that the pair had over-exaggerated their feud in the past, with one fan commenting: 'You guys acted like you hated each other! What's this guys? Is it a storyline?" Another fan quickly agreed: "Damn Dustin could have dropped him right there."
Other fans used it as an opportunity to preview the clash, with one writing: "I'd be pretty surprised if Poirier shoots for a takedown on Chandler in the fight." Another added: "This is going to be an absolute war." A final fan added: "I would like to add that this fight is literally diamond vs iron."
Poirier hasn't fought since losing in his title challenge to Charles Oliveira, but was in fine fettle leading into the bout having defeated bitter rival Conor McGregor twice. Meanwhile Chandler has been looking his way back into 155lb title contention after losing to both Oliveira and Gaethje, and put it behind him with a sensational win over Tony Ferguson.
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The pair have been at each others throats since the UFC 276 altercation took place but were sat down to settle their differences with UFC heavyweight Daniel Cormier. And Poirier suggested his rival was a different person to the one he met in Abu Dhabi, suggesting: "This is just it, the way he answered that question is not who he was a few interviews ago with Ariel Helwani.
"Or it's not who he was when the mic's in front of him in the octagon. He was a different guy whenever we sat next to each other in Abu Dhabi and spoke."
Chandler hit back quickly explaining his actions: "The guy that talked to you in Abu Dhabi in the stands, you and I in the stands, before weigh-ins, we had all of that. And then that Dustin Poirier went on record on the microphone after the fight and said, 'If the UFC wants me to fight Michael Chandler, I'd just as soon go sell hot sauce.'''
