Former interim lightweight titleholder Dustin Poirier believes that him getting a UFC 302 title shot against champion Islam Makhachev was 'serendipity,' and he may be right.

When UFC 300 took place on April 13, Poirier was sitting fourth in the rankings and several lightweight contenders were competing on the historic fight card.  Former champion Charles Oliveira could have secured a rematch with Makhachev but was defeated by current top contender Arman Tsarukyan.  Justin Gaethje also could have locked in a title shot but he was knocked out by Max Holloway in the UFC 300 'BMF' bout.  

Two contenders ranked ahead of Poirier lost at UFC 300, but he wasn't the first fighter offered the title bout.  UFC matchmakers offered Tsarukyan the UFC 302 main event slot against Makhachev but Tsarukyan turned down the proposal.  That's when Poirier received the call from the fight promotion.  

"For me, waking up everyday, I just feel grateful.  It's serendipity.  Things just worked out the way they worked out for me to go out there and fight for the world title again in New Jersey on Lafayette Street," Poirier said on The MMA Hour.

Poirier is from Lafayette, Louisiana.  He believes the stars are aligning for him to capture the title on June 1.  "I'm going to be the world champion," he said.

In Interviews promoting the event, Makhachev has made statements that have some in Poirier's camp wondering if the champion is underestimating him. Makhachev called Poirier 'an easy fight,' and that didn't sit well with "The Diamond." 

Related: Ian Garry promises to 'slap the mouth off' Colby Covington within one round

"I haven't really been keeping up a whole lot, but when I was at the gym Mike Brown told me, he said, 'man, I think this guy might be underestimating your jiu-jitsu and underestimating how dangerous you are.'  I think what he's referring to is the interview of Islam saying, 'This is an easy fight for me.'  I was tagged on a bunch of stuff on Instagram and Twitter," explained Poirier.

"I don't know.  Maybe he goes about all fights like that, but I can finish and beat anybody at 155 pounds in the world.  I really believe that, and he doesn't have to believe it.  I'm the one that has to believe it and I'm the one that has to go out there and beat his ass.  I can do that," Poirier said.  "I'm going to put my hands on this guy.  I'm coming in there to hurt him.  This is my last shot.  Mom's spaghetti.  Let's go."