Islam Makhachev defends his lightweight gold against Dustin Poirier in the UFC 302 headliner. One of the best-ranking P4P standouts and lightweight king meets a phenomenal striker in Dustin Poirier. So, he does have a challenge ahead of him. However, Poirier’s grappling skills are another matter altogether for the Dagestani.
The underdog Louisiana native flipped the script in a five-round co-main event at UFC 299, Miami a while back. Despite hard attempts, Poirier could not garner a submission from his guillotine chokes. ‘Diamond’ opted for a guillotine choke without wrapping the leg around Makhachev’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. It led Khabib to escape, as did so many other fighters. As such, Makhachev does not consider Poirier to pose any threat with grappling.
[Poirier has] Brother, very heavy hands…Wrestling and grappling…no [smirks] Dustin and grappling…everybody knows this. He has always problem when somebody take him down, hold his back…he has always problem. But his nickname – ‘Diamond’… I have to go first June, take the ‘Diamond’ and put on my belt…
Islam Makhachev via the “Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman & Henry Cejudo” Podcast
Islam Makhachev is already a 5-1 betting favorite at BetMGM. Poirier, 30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC, is at the tail-end of his active participation, often saying any fight could be his last. Makhachev respects his boxing skills as the consensus best in UFC right now. Most of Dustin Poirier’s battles see a bloody fallout.
However, the Dagestani fighter does not take Poirier’s grappling seriously whatsoever. Makhachev has already gibed at the vanity of his failed clinches and a permanent contender status due to it. Hence, the Dagestani touts warring words to add a ‘Diamond’ under his belt. The grandiose of his aims earned hoorahs from co-hosts Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo even.
Islam Makhachev says ‘why not’ to Conor McGregor after UFC 302
June is the slated month for fan frenzy. Reigning lightweight champ Islam Makhachev meets stalwart Dustin Poirier. He puts his 155-pound title strap on the line at UFC 302’s main event. One numbered card later, Conor McGregor makes his return at UFC 303, Live From T-Mobile Arena.
Conor McGregor, Islam Makhcahev (Source: irishmirror.ie/IMAGO)If the stars align, Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) might get to meet the Irish superstar. McGregor returns for a welterweight headliner four weeks later. The Dagestani has long awaited a rise in weight class to 170. Fight the consensus buyout king for what could be a huge purse? It’s a no-brainer. In fact, the UFC lightweight champion thinks he’d be a fool not to do it.
People have to be stupid to say no, [laughs] Of course I will fight with him…Brother, easy. This guy not same…I don’t want to, like, make him look bad, but everybody know this guy not same. Before, yeah, for sure. When he was fighting with Khabib, he was in a good shape. He [practically was] a high-level fighter. But right now, too much alcohol, too much whiskey…
Islam Makhachev via the “Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman & Henry Cejudo” Podcast
The Makhachev vs. McGregor fight can easily break PPV records as it has a storyline. Considering McGregor’s history with Makhachev’s mentor, Khabib, it adds a whole new level when the student faces a heated rival. Nevertheless, the chances of that happening remain close to one percent.
