UFC’s Dan Hardy predicts Poirier to beat Johnson: ‘His confidence is at an all-time high’

UFC commentator and analyst, Dan Hardy, gives the slight edge to Dustin Poirier heading into tonight’s UFC Hidalgo main event.

Later tonight, lightweight hopefuls Dustin Poirier and Michael Johnson will collide at State Farm Arena in the city of Hidalgo, Texas.

Poirier and Johnson will meet at UFC Fight Night 95’s main event, and both men will be looking to move one step closer to title contention.

Poirier, who was once in the running for a shot at the featherweight title, moved up to lightweight after his loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 178. Since then, ‘The Diamond’ has reinvented himself and rattled off four wins against Carlos Diego Ferreira, Yancy Medeiros, Joseph Duffy, and Bobby Green.

Johnson, a finalist on series 12 of The Ultimate Fighter, is ranked as the #10 lightweight in the world and has beaten some serious contenders in the division. The 30-year-old has lost his last two fights and has almost spent a year away from the Octagon, but will look to re-emerge as a serious contender with a win over Poirier.

Former welterweight title challenger Dan Hardy, who now features as a UFC commentator and analyst, gives the slight advantage to Poirier and believes his confidence is at an all-time high.

“I give a slight advantage to Dustin Poirier,” Hardy said to MMA Junkie Radio. “I think his confidence is at an all-time high right now. I think he feels so much better now he’s moved back to lightweight. Some of the guys he has taken out have been very impressive, whereas Michael Johnson will be feeling the pressure coming off two losses.

“I certainly feel like Dustin feeds off his confidence a lot more than some fighters, especially given his fighting style. He needs to be confident as he moves forward behind powerful punches. If not, he’s going to be on the end of Michael Johnson’s jab all night. And that’s not where he wants to be.”

Poirier vs. Johnson will take place later tonight, September 17, at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.

UFC commentator and analyst, Dan Hardy, gives the slight edge to Dustin Poirier heading into tonight’s UFC Hidalgo main event.

Later tonight, lightweight hopefuls Dustin Poirier and Michael Johnson will collide at State Farm Arena in the city of Hidalgo, Texas.

Poirier and Johnson will meet at UFC Fight Night 95’s main event, and both men will be looking to move one step closer to title contention.

Poirier, who was once in the running for a shot at the featherweight title, moved up to lightweight after his loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 178. Since then, ‘The Diamond’ has reinvented himself and rattled off four wins against Carlos Diego Ferreira, Yancy Medeiros, Joseph Duffy, and Bobby Green.

Johnson, a finalist on series 12 of The Ultimate Fighter, is ranked as the #10 lightweight in the world and has beaten some serious contenders in the division. The 30-year-old has lost his last two fights and has almost spent a year away from the Octagon, but will look to re-emerge as a serious contender with a win over Poirier.

Former welterweight title challenger Dan Hardy, who now features as a UFC commentator and analyst, gives the slight advantage to Poirier and believes his confidence is at an all-time high.

“I give a slight advantage to Dustin Poirier,” Hardy said to MMA Junkie Radio. “I think his confidence is at an all-time high right now. I think he feels so much better now he’s moved back to lightweight. Some of the guys he has taken out have been very impressive, whereas Michael Johnson will be feeling the pressure coming off two losses.

“I certainly feel like Dustin feeds off his confidence a lot more than some fighters, especially given his fighting style. He needs to be confident as he moves forward behind powerful punches. If not, he’s going to be on the end of Michael Johnson’s jab all night. And that’s not where he wants to be.”

Poirier vs. Johnson will take place later tonight, September 17, at State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.