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UFC star Islam Makhachev backed as ‘More dangerous’ than Khabib Nurmagomedov: ‘He’s a better striker’

Daniel Cormier thinks Islam Makhachev is more dangerous than Khabib Nurmagomedov was in his prime. Makhachev is a close…

Daniel Cormier thinks Islam Makhachev is more dangerous than Khabib Nurmagomedov was in his prime.

Makhachev is a close friend and training partner of Nurmagomedov and the current UFC lightweight champion. The Dagestani native is coming off a KO win over Alexander Volkanovski back in October which was a statement win.

Since then, Islam Makhachev is looking to return in June, and Cormier believes it will be hard for any lightweight to beat him. Instead, Cormier thinks Makhachev is actually more dangerous than Nurmagomedov was, which is a scary thought for the lightweight contenders.

“Dana [White] came out a couple weeks ago and said that when he talked to Dustin [Poirier] after the fight (against Nurmagomedov), he said he was freaking out or it was Dustin or Conor [McGregor], one of them was freaking out because they said they never thought another man that can do that to them under Khabib,” Cormier said on YouTube channel. “Because of his strength and his control and the way that he manipulated you on the ground.

“I think Makhachev possesses a lot of those same types of qualities. Very similar when he gets you on the ground but because he’s a better striker, I feel he is even more dangerous than Khabib was during his prime,” Cormier added.

Islam Makhachev issues ultimatum to UFC I'll be ready to smash in March or see you after Ramadan — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Islam Makhachev has shown more of a finishing ability with his hands, as he does appear to have more power than Khabib Nurmagomedov did, which is why Daniel Cormier thinks Makhachev is more dangerous than ‘The Eagle’ was.

Daniel Cormier Believes Dustin Poirier Should Be Next For Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev does not have his next title defense booked, but the hope is he will return in June.

If Makhachev does return in June, Cormier thinks Dustin Poirier should be his next title defense after ‘The Diamond’ scored a KO win over Benoit Saint-Denis.

Khabib Nurmagomedov rules himself out of stunning comeback at UFC 300 it will be without me — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“I feel like it makes sense because if you’re trying to build a star, that star has to go through the previous star,” Cormier said of a Makhachev vs. Poirier title fight. “We saw it happen with Khabib with Conor McGregor. We saw Dustin become a star after beating Conor McGregor. We’ve seen it for as long as we’ve watched sports and sports entertainment because, in the WWF or WWE, you had the established stars, when they were ready to retire, get beat by the new up-and-coming guy. Then they would take that shine. It feels like it makes the most sense because it feels like this is the way to help and further make Islam Makhachev a star.”

For now, however, Makhachev is on the sidelines and waiting for his next fight.

Conor McGregor plans ‘Real trilogy’ fight with Dustin Poirier this year: ‘That is a huge bout right now’

Conor McGregor wasn’t surprised that Dustin Poirier knocked out Benoit Saint-Denis, despite being a sizeable underdog. Poirier was coming…

Conor McGregor wasn’t surprised that Dustin Poirier knocked out Benoit Saint-Denis, despite being a sizeable underdog.

Poirier was coming off a KO loss to Justin Gaethje and many were writing off ‘The Diamond’ heading into UFC 299. However, after a rough first round, Poirier scored a second-round KO win over Saint-Denis in a statement-making performance.

Conor McGregor confirms return fight is set for UFC 303 in June against Michael Chandler — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Despite Poirier being the sizeable underdog, McGregor says he wasn’t surprised to see his rival win as the Irishman says he thought the American would win.

“It was good to see [Dustin] Poirier get that win at the weekend, that makes this the quadrilogy – we’ll say the ‘real trilogy’, [that would] really to finish it and put an end to it, that is a huge bout right now…I anticipated that the result would go that way and I was happy to see it, and that’s a great one for sure,” McGregor said to TalkSPORT.

It is interesting that Conor McGregor was picking Dustin Poirier due to the rivalry, but the Irishman is hoping he can face the American again.

Dustin Poirier calls for title fight with Islam Makhachev in June after shocking KO win at UFC 299 — Mandatory Credit: Megan Briggs

Of course, McGreor’s last fight was against Poirier in July of 2021 when he broke his leg at the end of the first round, after being knocked out by the American that January.

Conor McGregor looking to return

Conor McGregor has been campaigning to make his return to the Octagon for quite some time.

McGregor has not fought since July of 2021 when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier. The Irishman appears to be healthy and has been campaigning to return for a couple of months now with no luck.

Conor McGregor says no to Hall of Fame entry for Dustin Poirier he's done f*ck all UFC

The hope for McGregor is to fight in June against Michael Chandler and then in September against Nate Diaz. However, Dana White has shut that idea down, so for now, it’s uncertain when McGregor will fight again.

Benoit Saint-Denis provides health update, vows to get revenge against ‘Louisana guy’ Dustin Poirier

Benoit Saint-Denis has provided a health update following his UFC 299 knockout loss to Dustin Poirier. Saint-Denis entered the…

Benoit Saint-Denis has provided a health update following his UFC 299 knockout loss to Dustin Poirier.

Saint-Denis entered the fight as the betting favorite and many thought he would run through Poirier. In the first round, he had success, but in the second round, he started to gas and Dustin Poirier made him pay. Poirier landed a big uppercut and then a right hook that knocked Saint-Denis out.

Dustin Poirier lands stunning KO win over Benoit Saint Denis in rsllying performance UFC 299 Highlights — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Following the loss, Saint-Denis’s wife Lalou took to Instagram to provide an update on the Frenchman and revealed he won’t need surgery.

“On the health side, the broken nose does not require surgery, two stitches on an arch, blood pressure at 10 on the day,” his wife Lalou wrote on Instagram (via Le Colisee). “He rehydrated little by little, he continues to take antibiotics. We sleep more than 12 hours a night, which hasn’t happened in eight months. He is disappointed in himself. Defeat leaves him with a bitter taste that he will no longer want to taste. Believe me. Thank you all for your energy in supporting our champion in good times and bad.”

Benoit Saint-Denis (@BenoitSt_Denis) confirmed speculation that he was "fighting with infection" in his #UFC299 loss to Dustin Poirier (@DustinPoirier).https://t.co/QNSdCirX8y

— LowKickMMA.com (@LowKick_MMA) March 10, 2024

It is good news that Saint-Denis won’t need surgery following his UFC 299 loss. But, he was given a 60-day medical suspension following the knockout loss.

Benoit Saint-Denis vows to get revenge on Dustin Poirier

Although Benoit Saint-Denis did get knocked out by Dustin Poirier, the Frenchman says the Staph infection did impact his cardio.

Going into the fight, Saint-Denis knew he had one round of cardio, but he says he has confidence he will climb the rankings again to get his revenge against Poirier.

“I fought completely dehydrated, frustration is huge but it’s hard to judge when to cancel such an opportunity,” Saint-Denis added. “I’m going to get back to work and fix some things that can’t be neglected and never give you a shadow of myself again. God tests us in so many ways, I’m blessed to be well surrounded and have tremendous support. It’s up to us to show you the ‘BSD’ of the last fights when I return, and earn my revenge against this Louisiana guy.”

With the loss, to Poirier, Saint-Denis is now 13-2 and one No Contest and is now 5-2 in the UFC.

Islam Makhachev explains why he turned down UFC 300 title fight against Leon Edwards

Islam Makhachev turned down the chance to headline one of the biggest UFC events ever. Next month, UFC 300…

Islam Makhachev turned down the chance to headline one of the biggest UFC events ever.

Next month, UFC 300 will be headlined by a light heavyweight title tilt pitting reigning and defending champion Alex Pereira against former titleholder Jamahal Hill. In the weeks preceding the big announcement, multiple fighters were rumored to step into the main event spotlight next month, including Israel Adesanya, Khamzat Chimaev, and Jon ‘Bones Jones’

Among those top names was current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who revealed that UFC CEO Dana White came calling with an opportunity to move up and challenge Leon Edwards for welterweight gold.

“Honestly, yes, but it’s not possible, man,” Makhachev said when asked if he was offered the spot while speaking with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn. “Because we have Ramadan now. One month with fasting, and it’s not possible to do training in Ramadan. It’s very hard. You have to fast when the sun rises, and all day you have to fast. … Training this time is very hard.”

Islam Makhachev eyeing fight with Dustin Poirier

Considered the holiest month on the Islamic calendar, Ramadan runs from March 10 through April 9. With UFC 300 scheduled to go down on April 13, there simply wasn’t enough time for the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ to prepare himself for such an important opportunity.

“Of course (it makes me sad), this is a dream fight for me,” Makhachev said. “I don’t have any small chance to fight at UFC 300, that’s why I’m very upset, man. It’s a big deal, big fight with Leon Edwards for the second belt, but this time I miss the chance.”

Though the timeline for UFC 300 did not work out, Makhachev hopes that he can book himself a fight this summer. With both Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira already booked, Makhachev has been angling for a fight with former interim champion Dustin Poirier. The Diamond’ is fresh off a highlight-reel-worthy knockout of Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 on March 9.

“I know Dustin does not deserve the title fight, but we don’t have any option right now,” Makhachev said. “Everybody is busy. I want to fight. I want to fight three times this year. I have to call out someone, and Poirier is free now. He showed an excellent performance and scored a beautiful knockout. He’s free now, he’s healthy, and I asked him to fight in June.”

Check out the full interview with Islam Makhachev below:

Islam Makhachev eyes June title fight with Dustin Poirier after UFC 299: ‘He has a good guillotine’

Islam Makhachev has welcomed the prospect of a June title showdown with UFC 299 big winner, Dustin Poirier –…

Islam Makhachev has welcomed the prospect of a June title showdown with UFC 299 big winner, Dustin Poirier – claiming the Lafayette native possesses a good guillotine choke in response to his call out for a summer championship fight.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter on the promotion’s books, has been sidelined since last October, most recently turning in a blistering first round high-kick and strikes knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s title rematch.

Islam Makhachev set to fight twice this year ahead of expected UFC return — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacece

As for Poirier, the Louisianan co-headlined UFC 299 last weekend in Miami, landing an impressive second round KO win over surging French contender, Benoit Saint-Denis – after battling through some notable adversity, and apparent fatigue, according to veteran caller, Joe Rogan.

Islam Makhachev calls for Dustin Poirier title fight next

Receiving an almost immediate offer Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz of a June title fight against his client, Poirier has welcomed the prospect of fighting the dominant Russian calling out the former for a June showdown next.

“I know Dustin (Poirier) does not deserve a title fight, but we don’t have any [other] option right now,” Islam Makhachev told MMA Junkie. “Everybody is busy, but I want to fight, you know? I want to fight three times in the year, that’s why I just have to call out someone, and Poirier is free now. And he showed an excellent performance, and scored a beautiful knockout. …”

“He’s a legend, he’s beat a lot of tough guys,” Islam Makhachev said. “And he’s a tough opponent, too. He has a good guillotine.”

Sidelined through the coming months amid his participation in the religious period of Ramadan, Makhachev was rumored to fight for welterweight gold at UFC 300 next month – in a monstrous fight against undisputed gold holder, Leon Edwards, ultimately to no avail.

Who wins in a potential June title fight: Dustin Poirier or Islam Makhachev?

Dustin Poirier takes issue with Joe Rogan’s commentary after UFC 299 win: ‘I can’t believe he said that’

Off the back of his spectacular victory over the surging, Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 over the course of…

Off the back of his spectacular victory over the surging, Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 over the course of last weekend, former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier admits he was a little ticked off by the commentary of stalwart favorite, Joe Rogan – adamantly denying claims he was fatigued in the bout.

Poirier, who retained his number three rank within the division’s rankings off the back of his win, fought through some notable adversity in the opening round against Nimes native, Saint-Denis, wrapping up a thunderous second round stoppage in the form of a KO win over the roughshod running challenger.

Dustin Poirier UFC 299 2 — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Fighting off numerous submission attempts throughout their five round scheduled bout, Poirier shelled up at the fence in the second frame, before unloading a counter left uppercut, momentarily dropping Saint-Denis to one knee.

And circling out, Poirier uncorked a whopper right hook shot, sending Saint-Denis hurtling back to the canvas, forcing a stoppage with a massive ground strike soon thereafter.

Dustin Poirier reflects on UFC 299 win

Reflecting on his win, Poirier, who has sights fixed on a stunning June return in a lightweight title siege against the undisputed, Islam Makhachev, admitted he took umbrage with some comments from Rogan on comms at UFC 299.

“I rewatched the fight last night with my wife when we got back to Lousiana,” Dustin Poirier told MMA Fighting. “Joe Rogan said I was exhausted, said I was tired like five times. Bor, I do not get tired. I have some of the best cardio in this fight sh*t that we do. Like, I can go 25 minutes, hard, cracking the whole time, I can’t believe he said that – I felt good.

“…I thought I was gonna have to break him (Benoit Saint-Denis) down, wear him down a little bit more but I caught him in the middle of a trad when his chin was up and his body wasn’t set for that right hook. The timing of it was just perfect to whip his brain around.”

Addressing his loss to Poirier, Saint-Denis, who saw his stunning winning run of finishes halted at UFC 299, confirmed speculation that he was suffering with an infection during fight week – revealing he required antibiotics to battle the setback – which ultimately effected his cardio.

What’s next for Dustin Poirier after his blistering win at UFC 299?