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UFC 302’s Dustin Poirier believes Islam Makhachev’s fight game has surpassed that of Khabib Nurmagomedov

UFC 302 headliner Dustin Poirier believes Islam Makhachev's skills have surpassed that of Khabib Nurmagomedov Dustin Poirier believes that reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is better both on the ground and on the…

Dustin Poirier believes that reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is better both on the ground and on the feet than his mentor, Khabib Numragomedov.

On Saturday, June 1, ‘The Diamond’ will return to the Octagon for what could very well be the final fight of his illustrious combat sports career. Headlining the promotion’s return to the Prudential Cente in Newark, New Jersey, ‘The Diamond’ will challenge Makhachev for the 155-pound crown in the UFC 302 main event.

With their highly anticipated scrap a few short weeks away, Poirier joined Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour to break down his fight with the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ and the differences he sees between Makhachev and former lightweight titleholder Khabib Nurmagomedov.

“I think [Islam’s] submission game, jiu-jitsu wise, is a little more versatile than Khabib,” Poirier said. “Khabib had some chokes that he did really well, but Islam’s putting himself in, you could say bad positions, going for armbars. Maybe he loses a position but he trusts his wrestling to get it back.

“I think [Islam] is a little bit more of a threat jiu-jitsu wise and scrambles, but I think his striking’s better than Khabib’s.”

Dustin Poirier knows a thing or two about what it’s like being inside the Octagon with Nurmagomedov. The two went toe-to-toe for the lightweight title nearly five years ago at UFC 242. While ‘The Diamond’ hung in there longer than most, he would eventually submit to ‘The Eagle’ via a third-round rear-naked choke.

Dustin Poirier reacts to Islam makhachev calling him an ‘easy fight’

Going 2-2 in his last four fights, Dustin Poirier’s journey to a third lightweight title opportunity was more a matter of circumstance than anything else. Still, it would be foolish to count out ‘The Diamond’ inside the Octagon. Unfortunately, that appears to be exactly what Islam Makhachev has already done.

During a recent interview with TMZ, Makhachev said: “I have the key for the easy fight. And if I follow the plan, I can beat him easy.”

Reacting to the notion that he’s an “easy fight” for the Dagestani, Poirier warned Makhachev of what happens when you underestimate one of the UFC’s most explosive strikers.

“I hadn’t been keeping up a whole lot but when I was at the gym, Mike Brown, he said ‘Man, this guy might be underestimating your jiu-jitsu and underestimating how dangerous you are.’ I think what he is referring to is an interview of Islam saying this is an easy fight for me,” Poirier said. “I was tagged in a bunch of stuff on Instagram and Twitter, that is where I see a lot of the info of him saying that.

“I don’t know, maybe he goes about all fights like this. But, I can finish and beat anybody at 155 lbs in the world, I really believe that. He doesn’t have to believe it, I am the one who has to believe it and I’m the one who has to go out there and beat his ass, and I can do that” (h/t BJPenn.com).

Dustin Poirier unsure of retirement ahead of UFC 302 fight with Islam Makhachev: ‘It could be my last one’

Booked to headline UFC 302 at the start of next month in an undisputed lightweight title clash, Dustin Poirier…

Booked to headline UFC 302 at the start of next month in an undisputed lightweight title clash, Dustin Poirier admits he could potentially call time on his storied mixed martial arts career – event should he topple Islam Makhachev in New Jersey.

Poirier, the current number three ranked lightweight contender and a former interim division champion, is slated to return next month at UFC 302 in Newark, headlining the pay-per-view card in a showdown with incumbent pound-for-pound number one, Makhachev.

Dustin Poirier takes issue with Joe Rogan's commentary after UFC 299 win I can't believe he said that — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Earning a third shot at undisputed 155lbs spoils at UFC 299 back in March, Lafayette native, Poirier rallied to turn in a stunning second round KO win over French contender, Benoit Saint Denis, snapping the emerging force’s winning run.

Dustin Poirier questions Benoit Saint Denis over staph infection you don't say something like that when you lose — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

As for Makhachev, the Russian headlined UFC 294 back in October of last year against former featherweight gold holder, Alexander Volkanovski, ending their two-fight series with a blistering first round high-kick and strikes knockout win.

Dustin Poirier weighs up retirement ahead of UFC 302

And linked with a potential retirement ahead of his UFC 299 fight with Saint Denis, ahead of his lightweight title fight return, Poirier, 35, admitted he could call time on his story even if he lands an underdog title win over Makhachev.

Dustin Poirier reacts to Islam Makhachev's title fight call joke I've done more in the sport than him — Mandatory Credit: Megan Briggs

“It could be [my last fight],” Dustin Poirier told Fight Bananas during a recent interview. “I haven’t made an official decision yet, but it could be. I’ve said it over and over again, I still have a lot of tread on the tires. I can beat these young guys, I just did it.”

Dustin Poirier was asked if he would retire with a win over Islam Makhachev at #UFC302

"It could be [my last fight]. I haven't made an official decision yet, but it could be.

I've said this over and over again, I still have a lot of tread on the tires. I can beat these young… pic.twitter.com/LBvr5XkwQ3

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 2, 2024

“It’s just like, how much do I want to give to this sport?” Dustin Poirier continued. “Because, you don’t ride for free. I don’t wanna make any decisions just off of the way I’m feeling. I need to go out there and fight, like I said in Miami.”

Who wins at UFC 302 next month: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

Justin Gaethje ruled from future Islam Makhachev fight after UFC 300 loss: ‘He was the biggest threat to us’

Following his spectacular defeat to Max Holloway at UFC 300 earlier this month, any chances that Justin Gaethje will…

Following his spectacular defeat to Max Holloway at UFC 300 earlier this month, any chances that Justin Gaethje will fight Islam Makhachev for the lightweight crown in the future have been axed by head coach, Javier Mendez, who admitted the former was likely the biggest “threat” to the Russian’s title reign.

Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion, featured as the first of three ‘championship’ fights at UFC 300 earlier this month, taking on former featherweight kingpin, Holloway in the pair’s symbolic BMF title fight.

Max Holloway shows off dama — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

And en route to a comfortable decision loss to the Hawaiian, Gaethje was flattened with a single second remaining in the fifth round of their UFC 300 clash, resulting in a harrowing buzzer-beating knockout defeat.

Islam Makhachev calls for division move after UFC 302 I've already beat everyone at lightweight — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacece

As for Makhachev, the current pound-for-pound number one fighter on the promotion’s books, is slated to headline UFC 302 in June in New Jersey, taking on soon-to-be common-foe, Dustin Poirier in an undisputed lightweight title fight.

Justin Gaethje ruled from title fight with Islam Makhachev

And off the back of his defeat, Gaethje – who plans an extended break away from active competition, has been ruled from a fight with Makhachev in the future, by the Russian’s head coach – who admitted the Arizona native was likely going to pose the biggest difficulty to the reign of the American Kickboxing Academy product.

Justin Gaethje claims he's not done after UFC 300 loss to Max Holloway I will fight in the future

“Yeah to me, the guy – out of all the guys that I thought was stylistically very dangerous, out of all of them, I thought it was Justin Gaethje,” Javier Mendez said on his podcast. “Stylistically, because of his wrestling pedigree, you know. And his striking is really good, [he’s] strong.”

“It’s all apples and oranges, right,” Mendez explained. “Everybody brings a different skillset, so I thought he was the biggest threat for us. And now, he’s probably never going to be in the picture for us, going forward. No need to talk about him as a threat because he’s never going to be there anymore, I don’t think.”

Who would have won in a lightweight title fight: Islam Makhachev or Justin Gaethje?

Islam Makhachev expects ‘Easy’ title fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 302: ‘I’m ready for your guillotine’

Booked to return at UFC 302 at the beginning of June, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev claims he has…

Booked to return at UFC 302 at the beginning of June, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev claims he has the “keys” to turn in an easy victory over incoming foe, former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier in New Jersey.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound ranked fighter on the promotion’s banner, is slated to make his first outing inside the Octagon this summer at UFC 302 in Newark, taking on Poirier in a summer comeback.

Sidelined since last October, Makhachev most recently retained his lightweight crown with a stunning first round high-kick and strikes knockout win over then-featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s short-notice rematch clash.

As for Poirier, the former interim titleholder co-headlined UFC 299 back in March, rallying to turn in an emphatic second round knockout win over emerging French contender, Benoit Saint Denis – denying the Nimes native another consecutive victory.

Islam Makhachev expects easy fight with Dustin Poirier

And booking a fight with the Lafayette native in his return to active competition, Makhachev – who is reportedly gearing up for both a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan and a projected welterweight move later this year, expects an “easy” bout with Poirier at UFC 302.

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

“Dustin (Poirier) is a legend – he has more experience than anybody in this sport,” Islam Makhachev told TMZ Sports. “But his problem is his style, just one problem this guy have. His weak point is wrestling and the grappling. And I just – I have the key for the easy fight, I think if I follow the plan, I can beat him easy.”

“My style and Khabib (Nurmagomedov’s) style is worst style for Dustin,” Islam Makhachev explained. “People who can take him down and hold him there, always give him problems. And I’m not underestimating Poirier, because you know, this guy’s a legend, he can beat everybody. …Dustin, be ready – and wrestle a lot. I defend my neck, I’m ready for your guillotine, that’s why it’s not happening in our fight.”

Do you think Islam Makhachev is overlooking Dustin Poirier?

Islam Makhachev calls for Leon Edwards title fight after UFC 302: ‘I already gave a chance to fighters at 145’

Slated to headline UFC 302 in June, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev is hellbent on challenging for a second…

Slated to headline UFC 302 in June, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev is hellbent on challenging for a second title after his comeback this summer, specifically in a showdown with welterweight titleholder, Leon Edwards.

Makhachev, the current lightweight gold holder, is set to make his comeback to the Octagon this summer in New Jersey, taking on former interim champion, Dustin Poirier in the pair’s championship headliner atop UFC 302.

UFC Saudi Arabia postponed until June amid links to Islam Makhachev comeback fight — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Sidelined since December, Birmingham native, Edwards himself most recently took main event honors at UFC 296, himself turning in a one-sided unanimous decision victory against former interim champion, Colby Covington in the pair’s heated grudge fight.

Islam Makhachev calls for Leon Edwards clash

And forever staking his claim for a siege at a second title belt, Makhachev, the current pound-for-pound number one, claims his decision to welcome title challenges from Alexander Volkanovski in a featherweight rise, should allow him to challenge for welterweight spoils after UFC 302.

“My dream fight: I have to fight in the next division, 170 [pounds],” Islam Makhachev told The New York Post. “I have to fight Leon Edwards. I already gave a chance to fighters at 145 [pounds]. That’s why I need my chance at a second belt. …Honestly, I don’t have any exciting fights, because Dustin (Poirier) has just one-fight win streak.”

“And we have Arman (Tsarukyan), but I already beat this guy,” Islam Makhachev explained. “I don’t have some job in my division, in my opinion, honestly. And I think I have a chance. They have to give me the chance for a second belt because I already beat the old guys.”

Leon Edwards confirms he will fight at UFC 300 I will defend my title in April in Las Vegas — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Himself linked with a comeback fight at the end of July in Manchester, Edwards has been touted as a shoo-in to feature at UFC 304 in a home soil return – amid links to a title fight rematch with the streaking, Belal Muhammad.

Who wins in a future title ‘super fight’: Leon Edwards or Islam Makhachev?

Dustin Poirier vs. Islam Makhachev: Early Head-to-Toe Breakdown for UFC 302

In the end, Dustin Poirier won the sweepstakes for the next crack at UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. The popular veteran will get his shot at the…