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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).

Bo Nickal touted as ‘American Khabib Nurmagomedov’ ahead of UFC 300 return: ‘He’s phenomenal’

Set to make his third walk under the promotion’s banner at UFC 300 this weekend, unbeaten middleweight contender, Bo…

Set to make his third walk under the promotion’s banner at UFC 300 this weekend, unbeaten middleweight contender, Bo Nickal most certainly has the ability to be a future American-version of Hall of Fame star, Khabib Nurmagomedov, according to former titleholder, Michael Bisping.

Nickal, who makes his return to the Octagon almost a year since his last outing, makes a highly-scrutinized main card appearance at the massive UFC 300 card this weekend, taking on Cody Brundage in search of his third straight victory.

A decorated amateur wrestling talent, Colorado native, Nickal – who twice prevailed with victories on Dana White’s Contender Series – has so far racked up a submission win and knockout stoppage over both Jamie Pickett, and Val Woodburn, respectively, the most recent of which last July.

Bo Nickal receives comparisons to Khabib Nurmagomedov

Touted as a massive prospect at the middleweight limit – and to many, a future title challenger, Nickal has been backed as a candidate to become an ‘American-version’ of former lightweight champion, Nurmagomedov, according to color-commentator, Bisping.

Khabib Nurmagomedov denounces Power Slap League don't slap nobody no good UFC — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“Bo Nickal has the potential to go down as one of the greatest champions that we’ve ever seen – an American version of a Khamzat Chimaev or an Islam Makhachev or a Khabib Nurmagomedov,” Michael Bisping told MMA Fighting. “That’s the kind of pedigree that he has, and that’s what he’s shown so far.”

“When you reach the level Bo Nickal has in wrestling, you’re a special kind of human being. …Bo Nickal has got the ability to be an American Khabib Nurmagomedov,” Bisping explained. “And he’s a great guy. He’s phenomenal. He’s undefeated. The UFC know what they have on their hands.”

Bo Nickal stokes fan outcry over main card fight at UFC 300 I like that it makes people mad — Mandatory Credit: Cooper Neil – Zuffa LLC

Arguing his case to feature on the main card of UFC 300 – above a slew of former champions who remain seated on the preliminary card, Nickal claims the reasoning for his placement on the pay-per-view portion of the event likely translates to his ability to sell.

Do you think Bo Nickal can reach the heights of Khabib Nurmagomedov?

Bo Nickal touted as ‘American Khabib Nurmagomedov’ ahead of UFC 300 return: ‘He’s phenomenal’

Set to make his third walk under the promotion’s banner at UFC 300 this weekend, unbeaten middleweight contender, Bo…

Bo Nickal receives comparisons to Khabib Nurmagomedov

Do you think Bo Nickal can reach the heights of Khabib Nurmagomedov?

Bo Nickal touted as ‘American Khabib Nurmagomedov’ ahead of UFC 300 return: ‘He’s phenomenal’

Set to make his third walk under the promotion’s banner at UFC 300 this weekend, unbeaten middleweight contender, Bo…

Bo Nickal receives comparisons to Khabib Nurmagomedov

Do you think Bo Nickal can reach the heights of Khabib Nurmagomedov?

Khabib Nurmagomedov labels Georges St-Pierre’s prediction of win over him in failed fight as ‘Interesting’

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov claimed it was “interesting” to hear former two-divivision titleholder, Georges St-Pierre predict a…

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov claimed it was “interesting” to hear former two-divivision titleholder, Georges St-Pierre predict a victory over him if they ever shared the Octagon together, having confirmed a potential super-fight was floated for 2020.

Nurmagomedov, a former undisputed lightweight champion and subsequent Hall of Fame inductee, retired from mixed martial arts competition four year ago, ending his illustrious career with a second round arm-triangle submission win against former interim champion, Justin Gaethje in the pair’s title unification bout.

Ending his career boasting a stunning 29-0 unbeaten record, Nurmagomedov has stressed his desire to remain retired from active competition in the aftermath of his exit from fighting – as well as coaching, however, St-Pierre revealed this week that a bout against himself was floated soon after he hung up his gloves.

“I think Khabib (Nurmagomedov) could have beat me, I’m not saying I could beat Khabib all the time,” Georges St-Pierre said. “I was confident enough to take that fight that I was thinking that if I take that fight, I’m going to beat him that day at that particular place, that doesn’t mean I will beat him all the time. But I was confident – maybe I’m wrong.”

Georges St-Pierre reveals scare with health condition led to UFC exit I thought I had cancer — Mandatory Credit: Brandon Magnus – Zuffa LLC

“I think I would have beat him because if he would have come to put pressure on me, I would have put him down,” Georges St-Pierre explained. “I would have the confidence to try to go for it. …I think that I would have maybe been the first guy that he fought or one of the only guys that would have tried to put him down, and I’ve put down everybody that I’ve fought.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov responds to Georges St-Pierre’s prediction of win

And sharing his thoughts on Canadian icon, St-Pierre’s bold claim of a triumph against himself, Nurmagomedov – who previously revealed the former was his late father, Abdulmanap’s favorite fighter in MMA, claimed it was “interesting” to hear the ex-champion speak about him.

Khabib Nurmagomedov addresses potential UFC return people want to see this — Mandatory Credit: Eagle FC

“I learn from this guy (Georges St-Pierre) a lot,” Khabib Nurmagomedov posted on his official X account. “Even [to] hear he talk about me is so interesting. GSP all day.”

Who do you pick in a super-fight between Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov?

Video – New UFC 300 promo lands featuring failed dream fights, fans lament Khabib – Ferguson inclusion

Ahead of next month’s massive UFC 300 card in Las Vegas, the promotion released a new promotional video ahead…

Ahead of next month’s massive UFC 300 card in Las Vegas, the promotion released a new promotional video ahead of the event – featuring a slew of dream fights that never happened, including event headliner, Alex Pereira against the late knockout artist, Anthony Johnson, and a disappointingly failed clash of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.

Tony Ferguson reveals a little part of him left MMA when Khabib Nurmagomedov retired UFC — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

Returning to a pay-per-view schedule next month with a monumental UFC 300 card, the promotion fields three championship fights on the main card, with the above-mentioned, Pereira meeting Jamahal Hill, Zhang Weili tackling Yan Xiaonan for strawweight spoils, while Justin Gaethje defends BMF title honors against Max Holloway.

New promotional video for UFC 300 releases overnight

Also featured on the stacked card are the likes of Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, Jiri Prochazka, Aleksandar Rakic, Aljamain Sterling, Holly Holm, Kayla Harrison, Jim Miller, Deiveson Figueiredo, and Cody Garbrandt to name a few.

Alex Pereira agrees deal to fight at UFC 301 in Brazil title fight just 21 days after UFC 300 return — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

And during last night’s broadcast at UFC Atlantic City, the organization released a new promotional video ahead of UFC 300 – previewing a slew of failed dream fights, much to fan interest, and criticizm to boot.

Amongst the inclusion of Khabib’s failed title fight with Ferguson, fans also saw hypothetical in-fight action and pre-fight faces offs of Daniel Cormier x Mark Coleman, welterweight greats, Matt Hughes x Kamaru Usman, Joanna Jedrzejczyk against current flyweight champion, Alexa Grasso, renowned star, Chuck Liddell against Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey against Valentina Shevchenko, Frank Mir x Tom Aspinall, B.J. Penn versus Max Holloway, and a middleweight clash of fan-favorite, Nick Diaz and ex-champion, Sean Strickland.

Arman Tsarukyan unfazed by Charles Oliveira ahead of UFC 300 fight he's nothing special — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

With UFC 300 just two weeks out ahead of a return to the Apex facility next month for a headlining rematch between Brendan Allen, and Chris Curtis, fan expectation is through the roof on a much scrutinized card in ‘Sin City’.

Are you excited to take in UFC 300 in two weeks?