Khabib beat Poirier, so Makhachev can do it too! What to expect from the main fight of UFC 302?
Maxim Ermakov May 30, 2024, 18:45 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Nurmagomedov will prepare his successor for a difficult meeting.
On the night of June 1 to 2, the UFC 302 tournament will be held in Newark (USA) at the Prundential Center stadium, which promises to give fans many emotions. In the main event of the night, Islam Makhachev will defend his championship belt in a fight with Dustin Poirier.
Where to watch the Makhachev – Poirier fight
The fight between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier will be broadcast live on the Match TV channel!
Makhachev is a universal fighter.
Makhachev confidently writes his history in the UFC. He is the lightweight champion and has already defended his title twice. He became champion of Islam after winning a fight with Charles Oliveira. In the second round he performed a triangle and forced the Brazilian to surrender. Since then he has defended the title twice. On both occasions, he in fights with Volkanovski.
If after winning the first fight with the Australian after five rounds, many still had questions for Makhachev, in the second he silenced everyone. The Russian knocked out Alexander in the first round.
Khabib’s successor already has 13 consecutive victories in the UFC. The great Nurmagomedov also participated in Islam’s success, who once again prepared the champion for the fight with Dustin Poirier. Therefore, there should be no doubt that Makhachev will be in ideal physical shape.
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Islam is dangerous because it is universal. He has no equal in wrestling, which has been proven repeatedly. But thanks to his incredible size, athleticism, and strength, he is able to fight on his feet, surprising you with his elegant boxing technique. Makhachev demonstrated this precisely in his last fight with Volkanovski. Bets on a Dagestan victory are accepted at 1.14.
What will help Poirier?
Most likely, this will be Dustin’s last chance to win the UFC title. He himself is aware of this and that is why he has mentioned it several times. For the first time, Poirier lost in a title fight to Islam’s mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov. In the third round, the Dagestani performed a choke and forced Brilliant to submit.
Poirier then lost his title fight to Charles Oliveira. Again by choke in the third round. Not long ago, Diamond lost to Justin Gaethje in a fight for the vacant BMF title. After this, Islam’s most likely opponent might have been Highlight, but he lost the last fight without a chance.
But Dustin defeated Benoit Saint-Denis by knockout in the second round of the last fight. It’s hard to believe he got another shot at the championship belt, but it really is. Poirier will try to control the fight on the feet. His only task is not to allow the Russian athlete to take the fight to the ground.
Only constant pressure on Makhachev can help in this, but where is the guarantee that one of Islam’s blows will not reach the target before Poirier? You can bet on Diamond to win at odds of 6.10.
Third attempt: third strangulation?
Let’s focus on the fact that Poirier lost the previous two fights for the belt by choke. Since then he hasn’t gotten faster or stronger. On the contrary, the years take their toll, and at times Diamond no longer looks so fresh. The American, of course, will try to control the fight in the center of the octagon, using counterattacks and low kicks, but he needs to eliminate even the slightest mistake.
Training with Khabib will definitely help Islam choose the right strategy. Furthermore, Nurmagomedov already defeated Poirier. His experience will tell you how to deal with the contender for the belt. Makhachev will most likely keep his distance until he finds a way to take the fight to the ground to end it early. We think Makhachev will win by submission or choke for 1.79.
Tender: Makhachev’s victory by pain or suffocation in 1.79.
