Undisputed lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, officially set to enter the Octagon for the first time this year since last October, will face his next opponent Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June before ending his suspension. He vowed to fight off his submission attempts and win off his back.
Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, has been out of action since October of last year and recently began a two-fight rivalry with former champion Alexander Volkanovski. The first round ended with a high kick and a KO. win.
As for former interim gold holder Poirier, the veteran lightweight mainstay returned to winning ways at UFC 299 in March, scoring his own second-round knockout over French contender Benoit Saint-Denis. After that, he campaigned for the title match. Makhachev.
Now it has been officially confirmed that he will return to action against Poirier at UFC 302 in Newark in June. Makhachev will defend his 155-pound title for the third consecutive year in his first fight against the lightweight challenger. trying to succeed.
Islam Makhachev predicts submission win at UFC 302
Makhachev offered his predictions for a top-flight return for the UFC 302 title fight, fending off a guillotine choke attempt from Lafayette striker Poirier before vowing to finish with a submission victory of his own.
“It's the same thing. I'll take him (Dustin Poirier) down. He'll try to give me the guillotine,” Islam Makhachev said. MMA Junkie During a recent interview. “And I'm going to grab him by the back and strangle him.”
Poirier, a Louisiana native, is looking to become the undisputed lightweight champion in his third attempt, winning interim gold with a unanimous decision win over his two opponent Max Holloway in 2019. .
That same year, Poirier faced Makhachev's close friend, training partner and coach Khabib Nurmagomedov in a title unification bout, but suffered a crushing defeat in the third round by rear-naked choke.
Poirier, who returned in 2021 for a title fight against common enemy Charles Oliveira, during which the Brazilian reigned, got off to a good start against the Sao Paulo finisher, but was stopped in the third round standing in the main event fight. – Submitted by rear naked choke.
Who will win at UFC 302 in New Jersey: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?
