Undisputed lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, scheduled to return at UFC 302 in early June, has the 'key' to an easy victory over his next opponent, former interim gold holder Dustin Poirier, in New Jersey. claim that there is.
Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and the promotion's flagship pound-for-pound ranked fighter, will make his first appearance inside the Octagon this summer at UFC 302 in Newark. He is scheduled to face Poirier in his return match.
Makhachev, who has been out of action since October last year, recently scored a stunning KO victory over then-featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovskiy in a hastily arranged rematch with high kicks and strikes in the first round. held the throne.
As for Poirier, the former interim titleholder co-headlined UFC 299 in March, snapping the Nîmes native's win streak with a second-round knockout of rising French contender Benoît Saint-Denis .
Islam Makhachev predicts easy fight against Dustin Poirier
And Makhachev, who has a fight booked against the Lafayette native in preparation for his return to active duty, is preparing for both a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan and a move to welterweight scheduled for later this year. He is reportedly expecting an “easy” fight against Poirier at UFC 302.
“Dustin (Poirier) is a legend. He has more experience than anyone in this sport,” Islam Makhachev told TMZ Sports. “But his problem is his style, and there's only one problem this guy has. His weaknesses are wrestling and grappling. And I just have the key to fighting effortlessly. , I think you can easily defeat him if you follow the plan.
“My style and Khabib's (Nurmagomedov) style are the worst styles for Dustin,” Islam Makhachev explained. “Anyone who can beat him and keep him there will always give him problems. And I'm not underestimating Poirier, because this guy is a legend and can beat anyone. Because I can. …Dustin, be ready, fight a lot. I'll defend my neck, I'm ready for your guillotine, it won't happen in our fight. The reason is.”
Do you think Islam Makhachev is overlooking Dustin Poirier?
