On Sunday, June 2, Islam Makhachev defends his lightweight title (-70 kg) against Dustin Poirier, who defeated Benoît Saint-Denis last March. The main event of UFC 302 promises to be explosive!
Can Dustin Poirier pull off the upset? What will our prediction for this UFC match be? After knocking out Benoît Saint-Denis in the second round last March, ‘The Diamond’ (30-8-1NC) returns to the octagon to face the division’s champion: Islam Makhachev. The Dagestani (25-1), coming off two victories against Alexander Volkanovski, seems unstoppable. Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Dan Hooker, Thiago Moises… All have fallen to Makhachev. Will Dustin Poirier be next?
Is Islam Makhachev truly invincible?
Twenty-five wins, one loss: Islam Makhachev’s record is simply impressive. Often compared to his compatriot Khabib Nurmagomedov, the Russian is the epitome of a complete fighter. An excellent wrestler (probably the best in his division), he is constantly improving in his striking, as evidenced by the impressive KO he delivered to Alexander Volkanovski with a high kick in the first round.
According to Dustin Poirier himself, in an interview with The MMA Hour: “Islam is a bit more of a threat [than Khabib] when it comes to jiu-jitsu in ground wrestling situations, and he is better than Khabib in striking.” Based on this premise, and knowing that Dustin Poirier was defeated by Khabib, it’s hard to see how the American could win. Especially since Poirier was dominated on the ground by BSD throughout the first round. However, there is a glimmer of hope: Poirier’s punching power.
As he showed against BSD, ‘The Diamond’ is capable of turning off any fighter’s lights with a hook or an uppercut. Interestingly, Islam Makhachev’s only defeat (to Adriano Martins in 2015) was an unexpected KO in a fight where he came in very confident. But the Dagestani has gained experience and knows what not to do: box with Poirier and avoid the American’s guillotine (which he attempts in every fight).
Our Prediction
We predict a victory for Islam Makhachev by submission in the second round, after controlling the entire fight.