Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier Prediction: The result is predictable

UFC 302 will take place in the United States on the night of 2 June, headed by a title fight between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier. Interestingly, Islam will be defending the belt for the first time against a "real" lightweight.

Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev was on his way to the title for a long time, he defeated everyone he was given, but the leaders of the rankings were afraid to meet him, as it would be more expensive. But in the autumn of 2022 there was no place to retreat, and the league organised a fight for the belt with Charles Oliveira, which ended predictably - the Brazilian was knocked out in the second round.

Makhachev then fought twice with Alex Volkanovski, who moved up a category to become a double champion. Both fights ended in victory for the Russian, with the second being a hard knockout with a leg kick to the head as early as the first round.

Islam Makhachev, a close friend of Khabib Nurmagomedov, competes at the same weight, and fans have no choice but to compare the skills and achievements of these fighters.

Makhachev fights differently, he's probably inferior to Khabib in grappling, pressure and physical conditioning, but definitely better in the stand-up and more successful with sambo. All this controversy should answer one main question - can Islam surpass the achievements of his older mate? We believe that he definitely can. Khabib has had only three title defences, Islam has already had two. Besides, Makhachev is quite capable of moving up a division and becoming a double champion. But Khabib had Conor McGregor and the "fight of the century", and Islam, of course, does not have such global opposition, and is unlikely to have it.

The fight with Dustin Poirier is just another step towards Makhachev's greatness, and according to analysts, fans and bookmakers, not a very difficult one.

Dustin Poirier

Dustin Poirier is one of the guys who shaped the glory of the lightweight division and made it the most interesting, most competitive division in the league. He became champion in 2019 (defeating Max Holloway on points), but he didn't hold the belt for long - Khabib took the title from him in his next fight.

Poirier is now 35 years old, and he is still somewhere near the top - at the fourth position in the rankings. Dustin continues to fight the best of the best, but he was choked out by Charles Oliveira and knocked out by Justin Gagey).

In his last fight, Poirier finished Benoit Saint-Denis, proving once again that it's too early to write him off as a gatekeeper (although the first round made his fans quite nervous).

Dustin feels great in the stand-up, his boxing is great, his timing and footwork can be written in textbooks. As for the wrestling, it's also very good, even if he doesn't go into the parterre unnecessarily. Perhaps his wrestling is not on the level of Makhachev or Oliveira, but still Poirier is the only fighter who really threatened Khabib, which Nurmagomedov called "the most difficult moment in his career".

Expert Betting Tips

This fight won't be like two drops similar to Khabib and Poirier's fight, although Islam's task is the same - to deliver a kickdown and finish. To be honest, it's hard to imagine how Dustin will build a defence against transfers, and that's probably the main argument of those who don't believe in him.

Most likely Makhachev will start cautiously, adjusting to his opponent's boxing, defending with low kicks. He probably keeps in his head the possibility of high kicks, which, as it turned out, Dustin doesn't like very much. Poirier is inferior to the Russian in wrestling, speed, and physical strength, but he has a powerful punch and the heart of a champion on his side. Will that be enough to win? We don't think so. It's possible that the American will be dangerous for a couple of rounds, but then he will inevitably sour and turn from a hunter into a victim.