UFC
Conor McGregor And Fellow UFC Stars Predict Makhachev vs. Poirier
Makhachev vs. Poirier predictions. Photo USA Today and Instagram
The highly anticipated lightweight title bout rematch between reigning champion Islam Makhachev and two-time challenger, and former interim champ Dustin Poirier is headlining Saturday’s UFC 302 in Newark.
The fight is extra interesting since Poirier challenged Makachev’s coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, for the lightweight strap back in 2019. A win for the American would somehow avenge the tough loss.
Click “Next” to check out how UFC fighters predict the exciting title bout!
Conor McGregor
Photo: Jeff Bottari – USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Poirier
Former lightweight champion Conor McGregor picks his former foe over the reigning title holder.
“I think Dustin does him, knocks him out,” McGregor says. “I think the things that Makhachev does wrong, the things he’s not good at, he fumbles over his feet usually early on and falls into shots. He’s been knocked out by a back check hook from a southpaw before inside the UFC, and that’s one of Dustin’s best shots. If Dustin’s ever going to do it, it’ll be this time.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomodov. Photo: USA Today
Pick: Makhachev
Khabib Nurmagomedov, who fought Dustin Poirier back in 2019, thinks people underestimate the American veteran.
”I have a good sense of his strengths and weaknesses. We are working hard on these aspects,” Nurmagomedov says. ”I really hope that Islam will finish him off in the second or third round.”
Alexander Volkanovski
Photo via UFC (Twitter)
Pick: Makhachev
Former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who fought Islam Makachev twice, predicts that the champ will put the American away.
“I think Islam is that good where it’s going to be a finish,” Volkanovski says. “I think it’s going to be a submission finish.”
Charles Oliveira
Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira . Photo via Twitter (UFC)
Pick: Makhachev
Former lightweight champion Charles ”do Bronx” Oliveira got Makhachev as the winner on Saturday.
“Every striker that faces Islam is going to be the same thing, [Makhachev] will take you down and have bigger chances at winning,” Oliveira says. “But we’re talking about MMA, and one hand, one strike that lands can definitely get you the victory.”
”Dustin Poirier has shown that in his last fight, he’s shown that many times already. He has heavy hands and hits hard, so he definitely can knock him out, but I think Islam remains as champion.”
Jamahal Hill
Jamahal Hill. Photo via Instagram (@sweet_dreams_jhill)
Pick: 50/50
Former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill can see the fight go both ways, even though Makachev is a big betting favorite.
”It’s a fight,” Hill says. ”Dustin can put anybody out at 155.”
Arman Tsarukyan
Arman Tsarukyan. Photo via YouTube
Pick: Makhachev
Top ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan believes both fighters got what it takes, but still see Machaev as the favorite if he plays his cards right.
“I see Islam is going to try and push him to the cage, to take him down and try to hold him, submit him,” Tsarukyan says. “But if he can’t do that, it’s going to be dangerous. If he wants to box him, I think Dustin Poirier on a different level.”
“His punch, his speed, he can knock him out very fast. That’s why Islam’s got to try to take him down right away. For me, the favorite is Islam on this fight, but like I can put money on Dustin Poirier KO, because it could happen.”
Justin Gathje
Photo via Instagram (@justin_gaethje)
Pick: 50/50
Justin Gaethje was just one win away from getting a shot for lightweight gold but lost to Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April.
”I don’t know who’s gonna win. You know, I think, obviously, Makhachev should win, but Poirier’s a dog. Fighting is a crazy game. So anything can happen.”
Michael Chandler
Photo: Troy Taormina – USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Makhachev
Top ranked Michael Chandler thinks the champ will finish Poirier inside 25 minutes.
“Islam has the wrestling, grappling, strength, size advantage, and I think Islam finishes him, to be honest,” Chandler says. “It’s a title fight Islam is more versed in.”
Jiri Prochazka
Jiri Prochazka. Photo via Instagram (@jirkaprochazka)
Pick: Makhachev
The former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka is a big fan of Poirier, but still thinks Makachev will pull it off in the end.
”I think there are more chances on the side of Islam,” Prochazka says.
Henry Cejudo
Photo via Instagram (@henry_cejudo)
Pick: Makhachev
Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo believes that Poirier is a future Hall of Famer, thinks the reigning champion’s determination and team will make a difference on Saturday.
”I’m going for Islam Makhachev,” Cejudo says.
Paul Craig
Makhachev vs. Poirier predictions. Photo via Instagram (@paulcraig)
Pick: Makhachev
Scottish middleweight Paul Craigh doesn’t give ”The Diamond” much of a chance on Saturday.
”That grappling is impressive. It just wears on you. And Dustin comes from that knockout,” Craig says.
Alex Perez
Alex Perez. Photo via Instagram (@alexperezmma)
Pick: Poirier
Top 5 ranked UFC flyweight Alex Perez think we will see a new champion after UFC 302, since Makhachev is not as good of a fighter as Nurmagomedov.
”I think Dustin brings power with his hands and has good grappling,” Perez explains.
Chase Hooper
Chase Hooper. Photo via Instagram: (@choop556)
Pick: Makhachev
UFC lightweight Chase ”Teenage Dream” Hooper got Makhachev as the winner in New Jersey.
”I can’t pick against Islam at this point,” Hooper says.
UFC 302 Fight Card
Makhachev vs. Poirier predictions. Photo via UFC
Main card
- Lightweight bout: Islam Makhachev (c) vs. Dustin Poirier
- Middleweight bout: Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa
- Middleweight bout: Kevin Holland vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk
- Heavyweight bout: Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Romanov
- Welterweight bout: Randy Brown vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
Preliminary card
- Middleweight bout: Cesar Almeida vs. Roman Kopylov
- Lightweight bout: Grant Dawson vs. Joe Solecki
- Welterweight bout: Philip Rowe vs. Jake Matthews
- Welterweight bout: Niko Price vs. Alex Morono
Early preliminary card
- Welterweight bout: Mickey Gall vs. Bassil Hafez
- Women’s Bantamweight bout: Ailin Perez vs. Joselyne Edwards
* Fight card is a subject of change.
Read more: Karlos Vemola Talks ‘Life Or Death’ Approach To Final MMA Fight Dubbed ‘Rematch Of The Century’