The UFC lightweight champion is drawing on the experience of Khabib Nurmagomedov as he prepares to face Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 this weekend.
For many within the MMA community, predicting the winner of the UFC 302 main event comes down to ‘heart vs head’ – but if there’s anyone who knows just how dangerous of an opponent Dustin Poirier can be in the octagon, it’s Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Khabib predicts Poirier’s experience will see him survive the first round
Not only has Khabib Nurmagomedov been preparing Islam Makhachev for his lightweight title defense at UFC 302 this weekend, but ‘The Eagle’ is also in charge of the champion’s Fight Week VLOG series.
Speaking via his official YouTube channel, Khabib shared that he’s using all of his personal history with ‘The Diamond’ to help Makhachev get in the right headspace ahead of the upcoming main event showcase:
“Many people underestimate Dustin Poirier, I personally fought him, spent three rounds and over 10 minutes with him, and I have a good sense of his strengths and weaknesses. We are working hard on these aspects.
“Dustin Poirier is very experienced; he’s been in many battles already. Yes, he has lost, but he also has many victories in the UFC, more than 22 or 23 wins… Using our slang, he is a seasoned warrior. You can’t take him lightly.”
Khabib then revealed that whilst many within Makhachev’s camp are picking a first-round submission victory, he’s predicting that Poirier’s experience will see him survive the first five minutes of the contest:
“We have great respect for Dustin, but on June 1st, he is our opponent. We have a clearly developed plan for the fight, and I believe Islam will follow it… I really hope that Islam will finish him off in the second or third rounds.”
Makhachev himself explained that almost as soon as Khabib stepped through the doors, they immediately began training together based on the personal insights that he’s bringing to the camp.
“When Khabib [Nurmagomedov] was preparing for him [Poirier], we trained together, and I was already involved in the discussion of the fight preparation plan against Dustin.”
“I don’t think the preparation and plan for the fight will differ much because we know Dustin’s strengths and weaknesses,” said the Russian juggernaut.
Islam Makhachev’s coach claims he’ll outbox Dustin Poirier at UFC 302
If the vast majority of UFC fans and fighters are expecting Makhachev to come out against Poirier with a wrestling-heavy gameplan, there are some who are predicting that the champion will choose to keep the fight on the feet.
Veteran trainer Magomedgadzhi Bagandov is one of those people, with the coach noting that they consider it a positive thing that Makhachev’s striking credentials are being overlooked:
“Islam Makhachev is a versatile fighter… Everyone talks about his wrestling, but I think he hasn’t fully revealed his skills in striking… This is actually a good thing, as he will surprise many.”
“Even in interviews, many people analyze him [because] in my opinion, as a striking coach, he hasn’t fully revealed his potential in this area… So, yes, he is a versatile fighter, [but] I am looking forward to the fight where he will show this aspect of his abilities.”
Bagandov even went as far as to claim that Makhachev possesses better striking than ‘The Diamond’, which will certainly raise a few eyebrows as UFC 302 etches closer and closer:
“I’ve been following Poirier for a long time. In terms of striking technique, he has a unique fighting style. Islam doesn’t just hold his own against him; if he doesn’t engage recklessly, Islam surpasses him.”
“Even if you put wrestling aside, in my opinion, Islam can outbox him in pure boxing and Muay Thai. There are no aspects in which Islam lags behind.”
Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier headlines UFC 302 this weekend from Newark, New Jersey.