With his legacy balancing on a knife edge, Dustin Poirier knows exactly what he can’t afford to do when he collides with Islam Makhachev.
On Saturday evening at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, ‘The Diamond’ will put it all on the line in the main event of UFC 302, in a desperate bid to prove to all the naysayers that he’s got the minerals to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Dustin Poirier has climbed the UFC mountain the hard way
While he doesn’t possess the talent of previous champions, Dustin Poirier has something just as important; heart.
Throughout his incredible career, the Louisiana native has earned a reputation as one of the most determined and ferocious fighters the sport has ever seen – with a never-say-attitude, Poirier has bounced back from adversity on more occasions than most could possibly comprehend.
Whether it was his loss to Conor McGregor in 2014 or his devastating title defeat at the hands of Khabib Nurmagomedov, the natural-born warrior has never given up on his dreams, doing everything in his power to reach the goal he set out from the moment he first walked into a gym.
Through blood, sweat and tears, the sporting icon has earned another shot at the belt, but he knows all too well that the challenge ahead will be anything but easy.
Dustin Poirier on what he needs to do to beat Islam Makhachev
In memories that must still leave Poirier with sleepless nights, the American has come agonisingly close to claiming UFC gold, only to have the rug swept from beneath his feet.
Not only did he have Khabib on the cusp of passing out with a guillotine in his first attempt at the belt, in his second title bout, he sent Charles Oliveira hurtling towards the canvas with a beautiful right hook.
Alas, on both occasions, the champions fought from the brink, eventually submitting Poirier, leaving the fan favourite wondering whether his time in the sun will ever come.
As ever, the mixed martial artist used those losses as lessons, and while his rival, Islam Makhachev, comes from the same school of grappling as Khabib, Poirier knows exactly what he has to avoid to finally reach the heights his talent deserves.
In an interview with TMZ, he explained: “People who try to slow the fight down and make it a grappling chess match. Those have been the hardest fights for me to get going because I do best when it stays a fight.
“When it doesn’t slow down, when it’s a scramble with punches flying and both of us bleeding, that’s where I do the best work, and I’m not trying to hold him down and win rounds. I’m trying to knock him out and hurt him and finish him and get out of there. That’s the way I fight.”
When asked what he needs to do to nullify Makhachev, Poirier, had a simple answer.
He said: “Be in the moment, be reactive to all of his shots. Don’t get overzealous throwing power shots where I take myself out of position and become an easy target for a trip or a takedown. Don’t play the clinch. There’s a list of things. Don’t play in the clinch with him. He has really good foot sweeps, really strong upper body. Keep it a fight. Use my wheels. Stay moving. Keep him guessing and then tighten him up.”
But as strong as his mindset is, Makhachev has a secret weapon.
Islam Makhachev will have Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner at UFC 302
Not only is Makhachev close friends with a man who has been in the cage with Poirier and come out on top, but he’ll also have him on hand for advice for his headline bout on Saturday night.
Blessed with an incredible understanding of the sport, Khabib will utilise his insight into his old foe’s game to give his teammate the highest possible chance of defending his belt.
The duo grew up together in Dagestan, Russia, forging a bond in fire that has taken them all the way to UFC superstardom.
Competing against the best sambo competitors on the planet, the pair of titans amassed a bulletproof mentality that gives them an edge on any man who dares set foot in the cage with them.
With a huge smile on his face, Makhachev watched in awe as Khabib cemented his place as a genuine sporting great, before walking away from the sport to allow him to do the same thing.
But as much adoration as the reigning 155-pound King has for his buddy, he actually attributes his success to someone else.