Dustin Poirier thinks Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway 2 could play out a little bit differently.
BMF Champion Max Holloway is in a ‘great spot’ following his unanimous decision win over the now-retired Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 last weekend. That’s what UFC CEO Dana White said at the post-fight press conference when he was asked where Holloway stands in the lightweight title picture.
Ilia Topuria, the first man to knock out Holloway in 35 fights, is the new champion after stopping Charles Oliveira with punches at UFC 317 in June.
Holloway and Topuria had a competitive fight at featherweight (145 lbs) up until the KO and if UFC 318 taught us anything, it’s that Holloway still has a chin on him after going five rounds with Poirier at 155 lbs.
Even so, Poirier says Holloway has his hands full with the champion Topuria.
Dustin Poirier says Max Holloway has to change up approach vs. Ilia Topuria
Speaking to Mike Bohn after his retirement fight against Holloway, Poirier weighed in on a potential rematch between Holloway and Topuria at lightweight, expressing some concern for his former foe.
“I think Max would have to change up his approach to the fight,” Poirier said.
“Use his lateral footwork like he did with me, stay on the bike, use his length…
“But, man, if Ilia lands on anybody from 145 to 170, if he lands clean, I think he puts guys out,” Poirier said of Topuria’s power.
“Maybe Max has a little bit more durability at 55,” Poirier suggested.
“Coming in a little bit healthier, a little bit more hydrated on fight night. Maybe that could play a little bit into him taking, being able to absorb the shots, but we’ll see.”
Dustin Poirier became the second UFC fighter to drop Max Holloway (officially)
Topuria beat Poirier to the punch when it came to dropping common opponent Max Holloway.
Holloway, known for his legendary chin, had never been knocked down prior to last year. But, Topuria changed that at UFC 308 when he stunned Holloway with punches, finishing the fight with a left hook.
According to the UFC statistics, this was the first recorded knockdown on Holloway—so, that would make Poirier the second fighter to drop Holloway officially. Poirier knocked down Holloway in the second round of their BMF title fight, attempting a guillotine submission right after.
There is debate on Gaethje being the first fighter to knock down Holloway as he dropped him with a punch in the fourth round at UFC 300. Unfortunately for Gaethje, it wasn’t ruled a knockdown on the UFC statistics, despite the fact Holloway himself says it was a knockdown.