Makhachev And Poirier Separated During Intense Stare Down – ‘Islam Looks Terrified’
Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier had a heated face-off at their final pre-fight presser before their UFC 302 clash on June 1.
Makhachev defends his UFC Lightweight Title for the third time, which he picked up against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in 2022. He is coming off the best wins of his career, having stopped Alexander Volkanovski in his last two fights. Islam has also been training with Khabib Nurmagomedov, who beat Poirier at UFC 242 in 2019. Khabib will also be in Islam’s corner come fight night.
Dustin is chasing his first world title, with speculation that he could retire after this fight. He has said he will choose a unique walkout song while claiming the importance of winning the belt for his family. Poirier has lost in world title fights against Khabib and Oliveira for the lightweight belt.
The Diamond was also stopped by Justin Gaethje at UFC 291 for the BMF Title. That has understandably made Makhachev the favorite. The current odds make Islam the 650 favorite, while Poirier is +470. When the face-off came, both men were separated by security after they shared some verbals.
In chief support, Sean Strickland faces Paulo Costa. Strickland aims to bounce back from his loss to Dricus Du Plessis, as he lost his UFC Middleweight Title. Costa is also coming off a loss to Robert Whittaker. That was a setback after having beaten Luke Rockhold in his last bout. The winner could put themselves in position for a title shot.
Face Off
“Honestly, I think I am the best fighter in the world right now. That’s why it’s going to be a bad day for Dustin. He has problems with the wrestlers always and I will give him that problem. I respect him, but when he faces with some high-level fighters who have wrestling and grappling, he always has problems. If not [for] me, Khabib [Nurmagomedov] or [Charles] Oliveira, he [could] be champion. I feel bad for him, but when he meet some good wrestlers and grapplers, he always has the same problem. I have to [use this submission] because his guillotine is always looking bad. He always makes some joke about the guillotine. I have to show him how to do it right,” Makhachev said
“I do my best work, when I’m am underdog, when my back is against the wall, when bullets are flying, when bloods flowing, that is where I find ways to win. I’m also a realist, I’m 35, how many more times would I have to put myself in position again? It’s safe to say this is my last shot at becoming the champion of the world.
“This is a chance to say I did it, I did what I said I was going to do when I was 18 years old. It’s a personal thing, it’s not for the fans, it’s not for the Hall of Fame, it’s for me and my wife to hug and say you really did it…All the ups and down of the last 17 years, all the lessons I’ve learned, at UFC 302, I’m going to knock Islam Makhachev out and become the world champion,” Poirier stated
Highlights
Full Card
Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier
Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa
Kevin Holland vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
Niko Price vs. Alex Morono
Randy Brown vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
Roman Kopylov vs. Cesar Almeida
Jailton Almeida vs. Alexandr Romanov
Grant Dawson vs. Joe Solecki
Phil Rowe vs. Jake Matthews
Mickey Gall vs. Bassil Hafez
Joselyne Edwards vs. Ailin Perez
Andre Lima vs. Mitch Raposo
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