Introduced this week, Islam Makhachev can have his previous coaching companion and all time UFC nice Khabib Nurmagomedov in his nook for this weekend’s struggle at UFC 302. He takes on Louisiana legend Dustin Poirier in what is probably going his closing bid for undisputed UFC gold.
Islam Makhachev departing from the unique plan
Since Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from MMA in 2020, he’s had a love/hate relationship with the game that introduced him to worldwide fame. After his father handed away because of problems with COVID-19, Khabib mentioned his moms needs have been that he doesn’t compete anymore in MMA and that he revered the desires of his mom. He continued coaching, although not as intense, and purchased a younger MMA promotion, rebranding to Eagle FC.
In current months, it’s come out that Khabib Nurmagomedov has been in scorching water with the Russian authorities for owing $3 million in again taxes together with his financial institution accounts, his charity, and Eagle FC primarily blocked. Hypothesis apart, he’s again in Islam Makhachev’s nook.
In his final two fights, Islam Makhachev has seemingly fallen in love together with his arms and it’s gotten him right into a hair of hassle at a pair factors in his first bout with Alexander Volkanovski. The second Volkanovski bout ended when Makhachev knocked him out within the first spherical.
Now with Khabib within the nook of Makhachev once more, followers might anticipate an emphasis on grappling in opposition to a former foe of Khabib and a very long time staple of the division.
“Combating Khabib was like combating a person in a room filled with mirrors.” – Dustin Poirier pic.twitter.com/A566ynxLcq
— Ethan (@fightexpert_) April 24, 2024
If anybody is aware of how harmful Dustin Poirier’s putting is, it could be Khabib. In spherical two of the 2’s 2019 struggle, Poirier clipped Khabib which despatched Khabib in an enormous retreat.
Dustin Poirier: Going for broke
This will likely or might not be the ultimate struggle of Dustin Poirier’s profession. Now 35 yeas of age, Poirier has set himself up properly for a post-fight life. We’ve already talked about Poirier being essentially the most recreation fighter within the UFC in the present day. His earlier struggle with Benoit Saint-Denis and the forthcoming struggle with Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 are the newest manifestations of that.
There’s something to be mentioned about Poirier considering retirement for therefore lengthy. Having a foot out the door can finish dangerous for a fighter whose coronary heart isn’t in it anymore. However there’s something to be mentioned about having nothing left to lose ought to Poirier be intent to hanging the gloves up, win or lose, this weekend.
Dustin Poirier can have nothing to lose. He can go for broke. Leap the guillotine. Swing for the fences. A free Dustin Poirier is a harmful fighter. That consciousness is what Khabib Nurmagomedov will carry to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.
Islam Makhachev: Deliver out the singlet
This isn’t to say Islam Makhachev has deserted his wrestling. The second struggle with Volkanovski ended too rapidly for him to essentially have the chance to shoot. The primary noticed him go 4 of 9 on his takedown makes an attempt. As an alternative, I totally anticipate an Islam Makhachev that we noticed in opposition to Bobby Inexperienced and Dan Hooker.
Shoot the takedown, punish, sub.
Poirier has an affinity for leaping guillotine. He did it in opposition to Khabib and had followers screaming when the choke appeared deep. Even Khabib admitted the choke was a great setup.
Towards Saint-Denis, Dustin Poirier obsessively hunted the guillotine and the Frenchman made him pay for it. Poirier gave up practically a full spherical of management time and appeared on his approach out earlier than ending Saint-Denis.
Give these positions up in opposition to Islam Makhachev and it will likely be an extended night time for “The Diamond.” Makhachev is an skilled finisher who isn’t any stranger to extending time in positions to seek out essentially the most optimum end.
Anticipate a grinding efficiency from Makhachev at UFC 302. With Poirier’s current knockouts of Saint-Denis and Conor McGregor, anticipate Khabib to urgently name for the takedown early and as typically because it takes.
