Introduced this week, Islam Makhachev may have his previous coaching companion and all time UFC nice Khabib Nurmagomedov in his nook for this weekend’s battle 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 issues with COVID-19, Khabib mentioned his moms needs had been that he doesn’t compete anymore in MMA and that he revered the needs of his mom. He continued coaching, although not as intense, and acquired a younger MMA promotion, rebranding to Eagle FC.
In latest months, it’s come out that Khabib Nurmagomedov has been in sizzling water with the Russian authorities for owing $3 million in again taxes along 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 along with his palms 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 towards a former foe of Khabib and a very long time staple of the division.
“Combating Khabib was like preventing 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 hanging is, it might be Khabib. In spherical two of the 2’s 2019 battle, Poirier clipped Khabib which despatched Khabib in an enormous retreat.
Dustin Poirier: Going for broke
This may occasionally or is probably not the ultimate battle 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 probably the most sport fighter within the UFC in the present day. His earlier battle with Benoit Saint-Denis and the forthcoming battle with Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 are the most recent manifestations of that.
There’s something to be mentioned about Poirier considering retirement for therefore lengthy. Having a foot out the door can finish unhealthy 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 may have nothing to lose. He can go for broke. Bounce the guillotine. Swing for the fences. A free Dustin Poirier is a harmful fighter. That consciousness is what Khabib Nurmagomedov will deliver to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.
Islam Makhachev: Convey out the singlet
This isn’t to say Islam Makhachev has deserted his wrestling. The second battle with Volkanovski ended too shortly for him to actually have the chance to shoot. The primary noticed him go 4 of 9 on his takedown makes an attempt. As a substitute, I absolutely anticipate an Islam Makhachev that we noticed towards Bobby Inexperienced and Dan Hooker.
Shoot the takedown, punish, sub.
Poirier has an affinity for leaping guillotine. He did it towards Khabib and had followers screaming when the choke appeared deep. Even Khabib admitted the choke was setup.
In opposition to Saint-Denis, Dustin Poirier obsessively hunted the guillotine and the Frenchman made him pay for it. Poirier gave up almost a full spherical of management time and regarded on his method out earlier than ending Saint-Denis.
Give these positions up towards Islam Makhachev and it is going to be an extended evening for “The Diamond.” Makhachev is an skilled finisher who isn’t any stranger to extending time in positions to seek out probably the most optimum end.
Count on a grinding efficiency from Makhachev at UFC 302. With Poirier’s latest knockouts of Saint-Denis and Conor McGregor, anticipate Khabib to urgently name for the takedown early and as typically because it takes.
