UFC Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev sees himself as being on ‘different level’ to Dustin Poirier heading into their UFC 302 headline bout.
The pair will meet in the main event on Saturday (June 1) night, to round out an explosive card in Newark, New Jersey.
The bout will be the first time Makhachev has squared off against a new face since 2022, having had two consecutive bouts against Alexander Volkanovski. Speaking to the media during fight week, the champion is relieved to be facing a fresh face, admitting he is not too much of a fan of rematches. He said:
“Yeah. I don't like rematches because you don't have new motivation. Always, you need to find some new target, new goal, but when you have a rematch, it's (the) same, you know, same opponent, the same sparring partners. That's why I always want to have some new names.”
In an interesting side line to the bout, Poirier met Makhachev’s coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov back in 2019. When asked if he believes Poirier has changed as a fighter, the Russian admitted he feels that his opponent has just got older and went as far as to say he doesn’t think Poirier and his team feel like ‘The Diamond’ can stop him.
“Honestly, he's the same, maybe become more old and he doesn't believe he can beat me, his coach doesn't believe he can beat me and I know I can make this fight easy.”
The wrestle heavy Dagistani style has proven to be an extremely effect way to go about a fight and Makhachev sees the way he goes about business inside the octagon as the worst possible, for someone like Poirier.
“Honestly, my style is the worst style for him, that's why. He can beat some strikers, he’s like one of the best striker in this game... but we're not strikers, we are MMA fighters and my skills are on different level.”
With six submission wins under his belt since signing with the UFC, it is no secret as to where the champion and his team feel he is strongest. When asked if he would be tempted to stand and strike with the hard hitting Poirier, Makhachev kept his cards close to his chest but did reveal what he believes would be his easiest path to victory.
“I can strike with him but I told you guys if I want to make this fight easy, I know the way and everybody knows the way. Always when his opponents pressure him, take him down he has the same problems, always.”
Heading into the contest, there is a lot of speculation as to whether Poirier will hang up the gloves if he is unsuccessful on Saturday night. As much as Makhachev sees himself as being on a different level to Poirier, the champion still has a lot of respect for what ‘The Diamond has done in the sport and hopes he continues irrespective of the result. He said:
“I hope he doesn’t retire after this fight and I think he's a legend, he's one of the biggest name in this sport, that's why I respect him.
“I respect him here because he has a lot, of crazy fights in this sport and (I’m) just happy to beat someone who has a big name like Dustin, you know, because for the legacy, it's going to be maybe the biggest name in my list.”
Watch the full interview, below:
