Difference Between Khabib & Islam Makhachev Gives Dustin Poirier a Shot at Redemption, Says Anthony Smith

Current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is returning to the octagon in UFC 302 against Dustin Poirier next. The latter won UFC 299 marvelously against Benoit Saint-Denis with a knockout and etched his place as a worthy opponent. However, Makhachev had previously declined to face Poirier but then agreed to fight him since other options were closed.

‘The Diamond’ however, did not like the casual comments of Makhachev and his previous decline so UFC 302 might be dangerous and even fans are excited for this bout. In the meantime, Anthony Smith, who is freshly coming off his win in UFC 301 against Vitor Petrino had a pretty different verdict about this fight. 

Anthony Smith declares his judgment on Makhachev vs Poirier

The UFC 301 Light heavyweight fighter and the winner against Petrino spoke to ESPN MMA about UFC 302 which will commence in New Jersey on Saturday, June 1st. ‘Lionheart’ had a pretty straightforward ruling when it came to the Makhachev vs Poirier fight, and he said that the bout was not as, “cookie cutter as everyone wants to make it.”

The 35-year-old seamlessly broke down the difference between Khabib and Makhachev’s fighting style and how Poirier could have the upper hand while fighting Makhachev. He narrated that Makhachev was more keen on engaging in more areas than Khabib did in his fight with Poirier. Smith also stated that Islam was a better fighter, but his style gave Poirier more ways and areas to succeed. He also pointed out that ‘The Diamond’ was dangerous on his feet, which has been acknowledged by his current opponent as well. 

Then the Lionheart concluded, “I think this fight is much closer than a lot of people give it credit for and I think Dustin Poirier knows this is his probably his last opportunity to win undisputed gold…Can he keep Islam off his back? I don’t know we are going to find out.” Even if Poirier and Makhachev are not a big “cookie cutter” as Smith puts it, the fighters have their strategies in place and Makhachev even disclosed his technique before the fight. 

Islam Makhachev reveals his game plan against Poirier

Before UFC 302, the lightweight champ revealed his plans against Poirier even though he labeled the latter “dangerous”. He also mentioned that Poirier’s guillotine choke did not scare him. While replying to Daniel Cormier’s topic about the guillotine choke, he had said, “Brother, honestly I respect him but. Okay, I don’t respect his guillotine but all his skills. Because I never see him finish someone in the guillotine. Maybe one day, but it’s not gonna be me.”

During the fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov, even though he won against ‘The Diamond’, there was a point where Poirier had the upper hand with the guillotine choke in place. However, Makhachev was confident in his technique, which he learned from Nurmagomedov. Makhachev revealed that he would let Poirier catch hold of him in that choke to let him get the upper hand and this would make Poirier exhausted. After that Makhachev would attack. 

Do you think this technique will work? Now that Makhachev has revealed his secret, will Poirier use the guillotine choke anymore against him?