With the third title defense on the line, Islam Makhachev is preparing to defend his lightweight belt against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. Interestingly, it will be Poirier’s third endeavor for the lightweight title as well. The anticipation for the fight is off the roof with Poirier being the underdog for the fight. ‘Diamond’s last fight against Benoit-Saint Denis was a masterclass that drew him closer to the title.

However, there was an instance in the fight where he was trying to submit the French fighter going against the advice of their coaches. During the first two rounds, Poirier jumped on to have a guillotine choke on the Frenchman but he diverted it, however, in the second round, Poirier knocked him out. After the victory, Poirier’s guillotine choke became a sensation in the MMA community. Fans are even positive that Poirier would win his bout against Makhachev by way of a choke.

Nonetheless, the theory might work well in the books but in reality, Islam Makhachev seems to have a plan to counter Poirier’s choke. While having a conversation with Mike Bohn of MMAJunkie, Makhachev stated that he would not even let Poirier have any control of the match. “I will take him down, he will try to give me guillotine, and I will take him back and choke it. That’s it.”

During the conversation, Islam Makhachev argued that Poirier would be a good opponent for his Dagestani wrestling considering his fascination with the guillotine choke. Nonetheless, the lightweight champ seems to be confident about his victory and the MMA community seems to have diverging opinions on the statements.

Fans show divergent opinions to Islam Makhachev’s statements

Islam Makhachev has alr͏eady de͏fen͏ded his bel͏t͏ twi͏ce, and that too ͏against Alexander Volkanovski. This ͏͏time, he is set to f͏a͏ce one ͏of the greats of the lightweight division, and it seems like he is pla͏nnin͏g t͏o s͏ubmit P͏o͏irier in͏ a similar mann͏er to what w͏as͏ done by Khabib Nurmagomedov when he fac͏ed Poi͏rier. However, the fans seem to have some other opinion. Some of the reactions by the fans are as follows:-

Starting off, a fan started the conversation by stating that Team Khabib’s usual plan is to tell the plan beforehand and execute it with near perfection.

Khabib team always tell the exact plan, yet no one can find the answer

Furthermore, a fan warned Poirier not to jump on that guillotine choke.

Please don’t jump the gilly Dustin

Moreover, a fan seems to be not a big fan of wrestling.

Great…. more nut hugging for 5 rounds

This will be Dustin Poirier’s thrid attempt at the lightweight title. If he manages to clinch the victory then it would be one of the most historic moments of the game.

If DP wins it will be the greatest moment in UFC history

Moreover, fans seem to be living in reality.

Dustin will definitely get subbed again, sad but true.

Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Dustin Poirier through a rear naked choke back in UFC 242 and that was a title fight as well. A fan argues that Poirier might go down in the same manner.

That’s exactly what Khabib did too lmao

Poirier is already 35 years old and this might be his last outing for the lightweight title. Nonetheless, Islam Makhachev might seem a mountain to move but will ‘Diamond’ move it through sheer force? What is your take on their fight? Do you think Dustin Poirier has what it takes to defeat Islam Makhachev?