Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier step into the Octagon on Saturday for a lightweight title fight headlining UFC 302.
Makhachev is riding an impressive 12-fight win streak and will be putting his title on the line for the third time. His previous two defenses were to then-UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski who he beat by decision and later by a first-round knockout.
Poirier is coming off a win over Benoît Saint-Denis but hasn't had a solid three-fight win streak since he beat Dan Hooker and Conor McGregor back-to-back between 2020 and 2021. He's already voiced his desire to potentially retire after this fight which could be an indication of him taking additional risks to go out with a bang.
With the stakes being so high for both men DAZN lists the keys to victory for Makhachev and Poirier ahead of their mega bout.
Islam Makhachev's keys to victory
Keep things safe
Makhachev shouldn't try anything new or exciting with Porier. It may not excite the fans but we all know there's only one real tried and true way to victory for Makhachev and he needs to respect that. Ignore the boos, stay the course, and secure the title.
Wrestle, wrestle, wrestle
The key to beating Poirier is to take him down and hold him there. Much like Makhachev's first fight with Volkanovski, he needs to lean on his superior wrestling skills. A submission won't come easy, but it could be there if he tires him out first.
"If I follow the plan, I can beat him easy," Makhachev told TMZ about Poirier. "My style and Khabib’s style, it’s the worst style for Dustin. People who can take him down, hold him there, it always gives him problems.”
Stay against the fence
Poirier is probably going to want to stand and bang with Makhachev and he can't give him any room to do that. He needs to put him against the cage and clinch if he can't secure the takedown. He needs to stay out of the way of Poirier's hands.
Dustin Poirier's keys to victory
Stay on the feet
It's a no-brainer that Poirier needs to stand and strike with Makhachev. The champ does have some finishes on the feet so he can't be too relaxed in the stand-up but for this fight, we think Makhachev will be looking to win, not to finish. If Poirier can keep the fight on the feet, he'll have a better chance at landing a haymaker.
Sprawl and brawl
When Makhachev inevitably goes for the takedown, Poirier needs to sprawl and then get right back up and back to brawling. He should not try to jump the gilly, as much as he may want to. He's got to avoid the ground with Makhachev at all costs.
Keep things dirty
Contrary to Makhachev, Poirier should get dirty in this fight. He needs to throw everything he has, get wild, and make Makhachev wonder. If Poirier really is going to retire after this fight he needs to risk it all. A wild, unexpected fight is exactly what Poirer wants.
"... I find ways to win in the chaotic moments, I know it seems crazy, but that is where I feel the best, where I do my best work, when I’m am underdog, when my back is against the wall, when bullets are flying, when bloods flowing, that is where I find ways to win,” Poirier said on UFC Countdown.
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