Islam Makhachev thinks former opponent Dustin Poirier will end his career on a high at UFC 318.
Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) submitted Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) in a Fight of the Year contender at UFC 302 in June 2024. More than 13 months later, “The Diamond” will step into the octagon one last time for his retirement bout when he meets Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) in a trilogy bout for the BMF belt in the July 19 headliner at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
There has been mixed analysis from across the sport about Poirier going into his swan song. One former UFC lightweight champ in Eddie Alvarez has concerns about pre-determined retirement fights, but Makhachev, the man who had the most defenses in 155-pound history, thinks knowing it’s his farewell will bring up Poirier’s level.
“I think Dustin will win,” Makhachev told MMA Junkie. “He told me this is his last fight and I think he’s going to be ready. He’s going to be ready. He’s going to win, I think.”
Aside from thinking he wins the fight against Holloway from a skill perspective, as he did when he submitted “Blessed” in their first meeting in February 2012 then outgunned him in a thrilling five-round rematch in 2019, Makhachev admits he has a personal rooting interest.
Of all the men that Makhachev has shared the octagon with, he said Poirier ranks among his favorite as a person, and he would like nothing more than to see him thrive in his retirement fight.
“Dustin is a very good guy,” Makhachev said. “From my opponents I respect two guys: (Alexander) Volkanovski and Dustin. They’re really nice guys. I send them messages.”
