Dustin Poirier, a former UFC interim lightweight champion, provides his predictions for the fights between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor and Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski in our exclusive conversation with him.
Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier, the former interim lightweight champion of the UFC, recently spoke with Bloody Elbow in an exclusive interview. ‘The Diamond’ discussed a variety of topics, both common and contentious.
In this section of the conversation, we talk about how Islam Makhachev’s victory against Charles Oliveira to win the UFC lightweight title changed the game for many competitors. Then, Poirier makes his prediction for the forthcoming UFC 284 fight between Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski, the current featherweight champion of the UFC. We also question Dustin on whether or not he has ever considered fighting Volkanovski, and “The Diamond” offers his opinion on whether Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor might face off.
Edward Mercado Islam Makhachev defeated Charles Oliveira in the UFC’s lightweight division, becoming the new champion. Do you think Makhachev’s victory brought you one step closer to a title shot?
And that’s another one I would have backed, according to Dustin Poirier. I’d have fallen short. The same night that happened. I also would have blown that one. The winner is a newcomer. It puts everyone who previously competed against Charles for the belt in brand-new contests. So, it undoubtedly widens the scope of things.
EM: How would you approach Islam Makhachev’s preparation in comparison to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s?
DP: To be honest, I think it would resemble a training camp. There was a lot of wrestling.
EM: I asked you out in Abu-Dhabi before your bout with Khabib if you would be prepared to jump a guillotine versus Nurmagomedov if the opportunity presented itself, and you said, “You need to risk it for the biscuit.” You did indeed jump the guillotine and were the only one to come close to defeating Khabib. Would you still be eager to jump the guillotine if the same thing occurred to Islam?
Of course I would, DP. I would, of course. I most certainly would.
EM: Makhachev must defeat Alexander Volkanovski, the UFC featherweight champion, before it is a possibility. Is Islam taking the belt out of Perth?
DP: I believe that Islam will triumph, but I’m not sure. Islam, in my opinion, will be more larger and more diverse than Volkanovski. Islam may find it difficult to go in deep on typical shots because Volkanovski is sho Volkanovski used to gain weight, I know. He used to be heavier when he was younger, but he has been fighting at 45 years old for as long as he has, and now he is going up against Islam, who weighs 155 pounds and is not a tiny man. Undoubtedly, there will be a slight discrepancy. Striking will be the deciding factor. If Islam can’t get him down and stay on top of him, I don’t think these men will stay on the mat for very long. And I believe it will be challenging for him to do so against Volk.
EM: Have you ever considered getting into a fight with Alexander Volkanovski?
rter, shorter, and has a lower base, but perhaps he can trip him up or push him up against the fence.
DP: I’ve never given it much thought. Before this fight [Makhachev vs. Volkanovski] was advertised, I never stopped to think about it, and it was never really a possibility.
Michael Chandler is currently requesting a fight with Conor McGregor, and it might happen. They are both exciting boxers who are in need of victories after recent defeats. Whom would you pick to win the contest?
DP: Conor would be my choice.
EM: Yea? Do you believe he will be knocked out?
DP: Given Conor’s timing, I believe Chandler is quite attackable. With the layoff, too, we’ll see. may play a significant role for Conor. Conor would still be my choice in this scenario, though. Chandler is a target. He is shorter than Conor. Chandler eases off. You can be sure that if he wrestles heavily to fend off Conor’s strikes, he will slow down a bit, go closer to Conor, and open himself up to being touched. If the match occurs, I’d wager on Conor. I can’t, that is! I CANNOT PLAY. MMA CANNOT BE BETTED!
EM: Right, haha! Absolutely correct! (stops the fight by swiping her arms back and forth) Got to throw that disclaimer out there.
