'Incredible mind for MMA' – Dustin Poirier ropes in Top 5 lightweight to corner him against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302

The nickname “The Gamer,” Mateusz Gamrot is one of the best wrestlers in the lightweight division. Khabib Nurmagomedov had already picked him to become a future threat for Islam Makhachev. Moreover, he has even defeated the current number-one contender, Arman Tsarukyan.

Main event fighters get to add an extra cornerman and Poirier has given the spot to Gamrot. Aside from Gamrot, Poirier would likely have his regular team of head coach Mike Brown, striking coach Thiago Alves, and boxing coach Dyah Davis Jr.

Dustin Poirier would face the 6th lightweight champion in the last ten years

Dustin Poirier has one of the best resumes in the UFC. The former interim lightweight champion has fought the who’s who of the featherweight and lightweight divisions. However, he always came up short in undisputed title fights. Moreover, he also lost the BMF title fight to Justin Gaethje.

However, he has fought six lightweight champions or ex-champions in the past ten years. There have been 7 of them in the past ten years, and Rafael dos Anjos was the only one he didn’t fight. Poirier has defeated ex-champions like Conor McGregor (x2), Anthony Pettis , and Eddie Alvarez via finish. Moreover, he has also defeated then-featherweight now-BMF champion Max Holloway .

Nonetheless, Poirier has never defeated an active UFC lightweight champion. He lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira via rear naked choke. However, he had hurt Nurmagomedov and Oliveira in the striking department before they submitted him.

Poirier has not won against an undisputed lightweight champion, but no fighter has defended the title when Paulo Costa features on the undercard. At UFC 302, Costa is in the co-main event against Sean Strickland . Oddsmakers have Makhachev as a sizeable favorite, but the champion has no intention of underestimating Poirier.