Islam Makhachev Has Bold Prediction Regarding UFC 318 Headliner Involving Former Foe Dustin Poirier

A champ does what a champ wants, and what longtime former 155-pound champ Islam Makhachev does best is understand the game well. With an impressive 15-fight win streak and a record 4 title defenses at lightweight, the Dagestani star has faced a plethora of names. Now, Islam Makhachev has given his two cents on the upcoming UFC 318 PPV headliner, featuring Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway.

Dustin Poirier will have the opportunity to bag the BMF title at his homecoming event in New Orleans, Louisiana. Surprisingly, the place hasn’t hosted a UFC booking since 2015. Sparkling bright so long, “Diamond” also plans to call time on his UFC tenure after the UFC 318 PPV main event.

Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s protégé went against Poirier in a proper 22-minute back-and-forth war last June. Poirier failed his last bid at lightweight gold, falling to a fifth-round submission. However, he earned the appreciation and backing of Islam Makhachev, and 13 months later, he can bank on it even now.

I think Dustin will win, …He told me this is last fight, and I think he’s going to be ready…He’s going to be ready. He’s going to win, I think. Dustin is very good guy.

Islam Makhachev told MMAJunkie

With sturdy stats like 30-9 MMA and 22-8 UFC, Dustin Poirier has gone through a murderer’s row of lightweight competition. However, there is mixed analysis and takes on this being his MMA swan song. For example, one prominent name thinks there are pre-determined stances on MMA/UFC retirement fights.

However, Islam Makhachev bills the former foe will end his career on a high; the Dagestani quippingly discloses a rooted interest in this. He has said two-time competition Alexander Volkanovski and Poirier were his favorite opponents so far, even though there was once a spark of rivalry between the two.

A KO win at UFC 318 could propel Dustin Poirier to break a two-year-old UFC record

‘The Diamond’ will face off against Max Holloway in a trilogy fight in Louisiana, which will likely end Poirier’s career. The former interim lightweight champion has gone the deep end and defeated Holloway twice before. He submitted ‘Blessed’ during their first UFC clash in February 2012, and then again outworked him in a thrilling five-round rematch in 2019.