The company announced the next lightweight title fight, which is set to take place in June at the UFC 303. Dustin Poirier is set to challenge Islam Makhachev for his second title defense. Poirier least fought in the UFC 299 in the co-main event and beat Benoit St-Denis in the second round via a spectacular knockout. Dustin Poirier is a heavy underdog in the title fight, mainly because he has struggled heavily against pure grapplers.
Dustin Poirier has been an underdog in the octagon and has caused massive upsets. He will need to do the same to complete his objective of winning the title and becoming a champion in the company.
1. Striking at the UFC 303
Dustin Poirier is an elite striker in the company and has beaten some of the best fighters using his elite striking. He even caused Khabib a bit of trouble, mainly due to his fast-paced boxing combinations at the UFC. Dustin Poirier might be second to grappling against Islam, but he can match and try to hurt Islam in the first two rounds of their fight. It’ll be interesting to see what happens when Dustin and Islam scrap in the octagon at UFC 303.
2. Guillotine choke
Dustin Poirier has used his guillotine choke on almost every one of his opponents. He is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He might want to use his grappling pedigree against Islam. One thing’s for sure, Islam will use his grappling-heavy approach against Poirier. When Islam goes for a take, Dustin can try to put Makhachev in a guillotine choke at the beginning of the five rounds. Dustin Poirier choked out Michael Chandler in his fight a couple of years back and also finished Max Holloway via a vicious armbar when the duo fought a couple of years back.
Dustin definitely is in possession of grappling skills required to win a title in the UFC. Poirier might want to give it his all given this might be his last title fight in the company of his career.
ALSO READ: UFC 302: Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev Reveals His Plan on How He Beats Out Dustin Poirier
