A 12-fight UFC 302 card in Newark used to be headlined by way of a riveting name tussle efficiency from Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier. Within the co-main tournament, Sean Strickland reminded the sector that he’s nonetheless probably the most perfect middleweights within the game. However what’s upcoming for the manage stars upcoming Saturday’s card? Andreas Hale and Brett Okamoto do business in their ultimate ideas from Unutilized Jersey.
Islam Makhachev effectively defended his UFC light-weight championship with a fifth-round submission towards Dustin Poirier, but it surely used to be arguably probably the most tough problem of his UFC tenure. Poirier proved to be greater than a powerful opponent who confirmed a steely unravel as he automatically discovered himself in disadvantageous positions all over the evening. Alternatively, not like his third-round submission loss to Makhachev’s educator, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Poirier appeared to be informed from his errors and have the option out of hassle.
However there’s a reason Makhachev is lately the UFC’s Disagree. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, with some believing that he’s an progressed model of Nurmagomedov, and he put it on complete show by way of opening his whole toolbox to after all get the end within the ultimate around.
As noteceable as Poirier’s unravel used to be, Makhachev’s diligence to get the end can have been much more impressive as he refused to permit the tussle to succeed in the scorecards. He simply needed to get inventive to get it accomplished. Makhachev attempted the whole lot from rear bare chokes to kimuras early on. Nonetheless, Poirier persisted to seek out techniques to tussle his approach out, even managing to stuff a couple of takedowns and remove himself off the canvas when the champion grounded him. In a little of a scramble, Makhachev went for an ankle pick out and fantastically impaired it to perceivable up Poirier’s neck for the completing order that noticed him conserve the choke.
It used to be a lavish efficiency by way of Makhachev, who needed to tussle Poirier (and an especially pro-Poirier community) to pick out up his UFC light-weight division-leading thirteenth consecutive win. Date he may just shield his name towards manage contender Arman Tsarukyan, Makhachev is extra inquisitive about transferring to welterweight.
“It’s my dream. I want to fight for the second belt,” Makhachev mentioned about combating for the welterweight name. “I want to feel that energy again because when you defend your belt, it’s not same. I need a new one.”
Makhachev is starting to retirement from the shade of Nurmagomedov, and an international name in a 2d weight elegance would do the trick. Together with his fourth name protection, he’s additionally secured his educator, at the side of BJ Penn and Benson Henderson, for probably the most name tussle wins in light-weight department historical past.
At 32 years used and appearing negative indicators of slowing indisposed, there’s a distinct chance that Makhachev can surpass Nurmagomedov must he proceed to stick lively.
As for Poirier, his time is in query as he’s fallen cut for a 3rd past, difficult for undisputed UFC gold.
“I know I could compete with the best of these guys,” Poirier mentioned. “It’s just like if I do fight again, what am I fighting for? Just to fight? I’ve done that 50 times. I don’t know. I got a little girl I love and I got to see. I think this could be it.”
Poirier is arguably the best UFC fighter to by no means win the undisputed championship, and judging by way of his efficiency towards Makhachev, he seems to have extra to offer. The query is sooner or later he’s inquisitive about making that climb to a championship tussle another past.
If it’s any comfort, Makhachev appreciates Poirier’s ability.
“His coach is working very well and he prepare very good,” Makhachev mentioned. “He defends my takedown and gave me a hard time. He’s a champion, legend of this sport. Thank you, Dustin.”
Poirier clarified that he’ll want to shoot once in a while prior to deciding if this shall be his endmost tussle. Date he simplest desires to transform a champion, he additionally mentioned that he’s no longer positive what he’ll do with out combating. If a UFC undisputed name isn’t in his instant time, a 3rd tussle with Max Holloway for the BMF name may just amusement the ache of his championship loss.
Simplest Poirier can make a decision his upcoming step. Both approach, tussle fanatics will definitely be happy in the event that they see him step into the Octagon once more. — Andreas Hale
Okamoto on what’s upcoming for manage stars upcoming UFC 302
Islam Makhachev, light-weight champion
What Will have to be Then: Arman Tsarukyan
Makhachev’s create to in all probability the best light-weight of all past continues. His upcoming problem is largely i’m ready. The UFC presented this chance in Newark to Tsarukyan first, upcoming he beat Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. He sought after a left-overs and a complete camp, which nobody can blame him for. Makhachev beat Tsarukyan again in 2019, but it surely used to be Tsarukyan’s UFC debut, and he gave Makhachev probably the most closest fights of his profession. This would possibly no longer have the similar blockbuster attraction of a tussle towards Dustin Poirier, however this must be a sensational 155-pound name tussle.
Wildcard: Leon Edwards at welterweight
Makhachev desperately desires a possibility to transform a two-weight champ. It’s what he desires maximum, frankly. I don’t see the UFC reserving it within the akin time, as each champions nonetheless have paintings to do. However we’re no longer that some distance clear of it in all probability changing into a fact.
Sean Strickland, middleweight
What Will have to be Then: Winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya
It’s no longer authentic, however the expectation is that Du Plessis will shield his name towards Adesanya in August when the UFC visits Australia. Strickland has plethora of historical past with each. He famously disenchanted Adesanya to win the championship endmost September, prior to surrendering the belt to Du Plessis in his first name protection in January. Strickland felt he gained that tussle, which formally was at Du Plessis by way of break choice. The one caveat on this plan is Khamzat Chimaev, who faces former champion Robert Whittaker after this presen. I’ve campaigned for a Khamzat name tussle for a era now, as it’s merely past to look it. It’s late. However on this case, Strickland is probably the most deserving, without reference to what occurs with Chimaev. And Chimaev isn’t precisely lively anyway, so who’s to mention he can’t simply look forward to his shot upcoming Strickland has his?
Wildcard: Winner of Whittaker vs. Chimaev on June 22
That Du Plessis-Adesanya name tussle continues to be a couple of months away. It wouldn’t be surprising if the UFC regarded to arrange a Disagree. 1 contender tussle prior to reserving the sort of two directly to a name. I want to look Strickland wait, however this matchup would even be splendid.
Paulo Costa, middleweight
What Will have to be Then: Loser of Du Plessis vs. Adesanya
Costa has confirmed he can also be aggressive on the manage, and he’s confirmed he could be a title. His reputation has grown lately, in spite of shedding his largest fights. Stylistically, both of those matchups can be splendid. And if it have been to be Adesanya, there’d be plethora of storyline to promote upcoming the best way Adesanya humiliated Costa in 2020.
Wildcard: Chimaev
If Chimaev loses to Whittaker on June 22, or despite the fact that he wins and the UFC desires to i’m ready him up with a non-title tussle, don’t be shocked if the UFC revisits this matchup. It used to be booked endmost life, however Costa used to be compelled to tug out because of trauma.
Kevin Holland, middleweight
What Will have to be Then: Neil Magny
Holland has sought after to tussle Magny for a era, and he introduced up Magny’s title once more to me throughout tussle time. He advised me he by no means grew to become indisposed a Nick Diaz tussle. He sought after to tussle at UFC 302, win, and feature the UFC announce his Diaz tussle by way of the evening’s finish. UFC went any other course with Diaz, however Holland really doesn’t serve. He simply desires to tussle steadily, as everyone knows. Magny is similar approach. Frankly, it’s a tussle I’m surprised hasn’t took place but, given how lively those two are. May as neatly do it now. Conserve it for any tournament desiring a minute a laugh, and this’ll do the trick.
Wildcard: Caio Borralho
This simply turns out like a supremely a laugh tussle to me. Borralho is foundation to realize some notoriety with a 16-1 file and a knockout win over Paul Craig his endmost past out. Either one of those guys have humorous personalities. Their tussle time interactions can be very top power. And stylistically, it’d be a accumulation of gasoline from the hole bell. And I don’t thoughts optical Holland as a middleweight. He’s almost certainly higher suited to a name run at 170 kilos, however he doesn’t serve a couple of name. If he doesn’t serve about it, why must we? Put him in a laugh fights, and this could be a a laugh one.
