Michael Chandler: 'More versed' Islam Makhachev will finish Dustin Poirier in UFC 302 title fight
Michael Chandler expects former foe Dustin Poirier to fall to 0-3 in undisputed title fights at UFC 302.
Michael Chandler expects Dustin Poirier to fall to 0-3 in undisputed title fights at UFC 302.
Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) will get another opportunity to achieve his career-long dream June 1 when he challenges Islam Makhachev for the lightweight belt at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. It’s a fortuitous opportunity for “The Diamond,” who rebounded from a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje this past year with a knockout win over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299 in March.
Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) doesn’t see it going well for him, though.
“Islam has the wrestling, grappling, strength, size advantage, and I think Islam finishes him, to be honest,” Chandler said in a recent Instagram Q&A. “It’s a title fight Islam is more versed in.”
Chandler has never fought Makhachev, but he did suffer a third-round submission loss to Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022. The two have had their moments of trash talk in the time since then, but Chandler claims there’s no bias in his analysis.
He just thinks Makhachev, who is No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie pound-for-pound rankings, is the superior fighter.
“Poirier and I have history,” Chandler said. “Poirier doesn’t like me. I sleep fine at night knowing that. Poirier is very good, but that being said, Islam has his number.”
Whichever way the fight goes, though, Chandler said he would be interested in challenging the winner of the UFC 302 title fight if he defeats Conor McGregor in their long-awaited bout at UFC 303, which takes place June 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
For more on the cards, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302 and UFC 303.