The UFC is heading over to New Jersey for UFC 302. This event will be wrapped up with the lightweight champion Islam Makhachev trying to defend his UFC Title. Islam Makhachev will be coming up against former interim champion and two-time UFC lightweight title challenger Dustin Poirier.
During Islam Makhachev’s first year being champion he made 2 trips to the octagon facing off against Alexander Volkanovski both times. During the first of the two fights Makhachev was able to out-work and out-last Volkanovski to be able to get his first defence. In the 2nd defence, Islam was able to clinch the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings when he was able to knock out Alexander Volkanovski in the first round.
Looking at this matchup it is a classic grappler versus striker matchup. Islam Makhachev is set to defend the title for the first time against a fighter who competes at lightweight instead of a fighter moving weight. This is due to Volkanovski moving from featherweight to lightweight both times. Whereas, Dustin Poirier will be looking to clinch the title he has so far fallen short of multiple times.
Islam Makhachev Looking To Get Into The Record Books
Islam Makhachev was able to clinch the lightweight belt when he was able to knock out Charles Oliveira. The lightweight division has been known as being one of the most stacked divisions. This being the case many champions have struggled to reign over the division for a long amount of time. Islam Makhachev won’t be able to break the record for the most title defences this weekend. However, he will be able to equal the record with a third successful title defence.
Islam will be able to put his name next to some of lightweight’s greatest which include BJ Penn, Frankie Edger, Benson Henderson and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Khabib set the record before he made the decision to retire from MMA and move into coaching. Nurmagomedov will be in the corner of Makhachev this weekend to help him equal this record.
Keys To Victory
The game plan for victory this weekend will be for Makhachev to get the fight to the ground. Islam averages 3 takedowns per fight being able to land with a success rate of 61%. Islam will look to use this to his advantage and should be able to get the fight to the ground at least once. This is due to Poirier having a takedown defence of 63%. While this is a good takedown defence percentage it is not perfect. Makhachev will be able to get the fight to the ground and look to find a submission.
Throughout his career Islam looks for a submission attempt once per fight however, has been able to keep the fight on the ground once he does get the fight down. If Poirier isn’t able to keep this fight on the ground Makhachev will be able to punish the american. Makhachev will keep the pressure on Poirier and if he leaves even one opportunity Makhachev will go and take advantage.
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