One of the fights that has the entire world on tiptoes is indeed the one between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier, set for UFC 302. Even though both sides have been training rigorously, the fans have turned the spotlight towards the Dagestani team. Why? The pointers aim at the presence of Khabib Nurmagomedov. The former UFC LW champion has come to coach Makhachev for his fight against Poirier. But what caused this sudden rise in training intensity?

The answer to the above question was recently revealed in a YouTube video, wherein Nurmagomedov can be seen giving out instructions to his team. Let’s see what ‘The Eagle’ had to say. 

Khabib Nurmagomedov answers the call after Dana White’s bold move

Recently, a video was uploaded on Nurmagomedov’s YouTube channel showcasing Makhachev’s training camp. At the very beginning of the video, ‘The Eagle’ revealed why the team began its sudden training. 

Surprisingly, it was linked to a call from the UFC. The former champ revealed that although everyone in the team knew what they wanted, things were uncertain with the fight promotion. And when Dana White decided to give Makhachev a call, declaring that he would fight on the 1st of June, he had no choice but to commence his training despite not knowing who he would fight.

Nurmagomedov said, “These guys here, each of them knows what they want, and each came here understanding what would happen. These training sessions came about spontaneously. Why? Because the UFC called Islam around the end of March or the beginning of April and said, ‘You have a fight on June 1, but we don’t know yet who your opponent will be.’”

Nurmagomedov has previously defeated ‘The Diamond’ with a rear naked choke in the third round of their fight at UFC 242. With Nurmagomedov’s help, the current UFC lightweight champion has disclosed a game plan to use against Poirier. 

Islam Makhachev has a plan to take down Dustin Poirier at UFC 302

Although Poirier is quite a formidable fighter, Makhachev seemed calm about facing him for a title defense. But that doesn’t mean he has no plan for the night. In an interview with John McCarthy and Josh Thompson on the ‘Weighing In’ podcast, Makhachev talked about Poirier’s strong guillotine choke. The fighter has often attempted the guillotine choke on his opponents including Nurmagomedov. He declared that he would have to be very wary of the guillotine. 

In another interview with MMA Junkie, Makhachev revealed how he plans to defeat the ‘Diamond’. He said, “Same thing. I will take him down, he will try to give me guillotine, and I will take his back and choke it. That’s it.” Indeed, the champ took inspiration from his mentor’s fight journal. If he follows what Nurmagomedov did in his fight, Makhachev might have the chance to successfully defend his belt once again. 

However, the LW champion cannot underestimate the strength of his opponent. With strong striking skills and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, many professionals have claimed that Poirier is not someone who should be taken lightly. Nevertheless, with Nurmagomedov in the training camp, Makhachev might just claim the win.