Having Faced Khabib, Justin Gaethje Hands Dustin Poirier the Secret to Beating Islam Makhachev – “Survive Those Attacks”

Former UFC BMF champion Justin Gaethje has some helpful advice for Dustin Poirier. ‘The Diamond’ is gearing up to make this 31 UFC appearance and will face lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 302 on June 1, which comes as a surprise for many. Remember when Gaethje knocked out Poirier with a head kick at their UFCF 291 bout last year, and the chatter around ‘The Diamond’s career being nearly over? Well, turns out it the rumors didn’t come true.

The stars, somehow aligned for Poirier to fight for the title despite having lost two of his last four fights, and the presence of at least three contenders (Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, and Gaethje himself) with a better claim at fighting for the title than him. Mainly because all of them were unavailable and Poirier was game. And Gaethje thinks that the 35-year-old’s experience against Khabib Nurmagomedov will be crucial.

Gaethje thinks Poirier knows what to expect at UFC 302 because of Khabib fight

Speaking to Kaz Crossley on Title Sports Network’s YouTube channel about his old foe taking on the champion, Gaethje felt that because Makhachev comes from the same Dagestani wrestling and combat sambo base as Khabib Nurmagomedov (whom both Gaethje and Poirier have faced and lost to), Poirier would have a good idea what to expect: a lot of wrestling.

“Well we’ve both been in there with Khabib, already. So we have an idea, they’re obviously not the same fighter, they don’t fight the same styles, but they, you know, are both really heavy grappling. But, you know, you really just got to trust in your ability to grapple for the whole fight,” he said.

Gaethje felt that the two most important things that Poirier needs to focus on are his stamina and not being afraid to grapple with the champion despite the purported disparity in their wrestling skills. If he could weather the occasional storms, ‘The Highlight’ felt, Poirier is more than capable of taking care of Makhachev on the feet. “If your cardio is there and you know you can survive those attacks, then eventually you’re going to get back to the feet and be able to cause damage if you’re in good enough shape,” he added.

Makhachev himself, in recent interviews, has talked about his game plan for Poirier. Echoing Gaethje, he has been clear he plans to grapple with the New Orleans native, as it is ‘The Diamond’s weaker suit. This may very well turn out to be a bluff on the champ’s part because his striking is perhaps equally as strong as his wrestling. Gaethje, however, doesn’t think so and feels the Dagestani will lead with his world-class wrestling.

Meanwhile, along with his heavy hands and dangerous striking, Poirier brings something to the table that Makhachev has yet to face as champion.

Poirier’s experience and craftiness are his biggest advantage

In MMA, a good old-fashioned upset is never too far away. Last year, Sean Strickland whooped Israel Adesanya for five rounds, humiliating the former middleweight champion (who had promised to do a TikTok dance after knocking out ‘Tarzan’) to become the new middleweight champion of the UFC. This, perhaps, was the biggest upset in UFC history, certainly the biggest in recent times.

It will, however, pale in comparison if, somehow, Poirier manages to defeat Islam Makhachev at their UFC 302 clash. While there are not many who are picking the former interim champion to win, there certainly are more than a few bright spots for ‘The Diamond’. Having held his own against Khabib Nurmagomedov, even briefly threatening him with a guillotine submission at UFC 242, Poirier has shown that he can compete with that style of fighting. Or at least could five years ago.

While age and miles on the body are certainly very real concerns for ‘The Diamond’, with age comes experience, ingenuity, and guile. Makhachev has shown that he can compete with the best of the best as far as athletic ability and strength are concerned. But what he has yet to face is the strategic acumen that comes with experience and age in the fight game. And that is something Poirier, because of his thirty fights in the promotion, has in abundance.

Who do you think will emerge victorious in UFC 302? Drop your predictions in the comments below.