Khabib Nurmagomedov admires Dustin Poirier but wants Islam Makhachev to defeat him at UFC 302

Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former UFC lightweight champion, is confident in his protege Islam Makhachev’s ability to defend his title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 next Saturday. Nurmagomedov, who has trained and fought alongside Makhachev, believes that their experience and knowledge of Poirier’s strengths and weaknesses will give them the upper hand in the upcoming bout.

In a recent YouTube video documenting Makhachev’s training camp, Nurmagomedov expressed his respect for Poirier’s experience and skill in the octagon. However, he also emphasized the importance of having a well-developed plan for the fight, which he believes Makhachev will execute successfully. Nurmagomedov hopes that Makhachev will be able to finish Poirier off in the second or third round, building on his own dominant performance against Poirier back in 2019.

While Nurmagomedov did not reveal the specifics of their gameplan, Makhachev hinted that they will stick to what has worked for them in the past. The UFC lightweight champion emphasized the importance of reviewing their previous training sessions together and building a solid plan based on their knowledge of Poirier’s fighting style.

UFC 302 is set to take place this Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Fight fans can expect an intense battle between Makhachev and Poirier, with Nurmagomedov’s guidance and support playing a crucial role in the outcome of the fight. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting and action-packed main event.