Harshad Patel
Charles Oliveira predicts that Islam Makhachev will retain his UFC lightweight championship against Dustin Poirier — and potentially against Arman Tsarukyan as well.
Makhachev is set to square off against Poirier in the main event of UFC 302 on Saturday, and Oliveira doesn’t see “The Diamond” prevailing in a five-round showdown.
Poirier has suffered only four losses since moving up to lightweight in 2015, three of which occurred in championship bouts against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje (for the BMF title), and Oliveira himself.
“Every striker that faces Islam is going to be the same thing, [Makhachev] will take you down and have bigger chances at winning,” Oliveira told MMA Fighting.
“But we’re talking about MMA, and one hand, one strike that lands can definitely get you the victory.”
“Dustin Poirier has shown that in his last fight, he’s shown that many times already. He has heavy hands and hits hard, so he definitely can knock him out, but I think Islam remains as champion.”
Oliveira, who secured a submission win over Poirier when he was the 155-pound champion and is fresh off a narrow split decision loss to Tsarukyan at UFC 300, doesn’t view Tsarukyan as a significant threat to Makhachev “because Islam is evolving on the feet and is dangerous on the ground with submissions.”
“Arman is a guy that takes you down and holds you there the entire time,” Oliveira remarked. “No way. It’s not a fight he can win.”
“Of course, I’ve just said this and I can’t backtrack, we’re talking about MMA and it’s very unpredictable,” he continued.
“A guy closes his eyes and throws a hand that lands, you’re knocked out. He throws a kick that lands, you shoot for a takedown and end up in a submission. MMA is unpredictable, but I think Islam is way more experienced, has more focus, more hunger, and is much stronger than Arman.”
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