Dustin Poirier compares Islam Makhachev's D'Arce choke to a "vice grip," but says Khabib Nurmagomedov was "physically stronger" inside octagon
Dustin Poirier recently compared his experience of fighting Islam Makhachev to contesting against Khabib Nurmagomedov and noted that there are differences between the two. He highlighted areas in which the Dagestanis shared similarities as well as areas of their game where they are different.
'The Diamond' challenged Makhachev for his lightweight title in the main event of UFC 302, where he was submitted in the fifth round. It was an entertaining bout, but Poirier was unsuccessful in his third attempt at becoming undisputed lightweight champion.
During his appearance on Monday's episode of The MMA Hour, the Louisiana native opened up about his loss and complimented the lightweight champion on his grip strength. Poirier mentioned that although he believes Nurmagomedov is the stronger of the two, Makhachev's strength when applying his submissions is significant. He said:
"Pressure is similar. Takedowns are a little. He [Makhachev] does a lot of upper body stuff, he kept trying to clinch up with me. Khabib [Nurmagomedov] would shoot lower shots. I think Khabib is stronger, physically stronger. Islam's squeeze was incredible...All of these guys are strong but it wasn't overwhelming. But his [Makhachev's] squeeze, that torque he got in that D'Arce choke, it was like a vice grip."
Check out Dustin Poirier's comments below:
Dustin Poirier would be open to fighting again despite loss to Islam Makhachev
Despite his most recent loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302, Dustin Poirier remains open to competing again under the right circumstances.
During the aforementioned appearance, 'The Diamond' opened up about his future as a competitor and noted that he would take time to evaluate a return should the matchmakers offer him an exciting opponent. He said:
"I gotta see how I feel [about fighting again]. Talking about those things, it's not exciting to me. But if my phone rang right now and it was Hunter [Campbell]...I gotta see how I feel when it's offered to me...I'm not calling [them]."