Dustin Poirier's coach explains how Khabib Nurmagomedov fight helped prepare for Islam Makhachev: "Those holes are patched."
Dustin Poirier's coach Mike Brown believes lessons learned from the failed bid to capture the lightweight title from Khabib Nurmagomedov have helped 'The Diamond' better prepare for Islam Makhachev. The challenger from Louisiana failed in his first UFC title shot as he succumbed to a third-round rear naked choke submission to Nurmagomedov at UFC 242.
'The Eagle' employed his dominant wrestling to overwhelm his opponent before sinking in the choke. And much like Nurmagomedov, his protege Makhachev also has a similar grappling-heavy approach and presents many of the same threats inside the octagon.
While it is no secret that Poirier's fight camp will be heavily focused on how to shut out the Dagestani's wrestling, Brown is convinced that the experience of fighting 'The Eagle' will enable his star pupil to finish the lightweight champion at UFC 302.
During a recent episode of UFC Countdown, he said:
"Khabib showed us where we had some holes. We've worked on it and those holes are patched. We are working on anti-wrestling and getting back to our feet, that's no secret. Dustin will put him away."
Catch Mike Bown's comments on Dustin Poirier below:
With a record of 30-8 and one no-contest and wins against big names including Conor McGregor, Dan Hooker, Justin Gaethje, and Anthony Pettis, Poirier is one of the most decorated lightweights of this generation.
Many consider him one of the greatest fighters to have never won undisputed UFC gold.
Dustin Poirier believes UFC 302 will be his last shot at undisputed gold
Despite being a top contender at 155 pounds for a long time, Dustin Poirier is yet to get his hands on an undisputed UFC championship. As 'The Diamond' sees it, UFC 302 might be his last chance to relish that dream.
The American has already failed twice at claiming the lightweight title, once against Khabib Nurmagomedov and then against Charles Oliveira at UFC 269.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on a recent episode of The MMA Hour, the former interim lightweight champion stated:
"I just don't want it to slip from my fingers again, it means a lot to me. I'm going out there, I'm throwing everything that I have in my bones and my muscles. Everything that I have the ability to do to win this fight, I'm doing it... Because I don't think that I'm going to be around to get another shot... I'm a realist, I try to be optimistic and keep the best mindset towards things, but I understand what it is. I'm 35, the division has to move on at some point, but I'm trying to finish this thing man."
Catch Dustin Poirier's comments below (28:06):