We asked AI to predict the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier (and it had the perfect answer)
The Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier matchup this Saturday will be significant for both men, and Google AI, Gemini, believes it can predict the winner of the lightweight title scrap. At UFC 302, both men clash over the 155-pound belt, with Makhachev being the defending champion.
Poirier is the challenger, a role he is all too familiar with, having previously challenged for undisputed lightweight gold twice now. Unfortunately, he has failed each time, losing via submission to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira respectively, with both occasions being due to a rear-naked choke.
His UFC 302 headliner is of tremendous importance, as it is likely Poirier's last crack at an undisputed title in the UFC. Meanwhile, for Makhachev, it is just as important, as a win would mean he would equal the lightweight division's all-time title defense record of three. So, who does Gemini, Google's AI, think will win?
According to Gemini, Makhachev is favored to win due to a combination of his elite-level wrestling, long win streak (which Gemini mistakenly called an undefeated streak), and Poirier's past struggles with strong wrestlers, most notably Nurmagomedov.
Even Benoît Saint Denis, who 'The Diamond' knocked out at UFC 299, spent most of the bout effortlessly outwrestling Poirier. However, Google AI makes it a point to remind observers not to underestimate Poirier.
While 'The Diamond' may not be favored to win, Gemini warned that Poirier's punching power, world-class experience, and the non-zero probability of an upset could lead to a win, even if unlikely.
Islam Makhachev does not believe that Dustin Poirier can beat him
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is nothing if not confident. He opined that Dustin Poirier has no chance of beating him. While 'The Diamond' took issue with Makhachev's dismissal of his chances, the Dagestani phenom doubled down on his rhetoric in a UFC 302 media day interview.
"Honestly, my style is worse style for him, that's why. He can beat some striker, he like one of the best striker in this game. But we're not striker, we're MMA fighters and my skills are on different level."
Check out Islam Makhachev's take on Dustin Poirier's chances against him (4:23):
A win for Poirier would be considered a massive upset, least of all because this is his last chance at capturing a lightweight title. Makhachev, however, is aiming to prevent a Cinderella story from happening on Saturday.