- Islam Malhachev weighed in on how he deangrous Dustin Poitier is ahead of their showdown
- Islam blastead Aman Tsarukyan for ducking everybody
Islam Makhachev believes Dustin Poirier would give him a tough match and wants to shut Arman Tsarukyan up once and for all.
Islam is taking Dustin seriously
Speaking to TMZ Sports, Makhachev said he could beat “The Diamond” with ease style-wise. However, he is not ruling out the fact that Poirier is an elite-level striker which could make the fight tough for him.
“Dustin, he’s already legend and he have more than everybody experience in this sport but his problem is his style. That’s one problem the guy has. His weak point is wrestling and grappling, I have the key for the easy fight. And I think if I follow the plan, I can beat him easy. My style and Khabib’s style is worst style for Dustin. People who can take him down, hold him there, always give him problems,” Makhachev assessed.
“I’m not under estimating Poirier because this guy is the legend. He can beat everybody, he have better than everybody striking in my division, in this sport, that’s why I prepare myself for the tough fight,” he added.
Islam doesn’t see any formidable challenger at lightweight
Makhachev also admitted that he is no longer interested in Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje. For now, Islam thinks Poirier is the best matchup he could face thus far. However, the reigning lightweight champ said he would be glad to silence Tsarukyan after he beats “The Diamond.”
“Honestly no, Dustin is a good opponent. Because Oliveira, Arman, I beat these guys already,” Makhachev said. “My dream fight for this division I think is Gaethje, but he lose already. Right now in the position in our weight, I think we just have Dustin. Because Arman say no, Oliveira lose, Gaethje lose, we don’t have someone.”
“I don’t know what this guy [Tsarukyan] need because when I beat him, he keep talking about me but when UFC told him this your chance take the fight, he say no like, I don’t know maybe three times or how many times he say no. I don’t know what this guy need but I will give him his chance and after next fight he will never talk about me again,” he added.
Makhachev will defend his lightweight title fughgt against Poirier at UFC 302 on June 1. However, he still hasn’t forgotten about his plan to move up to welterweight.
