UFC 302 is almost upon us and the excitement and tensions are quite palpable. With fight week festivities nearly coming to an end, it is only a matter of time before we get to see what everyone has been waiting for. That said, we finally got to see Dustin Poirier and Islam Makhachev come face to face for the first time as well.
For those unaware, Dustin Poirier makes a bid for the undisputed lightweight title when he faces Islam Makhachev on Saturday, June 1. Live out of the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey we will see Islam attempt his third title defense that would seal his legacy as one of the best lightweight champions and Dustin’s third title challenge, which if successful, sees him become one of the best lightweights of all time.
Will we see you at today’s presser? 👀
📍 @NJDHockeyHouse | #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/ozks9apHrm
— UFC (@ufc) May 30, 2024
Thus, it is a fight that holds a lot of weight and implications for both the fighters and the lightweight division as a whole. Additionally, considering the fact that it could well be the last time that we see Dustin Poirier in action, the fans feel even more drawn to the event. That said, the recent press conference has seemingly shot things up a notch as well.
Dustin Poirier and Islam Makhachev get into a heated face-to-face
Ahead of the fight, fans were excited to see how the two fighters would react to seeing and being around their opponents in person. For the most part, Islam Makhachev was slightly less confident and less cheeky than he has been in his interviews lately. On the other hand, Dustin Poirier looked as though he had been in this position a thousand times before, with nothing fazing him.
Live out of the Rwjbarnabas Health Hockey House, the press conference fully delivered for the most part. Whilst Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa had their back-and-forths, the main highlight was Dustin and Islam getting into a rather long and heated faceoff. As such, let’s take a look at what they had to say:
Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier exchanged words in their first faceoff 😳 #UFC302
(via @danawhite) pic.twitter.com/4m0XiIQDr4
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 30, 2024
Dustin Poirier: “I’m going to knock you out Saturday. Sleep. Imma sleep-slap you. You’re going to be diving for my legs. You’re gonna be laying and praying, that’s what you’re going to be doing…you’re going to sleep motherf***er.”
Islam Makhachev: “You will sleep (when) you get knocked down. Don’t say motherf***er. Don’t say that or I’ll slap you.”
Naturally, there was a clear change in Islam Makhachev‘s demeanor once Dustin Poirier called him a ‘motherf***er’. As we have seen between Caleb Plant and Canelo Alvarez in the past, the abuse, which can be inferred quite literally by some, often invokes a strong reaction. Same was the case for Islam, who likely holds his mother quite dear. Thus, for a moment, it seemed as though all hell was about to break loose on stage.
Dustin Poirier attempts to lure Islam Makhachev to box
Although their faceoff got pretty heated and for all the right reasons, it has to be pointed out how their back and forth during the press conference itself was quite entertaining as well. Whilst Islam Makhachev tried to play some mind games, suggesting Dustin Poirier was ‘nervous’, the Louisiana native tried to hit back with getting the lightweight champ to strike with him.
In the buildup to the fight, there has been a lot of praise from Islam’s coach, who suggest that he can hold his own against Dustin in the striking department and perhaps is event better than the veteran. However, knowing Makhachev’s tendencies, he is likely to play it safe and utilize his trusty wrestling instead. As such, Poirier was consistent with trying to get Islam to throw hands instead.
This exchange 😳 #UFC302
Islam Makhachev: “This is not boxing, this is MMA, man.”
Dustin Poirier: “Well, you’re going to sleep like it’s boxing.” pic.twitter.com/ldGT6DXUAo— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) May 30, 2024
Islam Makhachev: “He always look good when he fight with some striking guys like Conor or Chandler or someone like this. But when he meet with some wrestlers he always have trouble, that’s why I don’t believe (he can win). This is not boxing, this is MMA man.”
Dustin Poirier: “He should listen to his coaches and box like they’re telling him to. Let’s box. You’re going to sleep like it’s boxing.”
As for Dustin himself, he has been polishing up his wrestling with lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot and plugging any holes from the Khabib Nurmagomedov fight. Although Dustin has grown as a fighter since then, Khabib, Islam, and their team seem to believe that the former interim title holder has made no significant improvements in his game. Whether it is true or not, we will surely find out on Saturday night.