Alexander Volkanovski has given his insight into who will win the upcoming lightweight title fight between his nemesis Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 302 on Saturday night.
Of course the former long-time featherweight champion Volkanovski fought Makhachev twice for the 155lb title last year, losing by unanimous decision in their first encounter and then suffering a KO defeat in the rematch, and so perhaps it’s not surprising that he believes the champion will retain his title this weekend.
“Islam’s going to be too good, I think he’s too safe of a fighter to make mistakes where he’s going to get caught against someone like Dustin Poirier… I don’t see anyone beating Islam for a while unless they catch him,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel.
“I think once he grabs a hold of Dustin, Dustin’s going to be in trouble – yeah, the guillotines might be there, but think of the amount of times people have tried to put Islam in a guillotine, I guarantee he’s done hours and hours of defense – I don’t see that being pulled off.”
And as for how the fight finishes, Volkanovski reckons the end will come inside the distance.
“I think he plays it safe on the feet… Can he get the finish, Islam? Yes, I think you’re best option here is, Islam is that good where it’s going to be a finish, [and] I think it’s going to be a submission finish.”
Watch more of Volkanovski’s breakdown for UFC 302 below.
