Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
End of dialog window.
Russian UFC star Islam Makhachev didn’t let boos drown his confidence as he fired shots at rival Dustin Poirier during Thursday’s tense face-off. The Dagestani fighter, favored to win Saturday’s UFC 302 main event, leaned into the crowd’s hostility to declare himself 'the best fighter in the world right now'—and pointedly called out Poirier’s grappling vulnerabilities.
Pressure Under the Spotlight
Chants of 'Dustin! Dustin!' echoed through the arena, but Makhachev doubled down: 'When [Poirier] meets good wrestlers, he always has the same problem.' The duo had to be separated by security as tensions flared, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.
Analyzing the Fight Math
Makhachev’s warning highlights his game plan: exploit Poirier’s past struggles against elite ground fighters. Will the American’s striking power save him? Fans are split—but one thing’s clear: Saturday’s clash is a must-watch for MMA enthusiasts craving drama and skill.
NewspaperAmigo – Your Global News Buddy 
The Dagestani fighter, favored to win Saturday’s UFC 302 main event, leaned into the crowd’s hostility to declare himself 'the best fighter in the world right now'—and pointedly called out Poirier’s grappling vulnerabilities.
The duo had to be separated by security as tensions flared, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.
Fans are split—but one thing’s clear: Saturday’s clash is a must-watch for MMA enthusiasts craving drama and skill.
