Dustin Poirier Asked to Pick ‘Defense’ Over ‘Firefight’ by Belal Muhammad Ahead of UFC 318 BMF Title Fight

UFC veteran Belal Muhammad shares words of advice for Dustin Poirier against Max Holloway at UFC 318.

Dustin Poirier Asked to Pick ‘Defense’ Over ‘Firefight’ by Belal Muhammad Ahead of UFC 318 BMF Title Fight

Belal Muhammad suggests Dustin Poirier not be emotional against Max Holloway (via X)

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The UFC’s iconic BMF belt returns this Saturday as Dustin Poirier faces Max Holloway in a thrilling main event. For Poirier, this electrifying showdown marks his final professional fight before officially retiring from the sport. Despite Poirier being the betting favorite, Belal Muhammad has warned him about the potential dangers of underestimating Holloway.

Poirier’s most recent fight ended in a tough loss against former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302. Even at this stage of his career, Poirier displayed incredible toughness and plans to bring that same energy to UFC 318. However, Muhammad has advised Poirier to stay calm, avoid emotional decisions, and fight smart.

It’s your last fight. You can’t get emotional in there. You can’t just make it a firefight. I know that’s what you want. Don’t jump the guillotine. You gotta get in the pocket. You gotta get Max Holloway going backwards. Use those low kicks like Volkanovski did against him. Start tearing down that leg. If he points to the ground in the last 30 seconds, be disciplined. Defense.

Belal Muhammad via his YouTube channel

Poirier is famously known for his warrior spirit, consistently delivering unforgettable wars inside the UFC octagon. His legendary fights against Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker showcased unmatched heart, resilience, and thrilling back-and-forth action. Poirier’s epic battles with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor further solidified his reputation as one of UFC’s most bankable superstars.

Poirier is often regarded as one of the greatest UFC fighters to never capture the undisputed lightweight belt. He came agonizingly close but suffered heartbreaking title losses against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Islam Makhachev. Despite these setbacks, Poirier’s incredible fighting spirit and consistency earned him immense respect as one of the division’s all-time best warriors.

Poirier and Holloway are elite boxers, making fans excited for a high-paced striking battle happening entirely on the feet. Both fighters possess tremendous knockout power and are equally durable, creating a thrilling matchup with unpredictable momentum swings. Ultimately, it remains fascinating to see which fighter will outlast the other and emerge victorious in this anticipated BMF showdown.

Former rival picks Max Holloway over Dustin Poirier at UFC 318

Max Holloway won the BMF by defeating Justin Gaethje last year at UFC 300, knocking him out in the last second. The last ten seconds of the fight went viral worldwide, showcasing Holloway’s toughness and striking brilliance. However, at UFC 308, Holloway experienced his first-ever knockout loss when former featherweight champ Ilia Topuria brutally finished him.

Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier to fight at UFC 318
Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier to fight at UFC 318 (via X)

The shocking knockout served as a harsh reminder of MMA’s unpredictability, humbling Holloway after his previous incredible victory. Coming from a knockout like that isn’t easy, but according to Alexander Volkanovski, Holloway does have that capacity to bounce back.

I know he’ll be the type of guy to make the right adjustments or come back not only the same guy he was, maybe even look better…I’m going to go with Max. Obviously he’s coming off a KO loss, which is something that’s going to be a big factor. Not many people can bounce back from a KO loss. There’s very few that can, and I think Max is definitely one of them.

Alexander Volkanovski via Fox Sports Australia

Holloway and Dustin Poirier have clashed twice before, with ‘The Diamond’ securing victories in both of those contests. This time, Holloway enters determined for revenge, aiming to spoil Poirier’s farewell by handing him a crushing retirement defeat. Despite respecting Poirier’s legendary career, the ‘Blessed’ remains focused on victory, believing it’s his responsibility to retain his BMF title.

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