Dustin Poirier Warns Welterweight Contenders About Islam Makhachev’s Potential as 170-pounder

UFC veteran and former rival, Dustin Poirier, talks about Islam Makhachev's welterweight move.

Dustin Poirier Warns Welterweight Contenders About Islam Makhachev’s Potential as 170-pounder

Dustin Poirier believes Islam Makhachev can dominate the welterweight division (via X)

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A few months ago, Islam Makhachev shocked everyone by officially vacating his lightweight title and moving up to the 170-pound division. This major decision was taken by the Dagestani champion after Jack Della Maddelena became the new welterweight champion by defeating Belal Muhammad. With Makhachev vs. JDM almost set, Dustin Poirier recently shared his personal opinion.

According to multiple reports, the upcoming welterweight superfight will likely take place later this year. Ahead of the much-anticipated fight, several people had serious doubts regarding the former lightweight champion’s ability in a bigger division. However, during the media day at UFC 318, Makhachev’s former rival, Dustin Poirier, openly backed his transition to welterweight.

He’s a big guy. I think he’s gonna fill into that weight. He’s a big 155er. His lifestyle outside of training camp is going to be comfortable. He could be a champion there for sure.

Dustin Poirier via UFC 318 Media Day

Makhachev and Della Maddalena have nearly identical height, with 5’10” and 5’11” respectively. Makhachev’s fight-night rehydrated weight reaches approximately 178 pounds, making his physicality comparable to natural welterweight Della Maddalena’s typical walk-around weight. Poirier also talked in detail about how the fight between both fighters could go, stressing Makhachev’s wrestling threat.

I think the beginning of the fight is gonna tell the story. How well JDM does at getting up. How well does JDM does to keep Islam off of his feet. It’s tough to call that. JDM is a big guy, athletic, I’m excited about that.

Dustin Poirier continued.

‘The Diamond’ has already shared the octagon with Makhachev in a brutal war for the lightweight title at UFC 302. Despite giving tough competition, DP wasn’t able to stop Makhachev’s wrestling and got submitted in the fifth round. With Della Maddelena being a striker, the former pound-for-pound king can definitely use his incredible wrestling to finish the fight early.

Islam Makhachev’s title vacation can stop Dustin Poirier’s UFC retirement?

Dustin Poirier will face Max Holloway at UFC 318 for the BMF title in his highly anticipated retirement fight. The thrilling trilogy fight headlines UFC 318, taking place at New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center, Poirier’s hometown, adding emotional significance. ‘The Diamond’ confirmed it will be his final octagon appearance, aiming to retire as champion and end his storied MMA career.

Dustin Poirier and Islam Makhachev after UFC 302
Dustin Poirier and Islam Makhachev after UFC 302 (via MMA Fighting)

Going into the fight, DP is the favorite to beat Holloway for the third time in his career. Given his last performance, many fans believe that the veteran still has a few more fights left in his tank. In a recent YouTube video, former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling talked about this in detail and shared his unique theory.

With Islam vacating, it kind of opens the door wide open depending on how this performance goes. Let’s say he dominates (Holloway), I feel like it’s going to be hard to settle that itch and be like, ‘I’m just done.’ … If he dominates, maybe there’s that lightbulb in the back of his head like, ‘You know what? I think we’ve got one more dance. I do think if he can go out there and dominate, look great in this performance, maybe even get a finish over a tough dude like Max…I think he sticks around for one more.

Aljamain Sterling via his YouTube Channel

At 36 years old, Poirier is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighter ever to not win an undisputed championship. He acknowledges this fact, openly admitting his three losses came against some of the most dominant champions in UFC history. However, as Sterling suggested, a dominant UFC 318 performance might convince Poirier to delay his highly anticipated retirement.

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