Islam Makhachev’s biggest stylistic threat out of the picture, claims coach reacting to Dustin Poirier fight

Islam Makhachev's coach talks about the toughest threat to the fighters' lightweight legacy.

Islam Makhachev’s biggest stylistic threat out of the picture, claims coach reacting to Dustin Poirier fight

Islam Makhachev's toughest challenge Justin Gaethje, ahead of the Dustin Poirier fight (via Imago)

Islam Makhachev is all set to defend his UFC lightweight belt against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. It will be the fighters’ first-ever title defense against a lightweight contender. Being one of the most competitive divisions in the UFC, coach Javier Mendez talked about the biggest threat to the Dagestani’s crown. 

Mendez discussed Makhachev’s next fight and gave his thoughts on the events of UFC 300 in a podcast session. He believed Justin Gaethje posed the greatest challenge to Islam Makhachev out of all the contenders for the title.

The guy out of all the guys that I thought for us, stylistically, was a very dangerous out of all of them, I thought it was Justin Gaethje. Stylistically because of his wrestling pedigree and his striking is really good, strong. It's all apples and oranges right because everybody brings a different skillset so I thought that he was the biggest threat to us and now he's probably never going to be in the picture 
Javier Mendez via the Javier Mendez Podcast
 
YouTube video

MMA experts said something similar about Gaethje when he fought former UFC lightweight and Mendez’s student, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Many believed back then that the Arizona native would give the hardest time to the ‘Eagle’. However, Nurmagomedov made it look easy and submitted Gaethje in the second round. It won’t be surprising to see Makhachev doing the same if the pair ever fights.

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After his win against Dustin Poirier at UFC 291, Gaethje was a top contender for the lightweight title shot. However, after his devastating loss to Max Holloway, things changed significantly for the fighter. Now, he might have to wait for a long time to get another title shot.

Top UFC lightweight title contender gives his take on Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier fight 

Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier is scheduled to take place at UFC 302. Fans are expecting a banger of a fight. Both Makhachev and Poirier are stylistically different fighters, prompting fans and experts to speculate the result.

Arman Tsarukyan believes Islam Makhachev will use his grappling more against Dustin Poirier
Arman Tsarukyan believes Islam Makhachev will use his grappling more against Dustin Poirier (via GQ/Fan Arch/RingSide24)

Lightweight contender, Arman Tsarukyan recently did an interview with Daniel Cormier where he talked about Makhachev’s grappling against Poirier’s Boxing. 

Islam’s not gonna box with him. He’s not gonna strike with him. He’s gonna try to push him to the cage and take him down and try to submit him.
Araman Tsarukyan via YouTube

With Gaethje out of the picture, Tsarukyan is next in line for the title. Many fans believe the Armenian can give Makhachev the biggest challenge due to their fighting style. However, this will depend upon the result of UFC 302.

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