Who wins Saturday’s UFC 236 main event between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier?
Cole Henry, Host – MMA Scope Podcast
Why can’t these questions ever be easy? I think that Holloway will have a lot of advantages, and I’m not sure that Poirier will have many at all. But what Poirier does have is an absolutely relentless style and good power in his hands. I don’t think he can outstrike or out grapple Holloway, but if he can make it ugly then it’s possible that he can pull something off. These two have fought before obviously, but Holloway was a young man at the time and fresh in the UFC. As far as my actual pick goes, I am actually leaning towards Poirier. Holloway will be tough to handle in the first couple of rounds but of Poirier can attack the legs and wear Holloway down enough I think it’s possible he could walk away with a decision. I don’t have a ton of confidence in the pick because Holloway is an absolute monster, but I’m going with my gut here.
Frank Hyden, Columnist – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
I’m taking Holloway. Poirier is so good I feel bad picking against him, but this man Holloway is something special. You could make the argument that he’s the best fighter in the world right now. The things he’s done already in his career are incredible. I’m picking Holloway to win by TKO in the 4th round. Poirier is tough and I wanted to say the fight goes to decision, but it’s so hard to withstand five full rounds in there with Holloway. This should be an amazing fight and I’m excited about it.
Sean Covington, Columnist – Covington’s Corner
I can see Dustin Poirier getting overwhelmed, I can also imagine Max Holloway being outmatched and going down via knockout. Max is a little too one dimensional for this fight and I believe Dustin is much hungrier. Max gets hit, getting hit by Dustin won’t be the same as being hit by anyone else Max has faced. Early round K.O./stoppage for Dustin Poirier. I like Max but I think he’s done all he can do besides rematch McGregor.
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Michael Hiscoe, MMATorch Managing Editor
While I do support claims that people might be underestimating Dustin Poirier here, I still think Max Holloway in this fight. Holloway, in his two fights with Jose Aldo, and his most recent war with Brian Ortega, has shown a sophistication in his striking and game planning that is a level above other fighters. Poirier is durable, but he can be baited into back and forth brawls and I think Holloway will be able to take advantage of that. Much like the Aldo and Ortega fights, I expect Holloway to be slow to start and then really turn up the heat in the fourth and fifth rounds at which point I think he’ll be able to secure a late TKO victory and become the latest (sort-of) UFC champ champ.
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