Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier will fight in a lightweight unification bout at UFC 242. Who will win?
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier predictions.
Frank Hyden MMATorch Columnist
My gut is saying that Poirier is going to pull off the upset but logic and history says that Nurmagomedov is going to win. He’s undefeated in his career and hasn’t even really been challenged. Now, you could say this leads to him losing because Poirier won’t crumble like his other opponents have and Nurmagomedov won’t know how to deal with that. I don’t think that happens. I do think Poirier is Nurmagomedov’s biggest challenge so far but also that Khabib keeps plugging away and finishes Poirier in the third round by TKO to unify the UFC Lightweight Titles and set up that long-awaited fight with Tony Ferguson.
Michael Hiscoe MMATorch Columnist
For Dustin Poirier to be able to beat Khabib Nurmagomedov on Saturday, he’s going to have to bring the best takedown defense imaginable. None of Nurmagomedov’s opponents have had an answer to his wrestling yet. Conor McGregor’s takedown defense is under appreciated, and he couldn’t stop Khabib. With that alone in mind, I think Khabib will take a fairly one sided decision over Poirier to retain his title.
Robert Vallejos MMATorch Managing Editor
Although I don’t think the odds should be be tilted so heavily toward Khabib Nurmagomedov, I do think he gets the W here. Poirier theoretically has the striking ability to catch Nurmagomedov before inevitability happens on the ground. With that said, this is Nurmagomedov’s PPV, he will not disappoint.
More from MMATorch:
- UFC 242 PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS 9/07: Grocke’s updated odds & predictions for every fight
- Throwback Thursday: UFC 142, Aldo goes legend
- Dana White on BJ Penn: He won’t fight again
- POLL! Who wins between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier?
- HYDEN BLOG: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from UFC Shenzhen
- Cris Cyborg signs with Bellator
- MMA Talk for Pro Wrestling Fans – Robert Vallejos talks title victory of Zhang Weili, previews UFC 242 and Bellator 226
- UFC 242 Free Fights: Watch Nurmagomedov vs. Iaquinta, Poirier vs. Gaethje more
Leave a Reply