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Islam Makhachev predicts dominant win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302: ‘I will take his back and choke him’

Officially booked for his first Octagon outing this year for the first time since last October, undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has vowed to fight off any potential submission attempts from incoming foe, Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June, before wrapping up his own stoppage win from his back.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, has been sidelined since October of last year, most recently ending his two-fight rivalry with ex-champion, Alexander Volkanovski in a first round high-kick and strikes KO win.

Islam Makhachev set to fight twice this year ahead of expected UFC return
Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacece

As for former interim gold holder, Poirier, the veteran lightweight staple returned to winning ways at UFC 299 back in March, landing a rallying second round KO win of his own against French contender, Benoit Saint-Denis, before campaigning for a title fight with Makhachev.