UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev is urging Dustin Poirier to not retire after UFC 302.
Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) defends his title in opposition to Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 302 (pay-per-view/ESPN2/ESPN+) headliner at Prudential Middle in Newark, N.J.
Poirier knocked out extremely touted rising contender Benoit Saint Denis to earn his third crack at undisputed gold. “The Diamond” stated Makhachev could possibly be his ultimate battle, however Makhachev thinks Poirier nonetheless has quite a lot of battle left in him whatever the consequence.
“He’s previous, he’s speaking about retirement, however I don’t need him (to) retire after this battle if I beat him,” Makhachev informed NBC Sports activities. “This man is harmful. He can beat all people. He’s quantity, like, prime 5 on this planet, you realize? That’s why I don’t suppose it’s a good suggestion for him to speak about retiring, as a result of he’s nonetheless a really harmful man. That’s why I’m getting ready very exhausting for him.”
As for Makhachev, the champion isn’t involved with what’s subsequent however is open to regardless of the UFC provides.
“I’m simply interested by my subsequent battle,” Makhachev stated. “It’s not my job interested by the longer term as a result of I’ve a supervisor. I’ve a staff. I’m preventing within the UFC. They make the choice. Who they put in opposition to me, I might be prepared. It’s going to be Arman (Tsarukyan), or it’s going to be Leon (Edwards), or it’s going to be another person. I might be prepared.”
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