Carlos Oliveira choices Islam Makhachev to defeat Dustin Poirier It is Arman Tsarukyan.
Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) defends his lightweight title against Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 302 (pay-per-view/ESPN2/ESPN+) at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) has fought Makhachev and Poirier before. “Do Bronx” choked Poirier to retain the lightweight title at UFC 269 and was dropped and submitted in the vacant title fight against Makhachev at UFC 280.
“Every attacker who faces Islam will be the same thing: (Makhachev) will take you down and have a greater chance of winning,” said Oliveira MMA fight. “But we’re talking about MMA, and one hand, one successful blow can certainly lead to victory.
“Dustin Poirier showed that in his last fight, he’s shown that many times. He has heavy hands and hits hard, so he can definitely knock him out, but I think Islam remains the champion.”
Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who defeated Oliveira via split decision at UFC 300 in April, he was the original No. 1 candidate before turning down the short-term opportunity. Oliveira doesn’t think he has the skills to beat Makhachev in a rematch.
“Arman is a guy who knocks you down and holds you back all the time,” said Oliveira. “No chance. It’s not a fight he can win. Of course, I just said that and I can’t take it back, we’re talking about MMA and it’s very unpredictable.
“A guy closes his eyes and throws a hand that hits, you get knocked out. He throws a kick that connects, you kick to take him down and finish. MMA is unpredictable, but I think Islam is much more experienced, has more focus, is hungrier and is much stronger than Arman.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 302.
