Charles Oliveira doesn’t see Poirier or Tsarukyan beating Makhachev

Charles Oliveira picks Islam Makhachev to beat Dustin Poirier and Arman Tsarukyan.

Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) defends his light-weight title in opposition to Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 302 (pay-per-view/ESPN2/ESPN+) headliner at Prudential Heart in Newark, N.J.

Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) fought each Makhachev and Poirier earlier than. “Do Bronx” choked out Poirier to retain his light-weight title at UFC 269 and was dropped and submitted in his vacant title combat in opposition to Makhachev at UFC 280.

“Each striker that faces Islam goes to be the identical factor: (Makhachev) will take you down and have greater possibilities at successful,” Oliveira informed MMA Preventing. “However we’re speaking about MMA, and one hand, one strike that lands can undoubtedly get you the victory.

“Dustin Poirier has proven that in his final combat, he’s proven that many instances already. He has heavy palms and hits laborious, so he undoubtedly can knock him out, however I believe Islam stays as champion.”

Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who defeated Oliveira by break up resolution at UFC 300 in April, was the unique No. 1 contender earlier than he declined the short-notice alternative. Oliveira doesn’t assume he has the ability set to beat Makhachev in a rematch.

“Arman is a man that takes you down and holds you there the whole time,” Oliveira mentioned. “No method. It’s not a combat he can win. In fact, I’ve simply mentioned this and I can’t backtrack, we’re speaking about MMA, and it’s very unpredictable.

“A man closes his eyes and throws a hand that lands, you’re knocked out. He throws a kick that lands, you shoot for a takedown and find yourself in a submission. MMA is unpredictable, however I believe Islam is far more skilled, has extra focus, extra starvation, and is way stronger than Arman.”

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