[ad_1]
UFC 257 will potentially shape the future of the lightweight division through high profile main and co-main events.
With reigning lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov reportedly teasing a possible return to action based on an impressive performance by one of the four fighters – Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler and Dan Hooker – the stakes are even higher. high.
While Chandler and Hooker are both focused on each other, it’s impossible to ignore the magnitude of the main event. McGregor will make his first UFC appearance in a year, while Poirier seeks revenge after suffering an unbalanced loss to the Irish superstar in their previous meeting in 2014.
When it comes to the actual game, Chandler sees time as the key to Poirier’s success because McGregor is an incredibly fast starter, the former interim lightweight champion has to find a way to survive those early rounds and then he may begin to inflict punishment. of its own.
“I’m saying in the final laps Conor is going to have his hands full with Dustin’s ability to withstand damage, his cluster punches, volume and the pressure he can put on Conor with a lot more crisp hits.” than [Nate] Diaz, ”Chandler said when speaking to MMA Fighting. “We’ve seen that in a lot of other fights with Diaz where Diaz was able to kind of carry Conor and land some big shots, but Poirier has a lot more power, a lot more meaningful precision than a guy like Diaz. It will be interesting.
“If Poirier can withstand these first two rounds, the storm that is Conor McGregor in these first two rounds, it will be a very interesting fight.
Hooker actually brings first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to spend five rounds in the Octagon with Poirier after their fight last June.
Although he failed on the scorecards, Hooker took Poirier’s best punches and fought back with some of his own. After 25 minutes of war with Poirier, Hooker says it would be an absolute mistake to rule out his ability to thwart McGregor’s advances, even in those early rounds.
“I’m giving him a good chance,” Hooker said of Poirier beating McGregor. “I think so much has changed, especially in Dustin Poirier’s game since that first fight. I have the impression that it has developed so much. He’s the most durable guy. He’s hands down the longest lasting guy in the division. His cardio and gas tank are on another level.
“It’s one aspect of the fight where I could see him getting the best of McGregor just with the pace he pushes and the pressure he can put on.
Despite all the compliments piled up on Poirier’s shoulders leading up to the rematch, it’s still difficult for Chandler or Hooker to pull the trigger and pick him to beat McGregor.
In fact, Hooker thinks McGregor really is the class in the lightweight division if Nurmagomedov decides not to come back and stay in retirement.
“In my opinion, skill for skill, technique for technique, I feel like the most talented and technically strong fighter in the division with the champion retired,” Hooker said.
Chandler said much the same, adding that his interest in fighting certainly matters more if Nurmagomedov remains in retirement and the UFC is to crown a new lightweight champion.
“If I’m a bettor, I still have to put my money on Conor,” Chandler said. “Just because he has this great aura of time on him.” A week of fighting with Conor and preparing to fight Conor on Conor’s terms, Conor’s hype, getting into the cage against Conor is his wheelhouse. Even the first time Poirier did it, it wasn’t close to what it is now.
“The mystique of combat sports icon Conor McGregor and the aura he brings to this UFC octagon. We’ll see if he can last those first two rounds, we’re going to have a really good fight at the end of the second and third round, fourth and fifth round. I’m going to grab some popcorn and look at the cage side and expect to fight the winner.
[ad_2]
Source link