UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is urging Dustin Poirier not to retire after UFC 302. Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) defends his title against Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 302 (pay-per-view/ESPN2/ ESPN+ ) headliner at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Poirier knocked out highly touted rising contender Benoit Saint Denis to earn his third crack at undisputed gold. “The Diamond” said Makhachev could be his final fight, but Makhachev thinks Poirier still has a lot of fight left in him regardless of the outcome. “He’s old, he’s talking about retirement, but I don’t want him (to) retire after this fight if I beat him,” Makhachev told NBC Sports . “This guy is dangerous.
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Islam Makhachev hopes Dustin Poirier doesn’t retire after UFC 302 – MMA Junkie