Israel Adesanya Praises Dustin Poirier, Predicts Max Holloway Trilogy Fight
Israel Adesanya recently commended Dustin Poirier, stating that the Louisiana native should always be recognized as a fighter who won the UFC championship. Adesanya brushed off critics who nitpick Poirier for never holding the undisputed champion status, emphasizing that the interim lightweight title Poirier won after defeating Max Holloway at UFC 236 in April 2019 should not be overlooked. Despite Poirier’s unsuccessful attempts to unify the title against Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Islam Makhachev, Adesanya emphasized Poirier’s tenacity in the Octagon.
Acknowledging Poirier’s standing as one of the greatest 155-pound fighters, Adesanya expressed his support for Poirier as he prepares to face Holloway for the third time at UFC 318 in his retirement fight. The event is scheduled to take place in Louisiana, Poirier’s home turf.
In a YouTube video, Adesanya dismissed detractors who belittle Poirier’s accomplishments and asserted that the interim champion deserves to be considered a champion in his own right. Adesanya stated, “He is a champion, no matter what. He’s got a belt at his house, at his gym, sitting there to represent him as a champion at one point.” Adesanya also highlighted Poirier’s impressive UFC career, emphasizing that aspiring fighters would be fortunate to achieve even half of Poirier’s success.
Furthermore, Adesanya shared his prediction for the upcoming Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier trilogy fight at UFC 318. While Adesanya praised Poirier’s skills and track record, he ultimately sided with Holloway to emerge victorious in their third encounter. Adesanya pointed out Holloway’s defensive prowess and predicted that Holloway’s strategic approach would give him the edge over Poirier in the fight.
Adesanya elaborated on his prediction by noting Poirier’s tendency to revert to old habits when fatigued, contrasting it with Holloway’s endurance and adaptability in the cage. Adesanya emphasized that Holloway’s defensive soundness and agility could potentially lead to a knockout victory over Poirier.
As fight fans eagerly anticipate the Holloway vs. Poirier trilogy showdown, Adesanya’s insights and predictions add an intriguing layer of analysis to the highly anticipated event. With Poirier’s legacy as a respected UFC competitor and Holloway’s impressive skills on display, UFC 318 promises to be a thrilling spectacle for MMA enthusiasts worldwide.
