UFC 300: Dustin Poirier Predicts Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway
Dustin Poirier isn’t allowed to bet on UFC fights, but “The Diamond” knows who he'd put money on when two of his former opponents meet at UFC 300.
The headlining bout for UFC 300 is still a mystery, but fans have been looking forward to the co-main event between BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje and former featherweight king Max Holloway from the moment that fight was announced.
Poirier defeated Holloway in "Blessed's" lightweight debut at UFC 236 and has also shared the Octagon with Gaethje twice, and the 32-year-old revealed his pick for their UFC 300 matchup during a recent conversation with Ariel Helwani.
Poirier gave Holloway a rude welcome to the lightweight division at UFC 236.
(John David Mercer/USA TODAY Sports)
“If I could bet – I respect both guys, both guys are great fighters,” Poirier said on The MMA Hour. “ I think I would put money on Max, just him being [the underdog]. I see a lot of people online saying that Max is gonna be undersized and that, and Max is a big guy. Him and Gaethje probably walk around the same weight.”
“The Diamond” looked to have a significant power advantage when he and Holloway met for the interim lightweight belt in 2019, but the Hawaiian’s legendary chin held up before he dropped a unanimous decision on the scorecards.
Gaethje is currently around a 2-1 favorite heading into UFC 300, and even though Poirier is well-acquainted with the BMF champion’s considerable power he still would take the underdog odds on Holloway if given the chance.
Gaethje avenged a 2018 loss to Poirier in his last fight.
(Jeff Swinger/USA TODAY Sports)
“Max isn't a small guy. And the striking, the timing of Max – his range, his durability. It’s a coin toss, but if I was betting I would bet Max.”
Although the BMF title is largely symbolic, an upset victory at UFC 300 would allow Holloway to finally reclaim a UFC belt for the first time since 2019 and also spoil Gaethje’s plans to take the lightweight strap from Islam Makhachev.
Poirier is coming off a knockout loss to Gaethje in their rematch at UFC 291, but “The Diamond” is still the UFC’s #3-ranked lightweight and will try to jump back into title contention himself when he takes on Benoit Saint-Denis in a five-round co-main event at UFC 299.
If you use any quotes from this article, please leave an H/T to MMAKnockout.com for the transcription.
Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC and MMA