Makhachev doesn't want to retire Poirier at UFC 302, just beat him in the lightweight title clash

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — Islam Makhachev understood the reasons why Dustin Poirier would consider retirement after their lightweight title clash in the main event of UFC 302.

The 35-year-old Poirier has cited family, blossoming business interests, and just a general weariness of the grind that it takes to reach a championship bout as motives as to why he may call it quits, win or lose to Makhachev.

Makhachev just believed Poirier had more fight left in the tank.

“I hope he does not retire after this fight,” Makhachev said. “He’s one of the biggest names in the sport. That’s why I respect him. He’s had a lot of crazy, crazy fights in this sport.”

Unlike scores of trash-talkers in the fight game, Makhachev admires Poirier too much for the Russian to suggest he’ll be the one to retire the Louisiana native and send him fulltime into his hot sauce business.

Much like most any other fighter, Makhachev (25-1) certainly isn’t that humble to suggest Poirier will give him much of a fight.

“Just happy to beat someone who has (a) big name lik...
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