EXCLUSIVE | Pro fighters make their picks for Max Holloway vs Dustin Poirier 2

By Cole Shelton - April 11, 2019

In the main event of UFC 236, this Saturday, featherweight champion Max Holloway will move up in weight to take on Dustin Poirier for the interim lightweight championship.

Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier

Ahead of the rematch, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the fight. The consensus is that it will be a close interesting fight.

Here’s what they had to say.

BJPENN.com Fighter Picks: Max Holloway vs Dustin Poirier 2

Eryk Anders, UFC light heavyweight: I think Poirier does a good job of getting inside and boxing. He can wrestle a little bit and Max likes to stay on the outside and pick his shots. Poirier has looked phenomenal at lightweight so I think Poirier.

Max Griffin, UFC welterweight: I am going with Holloway. I know Poirier beat him in the past and he has been so good at lightweight, but just what Holloway did to Ortega. I think Max is on his own level.

Jose Torres, Brave CF flyweight: That is a phenomenal fight. I am friends with Poirier, he is my sauna buddy. It is such a great fight. Poirier was able to win the first fight, but this is years later, they are both different. Poirier is more of a stand up fighter and Holloway is looking phenomenal on his feet, dominating Aldo twice and doing what he did to Brian Ortega. For me, I do give Poirier the stronger weapons but Holloway grows stronger as the fight goes on. For me, it could go either way, but I think Poirier will win. He is 1-0 against Holloway so I think he will make it 2-0.

Sodiq Yusuff, UFC featherweight: That is a good fight, man. I never can’t out Max. I have been a big fan of Max and I am interested to see what he can do at lightweight. But, Poirier is dangerous. I want to see if Max can keep up that volume at lightweight. Poirier is long enough to give Max some problems and it will be a good matchup, and I’m not sure.

Fernie Garcia, LFA bantamweight: I think Holloway will beat Poirier. Dustin will try and stand with him, but, I don’t think he will be able to.

Jason Knight, BKFC featherweight: I am going to go with Max Holloway but I would like to see Poirier win. He is a southern guy as well. Max Holloway is most likely going to win the fight. He is on another level, he hasn’t lost in forever. It is going to be a tough fight for Dustin.

Randy Costa, UFC bantamweight: I really like Dustin, but I think Max is going to pull it off. Max always finds a way to win. His fight IQ is outrageous. I’m picking Max but I would not be surprised if Dustin wins.

Khalil Rountree, UFC light heavyweight: I am a big fan of Poirier and Holloway is a tremendous fighter. Holloway’s record and accomplishments speak for themselves. Poirier has fought the best of the best and I think all that hard work and dedication will pay off and he will win

Austin Lingo, LFA featherweight: Max Holloway. He is a beast to me. He is really well rounded. His standup is good, he can use kicks, his ground is good, too. That is just a well-rounded fighter.

Diego Ferreira, UFC lightweight: Dustin Poirier by TKO.

***

Fighters picking Max Holloway: Max Griffin, Fernie Garcia, Jason Knight, Randy Costa, Austin Lingo

Fighters picking Dustin Poirier: Eryk Anders, Jose Torres, Khalil Rountree, Diego Ferreira

Fighters undecided: Sodiq Yusuff

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 4/11/2019. 


Topics:

Dustin Poirier Exclusive MMA Interviews Max Holloway UFC UFC 236