UFC 302: Makhachev vs. Poirier

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

This should be a fairly easy win for Strickland, he's an all around better striker, more technical, great gas tank, strong chin. It has been 5 years since Costa had a ranked win, he's funny on instagram but I don't think he's at this level. My only worry is Strickland sounds like he's getting tired of UFC since they obviously don't want him to be champion again and he already mentioned doing money boxing fights. But the UFC apparently raised his payout for this fight so I think he will show up in good form.

Saying Costa isn't at this level while almost KO'ing Whittaker is such a dumbass, brain dead take

Strickland vs Costa is the battle of pillow hands

They are not the same level. Paulo is better

@SANGRES 

I agree both are pillow-fisted, but it is so funny how one dropped Izzy and the other dropped Yoel 😂

@BrooksGladson 

I guess their pillow hands will cancel out during the fight and they'll just need to throw one punch to knock each other out

I kinda gave up on the idea of going to this card a month ago and the Fluffy/Dolidze fight getting canceled kind of sealed that for me. 

However, cheapest tickets right now are around $400. If they drop closer to $300 I might consider it just to go watch Islam. The rest of this card just doesn't interest me whatsoever. 

Costa didn't almost KO Whittaker. He is pillow-footed as well 🤣

@Harbinger 

I don’t know why people are down voting the fact that Paulo Costa is a pillow puncher despite his build

💎

Tap should let us make picks on what Poirier will cry about in the post fight interview

Apparently UFC originally wanted Strickland vs Chimaev, but Strickland couldn't get a visa to the middle east and Chimaev can no longer get a visa to the west. That's why Whittaker was sent instead.

So Sean getting offered Costa wasn't meant to be lowballing or disrespectful, he was just the only one available.

Strickland vs. Costa
Paulo Costa, DEC
Paulo lands the better shots in this fight

Gall vs. Hafez
Bassil Hafez, TKO, R2
hafez holds power in those hands grappling exchanges until hafez lands the bomb

Makhachev vs. Poirier
Islam Makhachev, SUB, R2
Realistically rooting for the diamond, but Islam is next level and Poirier reaching 35 now is a bit troubling when going against Makhachev. Gonna be a brutal is a guarantee.

Makhachev vs. Poirier
Islam Makhachev, TKO, R2
Dustin has a weakness against high level grapplers.

Strickland vs. Costa
Strickland, DEC
Costa doesn't like getting hit in the face at all and has not demonstrated one punch KO power like Potan etc. Strickland's relentless style should get to costa and Strickland should overwhelm him with volume.

Jailton Almeidavs.Alexandr Romanov
Almeida, TKO, R3
Romanov was hyped for a while but seems to have been overhyped. Not seen anything special from him lately.

Niko Pricevs.Alex Morono
Morono TKO, R3
Price seems like a great guy but he just seems so slow. Morono is a decent boxer with speed, I see him getting the win convincingly here.

Tumendemberel vs. Lima
André Lima, TKO, R2
André Lima

Taira vs. Van
Tatsuro Taira, SUB, R2
krek

Price vs. Morono
Alex Morono, TKO, R1
ALEX MORONOOO

Rowe vs. Matthews
Jake Matthews, SUB, R2
Jake Matthews