UFC analyst and former welterweight title contender Dan Hardy believes Dustin Poirier will have the edge going into Saturday night’s fight against Michael Johnson at UFC Fight Night 94.
Poirer (20-4) has been on a four-fight win streak since moving up to lightweight from featherweight, while Johnson looks to get back on track after a two-fight losing streak.
‘The Outlaw’ spoke about this weekend’s main event and gave his perspective as to how the fight between Poirier and Johnson goes down.
“I give a slight advantage to Dustin Poirier,” Hardy told MMAJunkie Radio. “I think his confidence is at an all-time high right now. I think he feels so much better now that he’s moved to lightweight. Some of the guys he’s taken out have been very impressive, whereas Michael Johnson will be feeling the pressure coming off of two losses.”
“I certainly feel like Dustin feeds off of his confidence a lot more than some fighters, especially given his fighting style. He needs to be confident as he moves forward behind powerful punches. If not, he’s gonna be on the end of Johnson’s jab all night. And that’s not where he wants to be.”
Sitting at #7 on the UFC’s official rankings, Dustin Poirier could make it 5 straight since making the jump up to lightweight. With a win over Michael Johnson, Poirier very well could find himself in the mix for a title shot at the top of a stacked lightweight division.
Johnson on the other hand knows he’s in a must-win situation in Hidalgo, Texas, and has warned Poirier to be careful of fighting against a desperate man.
Who do you have between these two lightweight sluggers? Will Johnson bounce back after losing two fights in a row? Or will Poirier continue his unbeaten streak at 155 pounds? Sound off in the comments section, PENN Nation!