UFC 299 Predictions: Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Picks | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Haris Kruskic: Sometimes the stage is just perfect for a changing of the guard.
Dustin Poirier has been close to the top of the lightweight division for nearly a decade, but it's been years since he fought new, hungry blood. Benoit Saint-Denis is scary. There's a reason the No. 12-ranked lightweight is getting a co-main event fight with Dustin freakin' Poirier. BSD can end things at a moment's notice.
Respect to Poirier for taking a fight like this that can only elevate his opponent, but it's the God of War's time.
Prediction: Saint-Denis by submission, Rd. 2
Tom Taylor: I count myself among Poirier's most ardent supporters. His fights are always thrilling, even when he comes up short, and he seems like a great dude outside the Octagon. I would love to see him snag the undisputed lightweight title before he calls it a career, but unfortunately, I just don't see it happening.
Saint-Denis is a juggernaut, and he doesn't seem like the type to be spooked by Poirier's experience and accomplishments. I see him putting the pressure on the former interim champion early, and eating some shots in order to land a big one of his own sometime in Round 1 or 2.
From there, it's just a question of whether he finishes things off with another knockout, or his jiu jitsu, which is even more dangerous than his striking.
Like Haris said, there's a changing of the guard afoot. If you see my eyes welling up as it happens, rest assured it's just my seasonal allergies.
Prediction: Saint-Denis by TKO, Rd. 2
Lyle Fitzsimmons: I'm a Poirier guy. So, I don't want to believe it's over.
And perhaps I'm being too sentimental, but I don't believe it's going to be.
Though he's lost a couple of recent fights in devastating fashion, Poirier is still a fighter. He still arrives in shape. He's still fired up by the prospect of combat. And he's motivated by the fact that a No. 12 contender is a betting favorite against him.
There'll be an exchange. He'll win it.
Prediction: Poirier by TKO, Round 3
