Haris Kruskic: "Dustin Poirier jumps the gilly! Islam Makhachev taps! It's all over!" Is what I hope to hear on Saturday for one of the most earth-shattering moments in UFC history.

However, I'm a pragmatist. What I want and what's reality are very different things. The reality is Makhachev has been the most dominant lightweight since his now coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, decided to call it a career. Meanwhile, Poirier may have one foot out the door as he openly mulls retirement. It just doesn't feel like a good mix.

Makhachev by submission, Rd. 2

Tom Taylor: All of the information available suggests Islam Makhachev will beat Dustin Poirier this Saturday. The champ is as good or better than Khabib Nurmagomedov, who manhandled Poirier in 2019, and he seems to have the skills to finish this one on the mat and on the feet.

But unlike Haris, I just can't pick against "The Diamond." Ever since I watched Max Holloway KO Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, I have felt like there is magic in the air. Holloway wasn't supposed to win that fight, but he did it in style, endearing himself to the few remaining fight fans who weren't already among his supporters. I can't shake the feeling that something similar will happen for Poirier this weekend—something totally improbable, and incredibly dramatic.

You can see where I'm going with this. Yes, that's right. I think this will be the fight where Poirier finally succeeds on a guillotine choke, and he'll finally win an undisputed title in the process.

Poirier by submission, Rd. 2

Lyle Fitzsimmons: If there's not at least a small part of you that hopes for Poirier to find a way to spring the upset, you may not have a soul. But you're probably right. Because finding a path to victory against Benoit Saint-Denis is one thing. Beating a prime Makhachev is quite another. I'll be pulling hard in the other direction, but I won't be at all surprised when it gets to the ground and the "Diamond's" luster is dimmed.

Makhachev by submission, Rd. 3