In perhaps the most dangerous bout of his reign as UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev lived up to his title as the promotion's top pound-for-pound fighter.
The Russian defeated UFC veteran Dustin Poirier with a fifth-round submission to defend his belt in a fight that seemed to be trending against him in the later rounds. He spent much of the fight in control on the ground, but was stuffed on several takedown events and was sporting a gnarly forehead cut going into the fifth.
The whole effort looked like it would be a lot easier in the first round, when Makhachev clocked Poirier, took him down and took his back, spending the next four minutes looking for a choke or arm triangle. Poirier fought all of those attempts off and started to find his footing in the second round. It has proven to be borderline impossible to beat Makhachev on the ground, but Poirier fought him off as much as he needed to and landed some big strikes to keep the fight fairly even.
With the Prudential Center in Newark crowd firmly behind the American underdog, an upset very much seemed possible had Poirier won the fifth round. Makhachev snuffed out that threat with a D'Arce choke and was soon being mobbed by his corner as Poirier laid on the floor, either unconscious or close to it.
It was yet another stellar display of creativity and talent by Makhachev, who said he would next like to compete for the UFC welterweight crown, currently held by Leon Edwards. Makhachev has now defended his belt three times, with the other two coming against former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
"It's my dream. I want to fight for the second belt. I want to feel that energy again, because when you defend your belt, it's not the same. I need new one," Makhachev said.
As for Poirier, the 35-year-old indicated he was seriously considering retirement, though he said he wasn't 100% yet. This was his third shot at the lightweight belt, with the other two also resulting in submission losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was in Makhachev's corner Saturday, and Charles Oliveira.
"If I do fight again, what am I fighting for? Just to fight? I've done that 50 times," Poirier said. "I don't know. I've got a little girl I love, I gotta see. I think this could be it, honestly."
Here's how the entire UFC 302 card went down. It was a great night if you like wins by decision, some with absolutely inscrutable decisions from the judges.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
RESULT: Islam Makhachev def. Dustin Poirier via submission (d'arce choke) at 2:42 of Round 5
Well. Seeing that little girl turn her face into her mom’s stomach to cry as her dad assured her that he’s fine is gonna break my heart. So that’s a good note to end on.
Makhachev says he wants to fight for the 170-pound belt next.
Yahoo Sports Staff
That was a beautiful takedown there to set up the finish for Makhachev. Give that man his due. But also Poirier didn’t fight like a dude who should have been a 5-1 underdog.
Great finish from Islam and he showed a lot of grit, against a very determined Poirier. I had it 2-2 going into the 5th round. Great fight from both men!! #ufc302
My guess is Poirier is down to far in the scorecards despite the spirited effort. However, there were two rounds close enough that judges could give them to him considering how off base they can be. Round five shouldn’t decide the decision but it might. #ufc302
Poirier gets out and up from the ground and is fired up, yelling in Islam's face. Makhachev calmly back away, then lands some quick shots.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Man, you give Islam anything and suddenly he’s all over you. Poirier let him get double underhooks and within 30 seconds it’s takedown to back control to body triangle.
One minute into Round 3 and Islam has Poirier's back. Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is cornering Makhachev tonight, finished Poirier via rear naked choke in their lightweight title fight in 2019
Yahoo Sports Staff
Round 2: Poirier did better than the first, but Makhachev up big on significant strikes.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Poirier is making Islam seem a lot more mortal in Round 2. When the action is in the center of the cage it’s a different fight.
Round 1: Poirier survives the first round despite Makhachev being in total control for 95% of the round. Poirier defended multiple submission attempts well, but Makhachev will just do more of the same in round 2.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Makhachev on your back with a body triangle halfway through the first round is not exactly ideal.
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