jack baer
Staff writer
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.
The best in the world 😮💨@MAKHACHEVMMA remains the lightweight champion with a submission victory! #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/LpSwj8PH0T
— UFC (@ufc) June 2, 2024
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
ISLAM MALHACHEV CHOKES OUT DUSTIN POIRIER LATE IN ROUND 5 OH MY GOODNESS #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/8s4TRTt2ct
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
A true legend 💎#UFC302 | @DustinPoirier pic.twitter.com/4eBwM2oNDp
— UFC (@ufc) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
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.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
"I think this could be it," Poirier tells Rogan after the fight.
See AlsoHow to watch UFC 302 tonight: Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier fight card details, start times and moreUFC Louisville: 21 fun tidbits, facts and storylinesUFC Louisville start time, full fight card details | Cannonier vs. ImavovIslam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier full fight video highlightsYahoo Sports Staff
Usman Nurmagomedov got kicked out of the venue for jumping the barrier to celebrate with Islam Makhachev 😳 #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/DQnT6fdG6C
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
Islam Makhachev chokes out Dustin Poirier and now has the 3rd-longest winning streak in UFC history. #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/LBQTu3UDAl
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
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.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
Gotta be Islam x Arman 2 next. That’s gonna be a tremendous fight.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
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
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
The best in the world 😮💨@MAKHACHEVMMA remains the lightweight champion with a submission victory! #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/LpSwj8PH0T
— UFC (@ufc) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
3 tittle fights 3 submissions . Good job champ 👏🏽👏🏽. Dustin you are a legend!!! You’re a dog brotha !! @ufc
— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
Poirier tells Makhachev he went unconscious right after he tapped.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Islam retains.
He submits Dustin in the 5th via D’Arce after a wild fight and a wild final exchange.
And still.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
Poirier made the fight fun and never backed down from the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Poirier gets taken down and Makhachev locks in a D'arce choke and it's all over as Poirier taps out.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Poirier lands a big left hand!
Yahoo Sports Staff
Khabib giving Islam advice pic.twitter.com/x746pEYH9Y
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
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
— Fury’s Fight Picks (@LucaFury) June 2, 2024
Yahoo Sports Staff
So many people at home praying for a Poirier 5R knockout. That’s how loved he is by the masses. The people’s champ #ufc302
— Hyon Ko (@KoreanJohn_) June 2, 2024
