UFC 302: Islam Makhachev retains lightweight title with win over Dustin Poirier, tops Khabib Nurmagomedov's win streak
/dnl.tntsports.co.uk/sd/img/placeholder/tnt_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 05/06/2024 at 10:54 GMT+1
Dustin Poirier's pro career is hanging in the balance after Islam Makhachev delivered his third loss in five. The student of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov snagged Performance of the Night for the third time in his four lightweight title bouts, as he ticked off another big name while retaining his crown and maintaining his place as the pound-for-pound No. 1.
‘Showing all the heart’ - Islam Makhachev submits Dustin Poirier in fifth round
With Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner, Islam Makhachev overtook the UFC winning streak of his mentor with a lightweight title defence against Dustin Poirier.
The pound-for-pound king has now set his sights on a move to welterweight, as he wants to "feel the energy" of wearing a new crown. British-Jamaican star Leon Edwards currently sits on that throne.
Makhachev won his 14th straight fight - and fourth in a row for the 155-pound crown - as he took Performance of the Night honours with a late submission at UFC 302.
The defeat leaves Poirier's pro career hanging in the balance, with 'Diamond' suggesting he may hang up the mitts after a third defeat in his last five outings.
"I think this could be it, honestly," an emotional Poirier said in the Octagon after the bruising encounter.
The reigning champion got Poirier on the ground within a minute and set the tone by squeezing his opponent via complete leg control.
Makhachev attempted a kimura, but the challenger rolled out of it, before also defending several armbar attempts.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/06/02/3980817-80792053-2560-1440.jpg)
‘I think this could be it’ - Poirier hints at retirement after loss to Makhachev at UFC 302
A takedown attempt to start round two was unsuccessful as Poirier knew the danger and ensured he stayed on his feet to avoid wrestling.
Indeed, he then landed a few blows towards the end of the round to ignite the raucous New Jersey crowd - which featured former president Donald Trump - as the American received huge home support.
The Russian managed a takedown late in the session, though, and opened the third with the same. He piled on the pressure, again attempting an armbar but to no avail.
Makhachev is not a one-trick pony, though. He showed his variety by trading strikes in the fourth, connecting with several clean shots as he threatened a knockout. In a very watchable exchange, Poirier cut the champ's forehead and then went to the body brilliantly.
Poirier continued to stuff takedown attempts in the fifth and final round, still landing the odd left hook after his corner told him the knockout win was there for him.
But eventually Makhachev displayed his supreme ability on the ground to end the contest. The 32-year-old transitioned from a guillotine into a d'arce choke, which ultimately caused Poirier to tap. The submission came with 2:18 remaining.
It marked the third time Poirier had climbed the lightweight mountain only to be thrown off just before reaching the summit, with Charles Oliveira and Khabib having previously beaten the 35-year-old.
An emotional Poirier said: "I know I can compete with the best of these guys. It’s just that if I do fight again what am I fighting for?
"Just to fight? I’ve done that 50 times. I don’t know, I’ve got a little girl I love and I’ve got to see. I think this could be it, honestly."
Since his sole professional defeat back in 2015, Makhachev has now racked up 14 successive victories in MMA's biggest promotion - one more than mentor Khabib managed before retiring in 2020.
The latter reflected in the locker room: "Today, Islam grew a lot. When you go deep like today, it shows people you understand your body and inside how deep you can go.
"All the time people underestimate themselves. Our bodies, our souls, can go deeper than five rounds, 10 rounds. You just have to find this. It was a very good fight."
Makhachev, meanwhile, added in the Octagon that he is now eyeing a rise to the 170-pound division, where Edwards - also unbeaten since 2015 - currently rules.
"I want to fight for the second belt," Makhachev said. "I want to feel that energy again. When you defend your belt, it's not the same."
Strickland too strong for Costa
In the co-main, Sean Strickland cemented his status as the No. 1 contender for Dricus Du Plessis' middleweight title, beating Paulo Costa.
However, his split-decision victory was marred by a scorecard controversy. Despite Strickland seemingly winning very comfortably throughout, judge Dave Tirelli gave Costa the nod by 49-46. The others went for 49-46 and 50-45 Strickland.
Such was his domination, the American apologised for the lack of spectacle: "It was a boring fight, I’m sorry guys. That Brazilian goes backwards fast, I’m not known for being athletic."
UFC 302 full card results
- Islam Makhachev submission (2:42, round five) v Dustin Poirier
- Sean Strickland SD (46-49, 50-45) v Paulo Costa
- Kevin Holland submission (1:34, round one) v Michal Oleksiejczuk
- Niko Price UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) v Alex Morono
- Randy Brown UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) v Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
- Roman Kopylov SD (29-28, 30-27, 28-29) v Cesar Almeida
- Jailton Almeida submission (2:27, round one) v Alexandr Romanov
- Grant Dawson UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) v Joe Solecki
- Jake Matthews UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) v Philip Rowe
- Bassil Hafez UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) v Mickey Gall
- Ailin Perez UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) v Joselyne Edwards
- Andre Lima SD (30-27, 30-27, 28-29) v Mitch Raposo
- - -
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement