Islam Makhachev retained his title once again, but Dustin Poirier didn’t give him an inch during a thrilling main event at UFC 302.
Early on, it looked like Makhachev might just maul his way to another victory. However, Poirier displayed incredible heart and determination, showcasing much improved takedown defense that gave the reigning lightweight champion fits. Still, Makhachev’s relentless attack never slowed and he eventually dragged Poirier to the canvas where he latched on a fight ending D’Arce choke that earned the tap at 2:42 in the fifth and final round.
As they embraced after the end of the fight, Poirier told Makhachev that he actually fell unconscious from the choke just as he tapped out.
“I think Dustin did a great camp, his coaches working very well and he prepared very good,” Makhachev said after his latest title defense. “He defended my takedowns and gave me a hard time. He’s a champion and a legend of the sport. Thank you, Dustin.”
It certainly wasn’t the outcome that Poirier wanted after he openly stated that this title shot might be the last of his career. In fact, Poirier hinted that Saturday night could serve as his final walk, although he wasn’t ready to make any definitive statements about his future just yet.
“He’s the champ,” Poirier said of Makhachev. “I thought I was starting to chip away at him. He just kept coming back. I thought I was doing a really good job of takedown defense, me and [Mateusz] Gamrot worked for six weeks on getting back to my feet, not giving up position, not giving up the hooks. I stopped most of them in the open, he got me down against the fence but here [in the middle], he did a low single, like an ankle pick almost and whipped my leg up and that was the end.
“I know I can compete with the best of these guys. If I do fight again, what am I fighting for? Just to fight. I’ve done that 50 times. I think this could be it honestly.”
If this is the end, Poirier went out on his shield, giving the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport everything he could handle.
The fight didn’t start that way for Poirier after Makhachev scored his first takedown less than a minute into the opening round. Makhachev shredded Poirier’s defense as he started setting up submissions and it appeared momentarily that it might be a short night for “The Diamond.”
A split second after he got the takedown, Makhachev locked in a kimura, but Poirier scrambled free before ending up with the champion wrapped around him with a body triangle. Makhachev continued working from the back as he looked to lock in a rear-naked choke while also hammering away with punches whenever the opening presented itself.
It was the worst case scenario for Poirier to start the fight, but he survived to make it to the second round.
On the restart, Poirier thwarted a pair of takedown attempts, which didn’t stop Makhachev from connecting with the better punches early because his opponent was wary of the wrestling. Makhachev stayed smart in the striking exchanges, and Poirier didn’t really come alive until time was ticking away with less than a minute remaining in the round.
As the third round began, Makhachev drew blood on Poirier with a huge knee up the middle that gave way to a takedown against the cage. As soon as saw an opening, Makhachev took Poirier’s back and then mauled his way to the mount, only for Poirier to explode out of the bad spot to get back to his feet again.
Despite the brief moment of success, Poirier had significant swelling growing under his right eye and he kept wiping at his left eye after Makhachev popped him with a punch.
The relentless attacks from Makhachev did not slow down as he cracked Poirier with another stiff combination in the fourth round, which led to another takedown against the cage. Poirier stayed strong, eventually slipping free, and when Makhachev got back to his feet, he had blood pouring down his face from an inside elbow that sliced him open.
With attention from his corner between rounds, Makhachev came out more determined than ever with five minutes remaining. He made Poirier react to his strikes and then jumped down to grab an ankle to bring the fight down to the floor for the final time.
Poirier desperately tried to get back up again but this time Makhachev found an opening to lock on a D’Arce choke and as he rolled to his side, it was clear the submission was in deep with suffocating precision. A moment later, Poirier tapped and Makhachev celebrated another victory.
Dispatching Poirier puts Makhachev’s win streak at 14 in a row overall and he now counts three title defenses on his résumé as well. Ideally, Makhachev would like a chance at becoming a two-division champion next with designs on capturing welterweight gold in his next appearance.
“It’s my dream,” Makhachev said. “I want to fight for the second belt. I want to feel that energy again. I need a new one. This is my dream.”
