Dustin Poirier has long been considered one of the greatest UFC fighters to never hold an undisputed championship. His journey to the lightweight title match against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 was highly anticipated, with many fans rooting for Poirier to finally achieve his dream. However, Makhachev was determined to retain his title at all costs and put on an impressive performance to do just that.
Throughout the fight, Poirier showed incredible resilience, fending off multiple takedown attempts and escapes from submissions. However, Makhachev’s skill and determination ultimately proved to be too much for Poirier to overcome. In the fifth round, Makhachev caught Poirier with a well-executed ankle pick, followed by a d’arce choke that forced Poirier to tap out at 2:42 in the final frame.
Makhachev’s victory extended his UFC winning streak to an impressive 13 fights, surpassing even his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson for the longest winning streak in lightweight history. Despite rumors of retirement swirling around Poirier following the loss, Makhachev set his sights on a new goal – moving up to welterweight to challenge for a championship in another weight class.
For Poirier, this loss marked his third failed attempt at capturing undisputed gold. The disappointment was evident in his post-fight interview, where he hinted at the possibility of retirement. With a family at home to consider, Poirier questioned whether continuing to fight was worth it if he couldn’t achieve his ultimate goal of winning a championship.
The match itself was a thrilling affair, with Makhachev dominating early on by taking Poirier down and working him over with strikes and submission attempts. However, Poirier showed flashes of brilliance, landing significant strikes and escaping dangerous positions throughout the fight. In the end, Makhachev’s ground game and determination proved to be the deciding factor in securing the victory.
The fight between Dustin Poirier and Islam Makhachev was a testament to the skill and heart of both fighters. While Poirier fell short of his goal once again, Makhachev’s impressive performance solidified his status as the top lightweight fighter in the UFC. As Poirier contemplates his future in the sport, fans will no doubt remember this epic showdown as a display of courage and determination from both competitors.