Islam Makhachev continued his reign over the UFC’s lightweight division with a fifth-round submission win over Dustin Poirier to close out UFC 302.
Makhachev wasted no time in showing why he was a heavy favorite going into the fight. Poirier landed a clean punch that cut his eye, but he responded with a punch of his own and a takedown.
He then spent the majority of the opening frame threatening Poirier with multiple submissions.
Jed Meshew II @JedKMeshew
Islam Makhachev is a suffocating control grappler. Some sort of unholy hybrid between an octopus and a weighted blanket
The second wound was a much more competitive affair. Poirier stayed away from the cage, took the fight to the center of the ring and kept the fight upright.
Shaheen Al-Shatti @shaunalshatti
Much better Round 2 for Dustin Poirier. Mike Brown implored him between rounds to stay away from the fence and he did exactly that. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC302?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#UFC302</a>
Makhachev got his way again in the third round, however, Poirier had some moments too. Makhachev got The DIamond back onto the ground and nearly locked in an armbar but Poirier escaped and worked his way back to the feet.
The two had mutliple exchanges in an action-packed close to the round, sending the bout to the fourth round.
Poirier’s run was destined to come to a disappointing conclusion, though. After getting Makhachev to the fifth and final round he put forth a strong last-ditch effort to get the finish but the champion had one more move left in the arsenal, sinking in a D’Arce choke to retain his championship.
The Dagestani grappler is carving out quite the resume in the lightweight division. With three successful title defenses, he’s tied with B.J. Penn, Frankie Edgar, Benson Henderson and Khabib Nurmagomedov for the most in the lightweight division’s history.
None of those greats have been able to defend it four times in a row. Makhachev’s friend and coach, Nurmagomedov, retired before attempting a fourth defense.
If there’s a threat to Makhachev stopping short of breaking the record, it’s his own boredom. The 32-year-old is just about ready to try his hand at welterweight based on his comments ahead of the fight.
“Honestly, I think it’s my opinion, (I’m) almost done with my division because who is going to be next? Just Arman (Tsarukyan),” he said, per Zac Pacleb of UFC.com. “I already beat (him), and, in my division, I don’t have some interesting fight (or) too exciting fights for me.”
A quick look at the UFC’s lightweight rankings confirms Makhachev’s assessment. Justin Gaethje and Mateusz Gamrot are the only two in the top five that he hasn’t beaten and Gaethje just lost to Max Holloway.
While Makhachev’s victory puts him in rare company, the loss for Poirier could signal the end of a fan favorite’s career.
Poirier told Greg Rosenstein of NBC that he would seriously consider retirement if he loses to Makhachev citing his desire to prioritize his health and family.
