Islam Makhachev was a big betting favorite against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. However, the fight showed otherwise. With impressive anti-wrestling and grappling defense, Poirier showed his mettle. On the other hand, Makhachev showcased his slick striking against the veteran Poirier.
After four hard-fought rounds, Islam Makhachev submitted Dustin Poirier via fifth-round D’arce choke in the main event of UFC 302. Poirier walked out to Rihanna‘s Diamonds in front of a pro-USA crowd and showed why he was among the best lightweights ever.
At the time of the finish, one of the judges had the fight 2-2 going into the fifth. The other two judges had it 3-1 for Makahchev. Throughout the fight, Poirier defended Makhachev’s takedowns and submission attempts. However, he faltered in the fifth round as Makhachev used an amazing ankle pick.
My spiciest take from all this is that Prime Conor absolutely has a shot at Islam
— MannyBoom (@CutGuyMMA) June 2, 2024
Poirier had started the fifth round aggressively and even tagged Makhachev. However, Makhachev found a way to put Poirier on the ground and sank in a D’arce choke, forcing the “Diamond” to tap out. Poirier also lost consciousness due to the choke.
Fight fans react to Islam Makhachev’s hard-fought win against Dustin Poirier
Islam Makhachev would’ve never thought he would have to dig deep against Dustin Poirier. Khabib Nurmagomedov, his mentor, had predicted a third-round victory for his protege. Moreover, several fighters thought Makhachev was too much for Poirier. However, Poirier upset the popular narrative.
Islam Makhachev won a hard-fought fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 (Image via: X)Poirier engaged in a back-and-forth fight with Makhachev, damaging each other’s faces. At the start of the fifth round, fight fans felt the undisputed title was in touching distance for the challenger. However, the champion showed why he was the pound-for-pound king. See how fight fans reacted to the fight below.
who the fuck can beat this guy
— Mowgli (@fbgwayno) June 2, 2024
That ankle pick was some John Wick shit
— Russo (@MuchoRusso) June 2, 2024
Prime Conor would gas after the 2nd lol
— A_German_platypus🧟♂️🐸™️ (@PlatypusGerman) June 2, 2024
Arman will be champ next he’s beating this version of Islam
— tonio (@ANTONIOEESPARZA) June 2, 2024
If anything this fight showed us he is beatable
— Foden Admirer 🇧🇼 🇫🇷 (@SuperStones69) June 2, 2024
Dustin took it to him and showed some heart. Even though he lost, he gave every fan a feeling of being proud. Back against the wall, beat and battered, and kept going until the end.
— Real_Jay_Truth (@echthegr8) June 2, 2024
That takedown was nasty, he is the only one Who Can do that in the UFC
— Vini Santana (@ArchyVinny) June 2, 2024
sad result but fantastic fight for the hardcore fans
— Ola Sarcasm (@GDCsarcasm) June 2, 2024
More than a shot, prime Dustin and Conor beat Islam. Can’t believe he was -600
— ً (@darrenGOATtill2) June 2, 2024
In the octagon interview, Makhachev revealed his interest in a shot at the welterweight title, putting the UFC 304 welterweight title clash between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad on focus. On the other hand, Poirier revealed he might retire, citing his age, family obligations, and lack of reason to fight.
Nevertheless, Poirier’s impressive performances have resulted in fight fans contemplating matchups against other superstars at lightweight. Some even picked a ‘prime’ Conor McGregor to defeat the present version of Islam Makhachev.
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