NEWARK, N.J. – Dustin Poirier had 25 minutes to complete the story, however Islam Makhachev wrote an alternate ending.
In an all-time thrilling battle, Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) submitted Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) with a D’Arce choke on the 2:42 mark of Spherical 5. The light-weight title bout was the UFC 302 predominant occasion Saturday at Prudential Heart.
Poirier instantly discovered himself in deep, harmful waters early in Spherical 1, as Makhachev virtually instantly took him down. Makhachev labored to the again however Poirier’s rear-naked choke protection was ample sufficient to outlive the spherical.
As Spherical 2 progressed, Poirier discovered growing success. He stuffed Makhachev’s takedown makes an attempt, although every sequence was a prolonged battle. Poirier discovered success within the pocket and within the clinch, notably with a left elbow.
With every strike Poirier landed, Prudential Heart burst into deafening cheers. Chants of “F*ck you, Islam,” additionally proved this was Poirier’s turf.
However Makhachev blocked out the hundreds of expletives spit his means. In Spherical 3, he landed some laborious punches on Poirier earlier than he dragged it to the canvas as soon as once more. Poirier dug deep, raised to the ft, and shoved Makhachev off.
Upon the break, Poirier blew out a half-booger, half-blood hybrid and marched ahead. Poirier landed on Makhachev, who returned. The 2 fighters exchanged blows till the end-of-round horn. Poirier caught out his tongue as he walked again to the nook, his eyes swollen.
Each fighters confirmed put on, tear, and fatigue within the early phases of the championship rounds. An initially-slow clinch sequence towards the cage burst right into a Poirier physique shot barrage as he punished the champion’s midsection.
As they separated, Poirier got here on robust. He sliced Makhachev badly above the left eye. On the finish of the spherical, the 2 fighters got here forehead-to-forehead, leaving blood prints on each other.
Within the last spherical, Makhachev engaged Poirier in a takedown try. He was relentless and used a single-leg takedown that tripped Poirier. Makhachev finally labored for a guillotine choke that he switched to a D’Arce to get the faucet.
Poirier remained down whereas medical doctors and fee officers tended to him. Makhachev’s staff hopped the cage in celebration. That included Bellator champion Usman Nurmagomedov, who was seated within the crowd however nonetheless scaled a barrier and the cage to hug his teammate. Nurmagomedov was escorted backstage by safety.
After the struggle, Makhachev known as for a welterweight title shot after his third profitable light-weight title protection.
Poirier hinted as soon as once more at retirement, however couldn’t commit. Poirier was emotional as he shouted out his family members for his or her help all through his profession.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 302 outcomes embrace:
- Islam Makhachev def. Dustin Poirier by way of submission (D’Arce choke) – Spherical 5, 2:42
- Sean Strickland def. Paulo Costa by way of break up choice (46-49, 50-45, 49-46)
- Kevin Holland def. Michal Oleksiejczuk by way of technical submission (armbar) – Spherical 1, 1:34
- Niko Value def. Alex Morono by way of unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Randy Brown def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos by way of unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Roman Kopylov def. Cesar Almeida by way of break up choice (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
- Jailton Almeida def. Alexandr Romanov by way of submission (rear-naked choke) – Spherical 1, 2:27
- Grant Dawson def. Joe Solecki by way of unanimous choice (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jake Matthews def. Phil Rowe by way of unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Bassil Hafez def. Mickey Gall by way of unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Ailin Perez def. Joselyne Edwards by way of unanimous choice (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Andre Lima def. Mitch Raposo by way of break up choice (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
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