AND STILL!!!

*** HIGHLIGHTS! Watch Makhachev’s Title-Saving Submission Right Here! ***

UFC 302 heats up Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., tonight (Sat., June 1, 2024) as Lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev, looks to cement his legacy with a win over Octagon legend, Dustin Poirier.

Makhachev — UFC’s reigning and defending Lightweight champion (pound-for-pound king, too) — is riding a staggering 13-fight win streak, conquering former champions such as Charles Oliveira and Alexander Volkanovski (twice) along the way. However, a truly defining 155-pound title defense has eluded him to date. The closeness of the first Volkanovski fight and the short-notice nature of the second cast a shadow, and Poirier — just 2-2 in his four most recent appearances — isn’t the clear-cut No. 1 contender many expected.

Not really close, either.

Nevertheless, Poirier cannot be underestimated (even though he will be). But, at 35 of age — with two losses in his last four outings — the question remains: Is he still top dog? A win here would be a monumental upset, rewriting his entire legacy in 25 minutes or less.

Enough talk — it’s time to fight!

Live updates will begin to flow below the moment the two fighters make their way to the Octagon …

Poirier, the challenger, was the first to make the walk to the Octagon … with purpose:

And then it was time for Makhachev to make his championship entrance:

Round One

Both fighters donned the new gold gloves … and we were off and punching. Poirier got the action started with a hard low kick as Islam opened with a big high kick that missed. And in just 40 seconds, Poirier’s back was on the mat with Islam on top of him — it looked like a punch dazed “The Diamond” along the cage and that’s all the Dagestani needed to get horizontal. He worked some solid ground-and-pound and locked in a tight kimura, which Poirier was able to somehow swim out of. But, in the scramble, Islam was able to get behind him with a body lock (and appeared with a small cut above his left eye). Islam covered Poirier’s mouth from behind and he tried to soften him up with punches with more than two minutes still on the clock. Islam was constantly angling for a rear-naked choke, baiting Poitier to try and get him in a better position. Poirier, locked up in a body triangle, fought the wrists well and was able to survive until the bell.

Round Two

Islam’s corner was very happy with the first five minutes — even telling him to chill out a bit. He caught Poirier’s first low kick attempt and nearly secured a takedown with it, but he was able to slip out and get back to the center of the cage. Nice knee from Islam in the ensuing clinch, then he dove for a single-leg and Poirier was once again able to remain upright. Nice left hand from Islam as Poirier struggled to put combinations together for fear of the takedown. Nice combination from Islam, using the momentum to push Poirier to the cage and angle for another takedown attempt. Poirier was able to reverse position along the cage and fight his way back to the center of the Octagon and land a crisp jab … then a nice right hook. Poirier loaded up on a left hand but Islam wasn’t there. With 30 seconds to go in the round, both fighters opened up — body work from Poirier and a takedown from Islam with the seconds melting off the clock. It might be tied heading into round three.

Round Three

Poirier appeared a bit more confident after a strong second round, but almost immediately, Islam drilled him with a big knee. He followed it up with a big punch and just like that, Poirier was flat on the ground with four minutes on the clock. Islam once again got behind Poirier like the opening round and blood was now visible around his brow. Islam threatened with the rear-naked choke, boxing him up from behind and then suddenly sliding around into full-mount. Poirier was able to sneak out the back, but his arm was trapped … and then it wasn’t! He got back to his feet and the crowd went bananas; however, he was really dinged up. Jabs from Poirier and then a lazy kick as it appeared Islam was taking a little break on the feet. Big punch from Islam and Poirier was immediately covering his eye as if it was compromised. Poirier walked him down to close the round, but Islam more than likely took that round.

Round Four

Poirier came out swinging to start the championship rounds, putting Islam on his back foot early. Poirier ripped a big body shot as Islam was seemingly content to just kickbox, with Poirier stuffing another takedown 90 seconds in. Two big right hands from Islam sent Poirier backward, then a left hand, followed by a takedown attempt along the cage. Islam tried to lift Poirier off the ground and slam him, but he couldn’t; however, in the process it looked like Poirier injured his leg or groin. Nevertheless, he continued to battle back with Islam all over him. Poirier somehwo slipped out and started to just unload, busting open a gash on the champion’s forehead. Big round for Poirier and it might just be even heading into the fifth and final frame.

Round Five

Poirier came out firing again, re-opening the forehead cut almost immediately. Islam tried to snatch another single-leg 30 seconds in, but Poirier wasn’t having it. Huge overhand left from Poirier, but Islam wore it like his beard. Another takedown attempt from Islam, and it was a weird exit from Poirier, allowing Islam to lock-in a choke. And just like that, he rolled Poirier and had him tapping with a follow-up d’arce attempt.

Final result: Makhachev def. Poirier via submission (d’arce) in round five — WATCH HIGHLIGHTS!

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