UFC 302 ended with a familiar sight: Islam Makhachev wearing the lightweight championship around his waist. The win brings Makhachev to the precipice of lightweight championship history. No one has defended the belt four times consecutively.
The dominant grappler secured a fifth-round submission win over Dustin Poirier to complete his third successful title defense.
However, the 32-year-old has referenced his desire to move up to welterweight in the past. Perhaps this is the time that he pulls the trigger on that move. However, another win would give him an argument that he's the best lightweight champion in history.
As for Poirier, this could be it. He's flirted with retirement in interviews and this is the third time he's come up short in a title fight.
UFC 302: Makhachev vs Poirier Main Card Results
- Islam Makhachev defeats Dustin Poirier by Submission (D’arce choke) at 2:42 of Round 5
- Sean Strickland (46-49, 50-45) defeats Paulo Costa (49-46) by Split Decision
- Kevin Holland defeats Michal Oleksiejczuk by Technical Submission (armbar) at 1:34 of Round 1
- Niko Price (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) defeats Alex Morono by Unanimous Decision
- Randy Brown (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) defeats Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos by Unanimous Decision
- Roman Kopylov (29-28, 30-27) defeats Cesar Almeida (29-28) by Split Decision
- Jailton Almeida defeats Alexandr Romanov by Submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:27 of Round 1
- Grant Dawson (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) defeats Joe Solecki by Unanimous Decision
- Jake Matthews (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) defeats Philip Rowe by Unanimous Decision
- Bassil Hafez (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) defeats Mickey Gall by Unanimous Decision
- Ailin Perez (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) defeats Joselyne Edwards by Unanimous Decision
- Andre Lima (30-27, 30-27) defeats Mitch Raposo (29-28) by Split Decision