UFC 302: Dustin Poirier's Bid to Dethrone Islam Makhachev Falls Short

Islam Makhachev Retains Lightweight Crown

Poirier's Title Hopes Dashed After Five-Round Battle

Islam Makhachev successfully defended his UFC lightweight championship on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, defeating former interim champion Dustin Poirier in a closely contested five-round bout. Makhachev's victory marks his second defense of the title and solidifies his position as one of the most dominant fighters in the division's history.

Poirier, who had won three consecutive fights prior to Saturday's main event, gave Makhachev a significant challenge throughout the contest. The American fighter landed several heavy blows and nearly submitted Makhachev with a rear-naked choke in the second round. However, Makhachev's grappling skills proved too strong, and he eventually wore Poirier down with a relentless ground game.

Makhachev's victory is a testament to his incredible wrestling and submission prowess. The Russian fighter has now landed 603 strikes per minute in his UFC career, ranking him 10th all-time among lightweights. He also has a remarkable 29 of 53 takedowns landed in his last three fights, a statistic that highlights his dominance in the grappling department.