UFC icon Poirier's dazzling defeat signals potential retirement.
Dustin Poirier, an incredibly deserving UFC contender, faced the mighty lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, but ultimately fell short in the title match. As Makhachev now prepares to challenge in a new weight class, Poirier's career prospects seem grim.
During the main event at UFC 302 in Newark, Makhachev subdued Poirier in the fifth round, employing a submission maneuver known as the Kimura. While their encounter captivated audiences, it paled in comparison to the fury that unfolded between middleweight contenders Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa.
In round one, Makhachev pressed Poirier with a flurry of punches. Here, Makhachev managed to get the better of Poirier, securing a takedown. On the ground, Makhachev's creative technique left Poirier struggling against further submission attempts. Despite this, Poirier was able to eke out a narrow win in terms of points scored.
In round two, Poirier had the upper hand. He defended against Makhachev's takedown attempts skillfully and dished out some impressive punches while exchanging with the Russian. Just before the end of the round, Makhachev scored a takedown. Despite being robbed of a clean round, Poirier persevered.
In the third round, Makhachev appeared more domineering. In the clinch, he attempted a powerful knee strike that missed its mark, but he managed to pin Poirier against the cage and improved his position. Defiantly, Poirier broke free. Upping the ante, Poirier attacked with empowered punches, and yet he also absorbed some retaliatory hits from Makhachev. The following round was a sight to behold, with Poirier almost scoring a severe wound on Makhachev's forehead with an elbow, and then some spectacular punch combinations from Makhachev that didn't quite connect with takedowns.
At the decisive point in round five, Makhachev seized the advantage in the octagon. Without warning, he snatched hold of one of Poirier's legs, yanked him off-balance, and promptly executed a ground submission, with the dreaded D'Arce choke. Poirier had no choice but to concede.
Makhachev relayed his admiration for Poirier, who had proved to be an intimidating force in MMA. While he sees his future in a higher weight division, Poirier's age may lead him to reconsider his career. "That could've been it," Poirier mused afterward. "I know I can stand toe-to-toe with the best," he said, thanking his family for their continued support.
Meanwhile, Strickland and Costa tantalized fans with the promise of an exciting show. The former middleweight champion and the confrontational Brazilian, both of whom are divisive figures inside the octagon and beyond, aimed to earn the chance to compete for the title. But, despite their initial prediction of a fierce matchup, their fight featured limited fireworks.
In the opening round, Costa stayed cautious, relying on leg kicks and punches to the body. Strickland persisted, aiming for closer contact with Costa, but landed few successful hits.
In the second round, Strickland stepped it up, unloading multiple front kicks onto his adversary's midriff. Costa maintained his cool, not giving in to Strickland's antics and avoiding triggering him. Both men continued to pursue their strategies in the third round. The American found himself on the offensive, throwing good punch combinations, while Costa pursued the body and jabs, landing several successful blows.
For the final two rounds, Costa amped up his aggression. He presented a stronger attack, targeting the body and landing some jabs. Both fighters put on a show, but it was Strickland who ultimately fueled the largest highlight of the bout, connecting with a high-flying kick in round five.
Among the three judges, two favored Strickland, whereas the third opted for Costa. The eventual winner, Strickland, celebrated his victory by posing for a selfie with former President Donald Trump, who was conveniently waiting for him at the cage. Following this significant event, Strickland addressed the Trump trial: "It's a sham what they're doing to you," he remarked.
