Dustin Poirier is widely regarded as the greatest UFC fighter to never win an undisputed championship, and Islam Makhachev made sure that remained true on Saturday night, knocking him out in the fifth round during UFC 302 at Prudential Center to retain the lightweight title.
Makhachev had to put up a tough fight against a strong opponent who gave it his all to defeat the UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in front of a crowd that wanted to see Poirier fulfill his dream.
Makhachev extended his winning streak in the UFC to 13 and surpassed his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson to hold the record for the longest winning streak in lightweight history. Poirier started the second frame with a leg kick attempt that Makhachev ducked for a takedown.
Makhachev dropped Poirier to the mat in the third round and kept himself in the same position, with a body triangle and fishing for another choke. The champion transitioned perfectly to mount.
Poirier’s resilience continued in the fourth round, when he fended off multiple takedown attempts and managed to land short elbows to Makhachev’s forehead.