By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
NEWARK, NJ — UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev retained his belt at UFC 302. He defeated Dustin Poirier in the main event at the Prudential Canter.
The 32-year-old Dagestan native has won 14 straight bouts. He has now passed his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, who had a 13-fight win streak.
Poirier said this could be it on his amazing career. He said he was not 100% on his retirement but dedicated his career to the woman in his life.
He told the crowd to always chance your dreams. However, he did not lay his gloves in the ring, like other fighters do when they retire.
The Coconut Creek, Florida said that he is not going to fight just to fight.
Makhachev submitted Poirier in the fifth round with a darce choke submission. He was tested by the world class fighter at times.
However, Makhachev defended his belt for the third time. He initially won the championship over Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 by arm-triangle choke submission.
This was Poirier’s first submission loss since he was defeated by Oliveira by rear-naked choke submission at UFC 269.
Makhachev has improved to 26-1 in his MMA career. This was his 12th submission win in his career.
Poirier has rotated a loss-win in his last four fights. He has not won back-to-back fights since when he defeated Conor McGregor.
He first defeated McGregor at UFC 257. Then, he also defeated McGregor at UFC 264. Both wins were in 2021.
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