Dustin Poirier had 25 minutes to complete the story, however Islam Makhachev wrote an alternate ending.
In an all-time thrilling battle, Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) submitted Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) with a D’Arce choke on the 2:42 mark of Spherical 5. The light-weight title bout was the UFC 302 foremost occasion.
Poirier instantly discovered himself in deep, harmful waters early in Spherical 1, as Makhachev nearly instantly took him down. Makhachev labored to the again however Poirier’s rear-naked choke protection was ample sufficient to outlive the spherical.
As Spherical 2 progressed, Poirier discovered rising success. He stuffed Makhachev’s takedown makes an attempt, although every sequence was a prolonged wrestle. Poirier discovered success within the pocket and within the clinch, significantly with a left elbow.
With every strike Poirier landed, Prudential Heart burst into deafening cheers. Chants of “F*ck you, Islam,” additionally proved this was Poirier’s turf.
However Makhachev blocked out the hundreds of expletives spit his approach. In Spherical 3, he landed some exhausting punches on Poirier earlier than he dragged it to the canvas as soon as once more. Poirier dug deep, raised to the toes, and shoved Makhachev off.
Upon the break, Poirier blew out a half-booger, half-blood hybrid and marched ahead. Poirier landed on Makhachev, who returned. The 2 fighters exchanged blows till the end-of-round horn. Poirier caught out his tongue as he walked again to the nook, his eyes swollen.
Each fighters confirmed put on, tear, and fatigue within the early phases of the championship rounds. An initially-slow clinch sequence towards the cage burst right into a Poirier physique shot barrage as he punished the champion’s midsection.
As they separated, Poirier got here on sturdy. He sliced Makhachev badly above the left eye. On the finish of the spherical, the 2 fighters got here forehead-to-forehead, leaving blood prints on each other.
Within the last spherical, Makhachev engaged Poirier in a takedown try. He was relentless and used a single-leg takedown that tripped Poirier. Makhachev ultimately labored for a guillotine choke that he switched to a D’Arce to get the faucet.
Poirier remained down whereas medical doctors and fee officers tended to him. Makhachev’s workforce hopped the cage in celebration.
