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 principal occasion.
Poirier instantly discovered himself in deep, harmful waters early in Spherical 1, as Makhachev virtually instantly took him down. Makhachev labored to the again however Poirier’s rear-naked choke protection was adequate sufficient to outlive the spherical.
As Spherical 2 progressed, Poirier discovered growing success. He stuffed Makhachev’s takedown makes an attempt, although every sequence was a prolonged battle. Poirier discovered success within the pocket and within the clinch, notably 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 1000’s of expletives spit his manner. In Spherical 3, he landed some arduous 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 in opposition to the cage burst right into a Poirier physique shot barrage as he punished the champion’s midsection.
As they separated, Poirier got here on robust. 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 remaining spherical, Makhachev engaged Poirier in a takedown try. He was relentless and used a single-leg takedown that tripped Poirier. Makhachev finally labored for a guillotine choke that he switched to a D’Arce to get the faucet.
Poirier remained down whereas docs and fee officers tended to him. Makhachev’s group hopped the cage in celebration.
