The top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, headlined Saturday’s UFC 302 fight card against former interim titleholder Dustin Poirier.  

Makhachev entered his third title defense at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey riding a 13-fight winning streak. Poirier was coming off a knockout win over Benoit Saint Denis and planned to do the same to Makhachev.  Leading up to his third title shot, Poirier stated that it could be his last octagon appearance.   

Poirier missed with a calf kick to start the fight.  Makhachev opened with a front kick that came up short.  He landed a combination and quickly changed levels and put Poirier on his back.  Makhachev may have hurt Poirier with a punch before the takedown.  Makhachev worked in Poirier’s half guard.  Makhachev isolated an arm and applied a kimura.  Poirier rolled to escape the submission attempt and Makhachev took his back.  

At the midway mark of the opening round, Makhachev applied a body triangle.  Poirier fought the hands of Makhachev.  Poirier survived the bad position but lost the round.  

Poirier landed a leg kick to start the second round.  Makhachev quickly looked to get the fight to the ground.  Poirier fought of the attempt.  They briefly clinched and Makhachev delivered a knee to the body before separating.  Makhachev looked for a takedown and Poirier fended it off again.  Makhachev connected with a left hand.  Makhachev landed a right hand.  Poirier responded with a jab.  

Makhachev pressed forward and looked to get Poirier to the ground along the fence.  Poirier remained standing and turned Makhachev.  He delivered a left hook to the body inside the clinch.  Poirier pushed Makhachev away.  Poirier landed a right hand.  Makhachev clinched and Poirier landed to the body and to the head.  They exchanged punches and Makhachev worked for a takedown.  He got it will ten seconds remaining.  The round ended with Makhachev on top.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Poirier.  

The pace was slow to start the third.  Makhachev landed a knee inside the clinch.  Makhachev worked to get the fight to the ground.  Makhachev secured the takedown and took Poirier’s back.  Makhachev applied a body triangle.  With three minutes left on the clock, Makhachev had Poirier’s back and working to set up a rear-naked choke.  Makhachev mounted Poirier.  Poirier tried to escape out the back but Makhachev had an arm.  Poirier gets free and back to his feet.  Poirier moved forward and landed a jab.  Makhachev responded with a combination.  Poirier answered with a straight right.  

Poirier started talking to Makhachev.  Poirier’s face is wearing some damage.  Poirier landed his jab.  They exchanged right hands at the bell.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Makhachev.  

 Poirier moved forward in the fourth.  Makhachev landed his jab.  Poirier landed to the body and they exchanged right hands.  Poirier landed his jab and Makhachev responded with a right hand.  Makhachev looked for a takedown but Poirier stuffed the attempt.  Makhachev connected with two right hands.  He landed a left hand and changed levels.  Poirier’s back was again the cage and Makhachev was working to tied up a leg.  Poirier stayed on his feet but may have hurt his leg.  Makhachev drug Poirier to his knees with two minutes left in the round.  Poirier switched the posting and unloaded body shots.  They separated and Makhachev landed an uppercut.  

Both of their faces were bloodied.  Poirier ripped to the body with a combination.  Makhachev quickly looked for a takedown.  Makhachev was cut on his forehead caused by an elbow by Poirier.  It was a close round.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Makhachev.  

Both corners told their fighters to leave it all in the cage in the final round.  Poirier landed his j ab to start the round.  Makhachev countered with a right hand.  Poirier connected with a strong calf kick.  Makhachev looked for takedown but Poirier defended the attempt.  They clinched and Poirier went to the body with a right hand and pushed Makhachev away.  Poirier continued to talk to the champion.  Poirier connected with a big left hand.  Makhachev worked to get the fight to the ground.  He applied a guillotine and got top position.  Makhachev applied a d’arce choke.  Poirier was forced to tap out.  Makhachev retained the lightweight title in what will surely earn Fight of the Night honors.  

The official time of the stoppage was 2:42 of the fifth round.     

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