In what could be the last waltz of Dustin Poirier's legendary MMA career, the beloved action hero fought courageously but came up empty in his third shot at the elusive undisputed lightweight title.
Key Takeaways from UFC 302
1. Poirier Remains the Heart and Soul of the UFC
Poirier might not be the biggest star in UFC history, but his guts, commitment, and resiliency are unmatched. At 35, he took on the top pound-for-pound fighter today, Islam Makhachev, and nearly pulled off one of the most emotional title wins in UFC history. Though he fell short, Poirier's performance showcased everything that makes him special. He survived a disastrous start, stuffed Makhachev's takedown threat, and landed powerful shots to push the dominant champion deeper than anyone else in Makhachev's 14-fight win streak.
One of the three judges even had it even entering the final round, highlighting just how competitive Poirier was. Although he didn't commit to retirement, Poirier expressed a desire to return home to his family, feeling a lack of motivation for further challenges. He can proudly walk away knowing he had one of the most honest and respected runs of any fighter in UFC history.
2. Makhachev Deserves a Shot at a Second Division Title
It was Islam Makhachev's night on Saturday as he tied for the most title defenses in 155-pound history (three) by scoring a fifth-round submission against Poirier with a D'Arce choke. In his post-fight interview, Makhachev made a plea to the UFC for a welterweight title shot. Given his dominance over his last 14 fights, including finishes of former champions like Charles Oliveira and Alexander Volkanovski, it’s hard to deny him this opportunity.
At 32, Makhachev is in his prime, and moving up a weight class might allow him to showcase his well-rounded skills and clinical striking even better. With reigning 170-pound champion Leon Edwards defending his title against Belal Muhammad in July, Makhachev could be a significant threat to anyone in that division, and it's time to see just how great he can truly be.
3. Sean Strickland Held Serve in the Middleweight Title Picture
Just over four months removed from a disputed title loss to Dricus du Plessis, former 185-pound champion Sean Strickland likely earned his way back to a title shot. He accepted the UFC's challenge to fight a lower-ranked opponent, Paulo Costa, in the co-main event and handled him with relative ease. Strickland's technical striking and volume consistently backed Costa up, muting his offensive attack.
Despite a surprising split-decision result, Strickland proved that, at 33, he remains among the elite strikers in the game due to his head movement and intelligent pressure. Sending Costa to his fourth loss in five fights, Strickland made Costa look basic and limited despite his reputation as a knockout artist, who hasn’t recorded a knockout since 2018.
Exciting Elements from the Night
- Makhachev's Dominance: Tied for most lightweight title defenses in UFC history with his win.
- Poirier's Resiliency: Nearly dethroned the top pound-for-pound fighter, showcasing his heart and skill.
- Strickland's Precision: Outclassed Costa, proving he’s still a top contender in the middleweight division.
Let’s take a closer look at the biggest takeaways from the UFC’s return to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, where each fighter's journey added another chapter to their storied careers.
Login