UFC 302 live results: Updates, highlights, odds, analysis as Islam ...

2 Jun 2024

Yahoo Sports

UFC 302 live results Updates highlights odds analysis as Islam

Dustin Poirier was gunning for an upset. Islam Makhachev snuffed it out.

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 01: (L-R) Islam Makhachev of Russia punches Dustin Poirier in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC 302 event at Prudential Center on June 01, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) — Islam Makhachev won like a champion against Dustin Poirier. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

In perhaps the most dangerous bout of his reign as UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev lived up to his title as the promotion's top pound-for-pound fighter.

The Russian defeated UFC veteran Dustin Poirier with a fifth-round submission to defend his belt in a fight that seemed to be trending against him in the later rounds. He spent much of the fight in control on the ground, but was stuffed on several takedown events and was sporting a gnarly forehead cut going into the fifth.

The whole effort looked like it would be a lot easier in the first round, when Makhachev clocked Poirier, took him down and took his back, spending the next four minutes looking for a choke or arm triangle. Poirier fought all of those attempts off and started to find his footing in the second round. It has proven to be borderline impossible to beat Makhachev on the ground, but Poirier fought him off as much as he needed to and landed some big strikes to keep the fight fairly even.

With the Prudential Center in Newark crowd firmly behind the American underdog, an upset very much seemed possible Poirier won the fifth round. Makhachev snuffed out that threat with a D'Arce choke and was soon being mobbed by his corner as Poirier laid on the floor, either unconscious or close to it.

It was yet another stellar display of creativity and talent by Makhachev, who said he would next like to compete for the UFC welterweight crown, currently held by Leon Edwards. Makhachev has now defended the belt three times, with the other two coming against former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

"It's my dream. I want to fight for the second belt. I want to feel that energy again, because when you defend your belt, it's not the same. I need new one," Makhachev said.

As for Poirier, the 35-year-old indicated he was seriously considering retirement, though he said he wasn't 100% yet. This was his third shot at the lightweight belt, with the other two also resulting in submission losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was in Makhachev's corner Saturday, and Charles Oliveira.

"If I do fight again, what am I fighting for? Just to fight? I've done that 50 times," Poirier said. "I don't know. I've got a little girl I love, I gotta see. I think this could be it, honestly."

Here's how the entire UFC 302 card went down. It was a great night if you like wins by decision, some with absolutely inscrutable decisions from the judges.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER162 updates

RESULT: Islam Makhachev def. Dustin Poirier via submission (d'arce choke) at 2:42 of Round 5

Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:18 AM GMT+2
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:18 AM GMT+2

Well. Seeing that little girl turn her face into her mom’s stomach to cry as her dad assured her that he’s fine is gonna break my heart. So that’s a good note to end on.

— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:15 AM GMT+2

"I think this could be it," Poirier tells Rogan after the fight.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:15 AM GMT+2
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:14 AM GMT+2
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:14 AM GMT+2

Makhachev says he wants to fight for the 170-pound belt next.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:13 AM GMT+2

That was a beautiful takedown there to set up the finish for Makhachev. Give that man his due. But also Poirier didn’t fight like a dude who should have been a 5-1 underdog.

— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:13 AM GMT+2

Gotta be Islam x Arman 2 next. That’s gonna be a tremendous fight.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:13 AM GMT+2

Great finish from Islam and he showed a lot of grit, against a very determined Poirier. I had it 2-2 going into the 5th round. Great fight from both men!! #ufc302

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:12 AM GMT+2
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:11 AM GMT+2

3 tittle fights 3 submissions . Good job champ ????????????????. Dustin you are a legend!!! You’re a dog brotha !! @ufc

— Brian Ortega (@BrianTcity) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:10 AM GMT+2

Poirier tells Makhachev he went unconscious right after he tapped.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:10 AM GMT+2

Islam retains.

He submits Dustin in the 5th via D’Arce after a wild fight and a wild final exchange.

And still.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:09 AM GMT+2

Poirier made the fight fun and never backed down from the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:09 AM GMT+2

Poirier gets taken down and Makhachev locks in a D'arce choke and it's all over as Poirier taps out.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:08 AM GMT+2

Poirier lands a big left hand!
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:07 AM GMT+2
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:07 AM GMT+2

My guess is Poirier is down to far in the scorecards despite the spirited effort. However, there were two rounds close enough that judges could give them to him considering how off base they can be. Round five shouldn’t decide the decision but it might. #ufc302

— Fury’s Fight Picks (@LucaFury) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:07 AM GMT+2

So many people at home praying for a Poirier 5R knockout. That’s how loved he is by the masses. The people’s champ #ufc302

— Hyon Ko (@KoreanJohn_) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:06 AM GMT+2

Poirier needs a finish here in the final round though we have seen some screwy scorecards tonight
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:06 AM GMT+2

Round 5 begins. Makhachev's forehead is leaking bad.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:05 AM GMT+2
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:05 AM GMT+2

Replay shows Poirier caused the cut on Makhachev's forehead with a nasty elbow.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:03 AM GMT+2

Makhachev has a huge gash in the center of his forehead likely from a head clash.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:02 AM GMT+2

Makhachev is starting to land heavy shots to the head. Poirier's nose may be broken from the earlier accidental clash of heads.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 7:00 AM GMT+2
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:59 AM GMT+2

Freaking hell. Islam is relentless but DP is refusing to give up. 4th round …

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:59 AM GMT+2

Dustin Poirier endures hell from Islam Makhachev to reach the fourth round in an undisputed UFC title fight for the first time.

His prior two championship losses to Khabib and Oliveira were R3 RNCs. #UFC302

— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:58 AM GMT+2

Poirier makes it to the fourth round. Fight seems closer than it is.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:58 AM GMT+2

Makhachev is out power-striking the best power-striker in the division. This is unbelievable stuff. #ufc302

— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:57 AM GMT+2

Poirier may have poked himself in the eye
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:57 AM GMT+2

Poirier gets out and up from the ground and is fired up, yelling in Islam's face. Makhachev calmly back away, then lands some quick shots.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:56 AM GMT+2

Man, you give Islam anything and suddenly he’s all over you. Poirier let him get double underhooks and within 30 seconds it’s takedown to back control to body triangle.

— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:55 AM GMT+2

One minute into Round 3 and Islam has Poirier's back. Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is cornering Makhachev tonight, finished Poirier via rear naked choke in their lightweight title fight in 2019
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:53 AM GMT+2

Round 2: Poirier did better than the first, but Makhachev up big on significant strikes.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:52 AM GMT+2

Poirier is making Islam seem a lot more mortal in Round 2. When the action is in the center of the cage it’s a different fight.

— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:52 AM GMT+2

Makhachev finally gets a takedown with 20 seconds left and ends the round on top.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:50 AM GMT+2

Two minutes left. Makhachev's takedown attempts have all been stuffed so far.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:49 AM GMT+2

Poirier is not taking any of Makhachev's head shots well.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:47 AM GMT+2

Poirier seems like he is straight up not having a good time right now.

— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:47 AM GMT+2

10-8 Islam after 1.

Silver lining for Dustin, he survived several minutes of being in some really dangerous positions.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:47 AM GMT+2

Round 1: Poirier survives the first round despite Makhachev being in total control for 95% of the round. Poirier defended multiple submission attempts well, but Makhachev will just do more of the same in round 2.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:44 AM GMT+2

Makhachev on your back with a body triangle halfway through the first round is not exactly ideal.

— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) June 2, 2024
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:43 AM GMT+2

Two minutes left in the round.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:43 AM GMT+2

Makhachev had a kimura nearly locked in, Poirier escapes, but gives up his back. Makhachev in control with the body locked.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:41 AM GMT+2

Makhachev lands some shots that seem to hurt Poirier. Makhachev shoots and gets the first takedown of the fight. Crowd is not loving this
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:41 AM GMT+2

Round 1 begins.
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:38 AM GMT+2
Sun, June 2, 2024 at 6:37 AM GMT+2

That is some hostile territory for Islam. Crazy to see that for the P4P best. #ufc302

— Hyon Ko (@KoreanJohn_) June 2, 2024