UFC 302 RECAP: Islam Makhachev scores late submission of Dustin Poirier to retain title | CBS Sports

CBS Sports
1 Jun 202409:16

Summary

TLDRUFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev retained his title after a grueling five-round battle with Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. Despite Poirier's valiant effort, which could mark the end of his career, Makhachev's superior wrestling and technique led to a late submission victory. Makhachev's win ties him for the most lightweight title defenses, and his sights are now set on moving up to the welterweight division. Meanwhile, questions remain about whether Poirier will return to the Octagon, and anticipation builds for Conor McGregor's upcoming fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303.

Takeaways

  • 🏆 Islam Makhachev retained his UFC lightweight championship title after submitting Dustin Poirier in round five.
  • 🔥 The fight was a highly competitive and dramatic five-round battle, showcasing the heart and determination of both fighters.
  • 🤔 Dustin Poirier may have fought his last match, as he did not commit to a rematch and hinted at retirement after the fight.
  • 💪 Despite not winning the undisputed championship, Poirier demonstrated the heart and will of a world-class fighter throughout his career.
  • 🥊 Makhachev's victory ties him for the most title defenses in lightweight history, with his third successful defense.
  • 🎉 Team Makhachev was unusually emotional post-fight, highlighting the intensity and significance of the victory.
  • 🚀 Makhachev expressed interest in moving up to the 170lb welterweight division after proving his dominance at lightweight.
  • 🤔 The prospects for Makhachev in the welterweight division are considered very bright, given his flawless fighting skills and impressive record.
  • 🤗 Dustin Poirier is recognized as an American hero and a crossover pay-per-view star, known for his charitable work and ambassadorship for the sport.
  • 🥊 The debate continues over whether Poirier is one of the greatest fighters to never win a UFC title, considering his impressive list of victories and performances.
  • 📅 Conor McGregor is set to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303, returning to the octagon after a period of inactivity and other pursuits.

Q & A

  • Who is the current UFC lightweight champion?

    -Islam Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion.

  • How did Islam Makhachev retain his UFC lightweight championship?

    -Islam Makhachev retained his UFC lightweight championship by submitting Dustin Poirier late in round five.

  • What was the significance of the fight between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier?

    -The fight was significant as it was a hard-fought, five-round battle that could potentially mark the end of Dustin Poirier's career and was part of UFC 302.

  • How did Dustin Poirier perform in the fight against Islam Makhachev?

    -Dustin Poirier showed great heart and guts, managing to rally back and bloody Makhachev in the championship rounds, despite eventually being submitted.

  • What does the future hold for Islam Makhachev after his victory at UFC 302?

    -Islam Makhachev expressed interest in moving up to the 170-pound welterweight division after proving his dominance in the lightweight division.

  • What was Brian Campbell's assessment of Dustin Poirier's career and potential retirement?

    -Brian Campbell suggested that Dustin Poirier's connection to his family and his accomplishments outside the cage might mean that this could be the end of his fighting career, despite his passion for the sport.

  • What is the historical significance of Islam Makhachev's third title defense?

    -Islam Makhachev's third title defense ties him for the most title defenses in lightweight history.

  • What are the prospects for Islam Makhachev moving up to the welterweight division?

    -Brian Campbell believes that Makhachev's prospects in the welterweight division are very bright, as he has a flawless fighting style and impressive skills.

  • What was the context of Conor McGregor's upcoming fight at UFC 303?

    -Conor McGregor is set to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303, marking his return to the octagon after a period of inactivity and other pursuits outside of fighting.

  • What are the expectations for Conor McGregor's performance at UFC 303?

    -Given McGregor's age, recent injuries, and distractions outside of training, it's hard to predict if he will perform at his best, but he is still a naturally bigger man in the welterweight division.

Outlines

00:00

🥊 Championship Fight Recap and Dustin Poirier's Legacy

In a thrilling five-round battle, Islam Makhachev retained his UFC lightweight championship against a resilient Dustin Poirier. Despite Poirier's valiant efforts, Makhachev's superior wrestling and all-around game led to a submission victory in the final round. The fight showcased Poirier's heart and will, characteristics of a Hall of Fame performer, even though he has never secured an Undisputed championship title. The emotional aftermath and Team Makhachev's rare display of emotion underscored the intensity of the match. Makhachev's third title defense ties him for the most in lightweight history, and his prospects of moving up to the 170lb welterweight division look very promising, given his flawless fighting skills and the strong coaching lineage from Dagestan, Russia. The discussion also ponders whether this could be the end of Poirier's career, considering his family commitments and the fact that he has achieved much in the sport without ever winning the ultimate title.

05:01

🌟 Dustin Poirier's Potential Retirement and McGregor's Upcoming Fight

Dustin Poirier, a pay-per-view star known for defeating Conor McGregor twice, has made significant contributions to the sport, both in and out of the Octagon. With a strong connection to his family and a history of charitable work, Poirier's potential retirement is discussed in light of his emotional post-fight speech and the fulfillment he has already achieved in his career. The narrative contrasts with the upcoming fight featuring Conor McGregor, who is set to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303. McGregor's recent history includes business ventures, injuries, and inactivity, which have raised questions about his performance. Despite the unpredictability of the fight, McGregor's past success and current training camp suggest that fans are eager to see what he has left to offer in the sport. The summary also highlights the main card for UFC 303, with McGregor vs. Chandler as the headliner.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡UFC lightweight champion

The term 'UFC lightweight champion' refers to the top fighter in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which is a prestigious title in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). In the video's context, Islam Makhachev is the reigning champion after defeating Dustin Poirier in a five-round battle, showcasing his dominance and skill in the lightweight category.

💡Five-round battle

A 'five-round battle' is a term used in MMA to describe a championship fight that consists of five rounds, each lasting five minutes with one-minute rest periods in between. The script mentions this to emphasize the grueling nature of the fight between Makhachev and Poirier, which is a testament to their endurance and fighting spirit.

💡Submission

In MMA, a 'submission' is a method of winning a fight by forcing an opponent to concede defeat through the use of grappling techniques such as chokes or joint locks. The script highlights that Makhachev won the fight by submitting Poirier late in the fifth round, which showcases his grappling skills and ability to finish a fight.

💡Championship fight

A 'championship fight' is a bout held to determine the winner of a title in a combat sport. The script discusses the championship fight between Makhachev and Poirier, which was the main event of UFC 302 and was pivotal in determining the lightweight champion.

💡Dustin Poirier

Dustin Poirier is a professional mixed martial artist and a former interim lightweight champion in the UFC. The script discusses his performance in the championship fight against Makhachev, noting his heart and determination despite losing, and speculates on the possibility of this being his last fight.

💡Title defense

A 'title defense' occurs when a champion fights to retain their title against a challenger. The script mentions Makhachev's third title defense, which ties him for the most in lightweight history, indicating his consistent success in defending his championship.

💡Welterweight

Welterweight is a weight class in combat sports, including MMA, typically for fighters who weigh between 170 and 176 pounds (77 to 81 kg). The script discusses Makhachev's potential move up to the welterweight division, suggesting that his skill set could make him effective in this higher weight class.

💡Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor is a former two-division UFC champion and is known for his high-profile fights and charismatic personality. The script mentions McGregor's upcoming fight against Michael Chandler at welterweight, speculating on his current form and potential performance.

💡Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler is a professional mixed martial artist and a former Bellator MMA lightweight champion. The script refers to his upcoming fight against Conor McGregor at UFC 303, discussing the potential outcomes and the fighters' respective strengths and weaknesses.

💡Pound-for-pound

The term 'pound-for-pound' refers to a ranking system in combat sports that ranks fighters based on their skills and achievements regardless of their weight class. The script mentions Makhachev's victory over former pound-for-pound king Alexander Volkanovski, highlighting Makhachev's impressive skill set.

💡Combat sports analyst

A 'combat sports analyst' is an expert who provides insights, analysis, and commentary on combat sports events, such as MMA fights. In the script, Brian Campbell from CBS Sports is the combat sports analyst providing detailed commentary on the championship fight and the fighters involved.

Highlights

Islam Makhachev retained his UFC lightweight championship by submitting Dustin Poirier late in round five.

The fight was a five-round battle that was much closer than anticipated.

Dustin Poirier showed great heart and determination, potentially fighting in what could be his last professional bout.

Islam Makhachev's wrestling and overall game were initially a challenge for Poirier.

Poirier's heart and will were on display, as he rallied back in the championship rounds.

Makhachev's takedown defense and stamina were key factors in the fight's outcome.

The fight's close nature was evident by the emotional celebration from Team Makhachev.

Makhachev tied for the most title defenses in lightweight history with his third.

Dustin Poirier is considered an American hero and a battle-tested fighter.

Islam Makhachev expressed interest in moving up to the 170lb welterweight division.

Makhachev's prospects in the welterweight division are very bright due to his flawless fighting skills.

Makhachev has a strong coaching background from Dagestan, Russia, including input from Khabib's father.

Poirier's future in the Octagon is uncertain, with questions about his motivation and family commitments.

Conor McGregor is set to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in a welterweight bout.

McGregor's recent history includes business ventures and less time in the cage, affecting his performance.

The main card for UFC 303 features McGregor versus Chandler at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Transcripts

00:00

and still your UFC lightweight champion

00:04

Islam

00:06

makev in a tremendous five round battle

00:10

with Dustin porier maach submitting

00:13

porier late in round five and retaining

00:16

his UFC lightweight

00:18

championship in a

00:20

fight that was much closer maybe than a

00:23

lot of people thought might be

00:26

porier showed out but

00:28

makev too good in the

00:32

end and for more on UFC 302 and the

00:36

aftermath we bring in Brian Campbell CBS

00:39

Sports combat sports analyst uh BC that

00:43

was a heck of a championship fight to

00:45

Finish out UFC 302 how did it look from

00:48

your

00:49

standpoint look it was all heart all

00:52

guts from both competitors but obviously

00:55

in a losing sense in what could end up

00:58

being right he wouldn't commit to

00:59

reement afterwards officially but what

01:01

could be the last fight in the

01:03

incredible pro career of Dustin porier

01:06

he would not go quietly and that's what

01:08

allowed this fight to really fit that

01:10

description we like to call Combat

01:12

Sports sometimes the theater of the

01:14

unknown we knew poier would have trouble

01:16

with the wrestling of michev and really

01:18

the all-around perfect game that he

01:20

brings out there and in the first couple

01:21

rounds that seemed to be the case but we

01:23

know we can never measure the True Heart

01:26

of a champion and even though Dustin

01:28

porier the one thing his great career

01:30

has lacked is that Undisputed

01:31

championship ring right former interim

01:34

title holder never could win the big one

01:37

but he's got the heart and will of a

01:39

world class Championship Hall of Fame

01:42

performer he survived the storm well he

01:45

rallied back to bloody Mev in the

01:47

championship rounds and it turned out to

01:49

be his own takedown defense an

01:52

incredible stamina that kept him in the

01:54

fight and as we got closer to the Finish

01:57

obviously the way mahv was able to

01:59

finally take down and submitted him

02:01

really speaks to his greatness but Mev

02:03

looked to be in Peril in those final

02:05

rounds bleeding from the face looking to

02:08

maybe be one or two strikes away from

02:09

really being in trouble if you want to

02:12

really see for firsthand how close this

02:16

fight actually was and how tough it was

02:18

look at the celebration of Team mahv

02:21

afterwards they are not usually an

02:23

emotional group they are very stoic they

02:26

leap the the Octagon fence and leaped

02:28

all over mAh following that fifth round

02:31

submission it's his third title defense

02:33

it ties him for most in lightweight

02:35

history but it's hard to not exit this

02:37

fight talking about one man and that's

02:39

Dustin porier the American hero in so

02:41

many ways for being so battle tested

02:44

once again even though yes he did not

02:46

climb the mountain in his third and

02:48

seemingly final time at a full UFC title

02:51

he once again left his Mark yeah poier

02:54

might not have gone over but he got over

02:56

in wrestling terms to say on this night

02:58

we got to talk about mahb though because

03:01

afterwards he said all right 155 he's

03:04

kind of proven his thing he wants to go

03:05

up to 170 how do you look at his

03:07

prospects at

03:09

170 very very bright and here's the

03:12

reason right he's almost Flawless as a

03:15

fighter okay hard to say in a really

03:17

tough fight in which poier rallied back

03:19

and hurt him for sure but this is a guy

03:21

who's got such great defense such great

03:23

timing and technique on his striking

03:26

game an incredible mind not just the

03:28

Hall of Famer Naga met off in his Corner

03:31

the former lightweight champion but

03:32

khabib's L father Abdul manap and that

03:35

coaching tree out of dagistan Russia

03:37

that they've handed down mahv is so

03:39

large for the 170lb division of which he

03:42

has absolutely dominated this was his

03:44

14th consecutive Victory 13th in the

03:48

division but imagine him moving up in

03:50

weight going up to welterweight excuse

03:53

me which is 170 he of course is the

03:55

champion at 155 him at 170 lbs I

03:58

actually imagine him to be very

03:59

effective he'll have that extra gas tank

04:02

to really fuel his Sublime grappling

04:05

skills maybe you saw him in the

04:07

championship rounds of this fight use up

04:08

a little bit too much of that gas tank

04:10

in trying to take down and submit porier

04:13

before ultimately doing so but you're

04:15

talking about a guy who called his shot

04:17

says he wants to move up to welterweight

04:19

we know Leon Edwards is the champion

04:20

he's got a fight coming up against B

04:22

muhamad not only do I think mahv is a

04:25

player I think he may actually be

04:27

favored as an as as the smaller fighter

04:30

moving up in weight he really is that

04:32

great he just finished off the former

04:34

pound for pound King Alexander

04:35

volkanovski two victories including a

04:37

head kick knockout I know that was a

04:39

smaller fighter moving up but at the end

04:41

of the day it's skills that win fights

04:43

nobody is more skilled in this game than

04:45

Mev do you think we see poier in the

04:47

Octagon

04:48

again you know you really have to take

04:50

his words closely what I heard in what

04:52

he said afterwards in an emotional

04:54

speech was if I come back could I still

04:56

do it could I still beat some of the

04:58

very best yes but for what look this is

05:01

a guy who became a crossover

05:03

pay-per-view star that's what happens

05:05

when you defeat Conor McGregor in

05:06

back-to-back fights which he did a few

05:08

years ago he's made a lot of money he's

05:10

known for the charitable outputs he does

05:12

through his foundation he's a a man's

05:15

man in so many ways an ambassador of

05:17

this sport but unless let's say McGregor

05:21

up comes out and beats Michael Chandler

05:23

and calls him out unless there's

05:24

something really worth it for Dustin

05:27

he's fought for every title he could

05:29

he's moved weight classes he fought for

05:31

the BMF strap he's done it all I don't

05:34

think we see him again because his

05:35

connection to his family his wife and

05:37

children is so strong he shouted them

05:39

out afterwards he brought his young

05:41

daughter to her first fight to see him

05:43

in person I think this is the end of the

05:45

ride the Hat tip the walk away for one

05:47

of the greatest fighters in history but

05:50

most importantly maybe right maybe the

05:52

greatest fighter we've ever seen to walk

05:54

in and out of that UFC octagon and never

05:56

win a title that's a debate nobody wants

05:59

to be on the the top of that list we're

06:00

talking about greats like Dan Henderson

06:02

Uriah Faber but Dustin porier right

06:05

there right at top that group if he

06:07

never fights again just look up and down

06:10

the list of not only who he fought but

06:12

who he beat it's champion after former

06:14

champion after big name his biggest

06:16

losses have been some of his greatest

06:18

performances because of how honest a

06:20

fighter he has always been I do not do

06:23

not think we will see Dustin porier

06:25

again but I also do not think we will

06:27

see someone exactly like him again A

06:30

Hero's hero in so many ways a guy who

06:32

has evolved improved and more

06:35

importantly maybe he's similar to the

06:37

career of Randy coutura the former two

06:38

Division champion and Legend a guy who

06:41

you could never count out it doesn't

06:43

matter if he's been knocked out hold the

06:45

fight before Dustin porier is never out

06:48

of a fight you mentioned Conor McGregor

06:50

we're going to see Conor McGregor before

06:52

the month is up in UFC 303 in Vegas

06:56

against Michael Chandler uh look do you

06:59

have any idea what kind of Conor

07:01

McGregor we're going to see at 170 later

07:03

this month uh it's it's really hard to

07:06

have high hopes and you want to have

07:07

high hopes because covering Conor

07:09

McGregor whether you're a journalist

07:11

like me whether you're a fan is has been

07:13

some of the most exciting times in the

07:15

history of this sport for a reason but

07:17

we're asking a lot out of a guy in his

07:20

late 30s coming off a major injury huge

07:23

multiple year layoffs he's been

07:25

distracted in the movie game making the

07:27

Roadhouse remake there's been whis spers

07:29

of maybe living life loose on the ends

07:33

outside of training camp of which he is

07:34

in of course right now for Chandler

07:36

Michael Chandler is beatable he's also

07:38

in his late 30s an action fighter who

07:41

takes big risks and Connor will still be

07:43

the naturally bigger man here as they

07:45

don't have to cut weight hard they'll

07:47

come in comfortably at 170 yes anyone

07:50

can win this fight but it's really hard

07:52

to look at Conor McGregor's history

07:54

since 2016 since he was a top the

07:56

mountain as a two Division champion yes

07:58

no one's going to say anything bad about

08:00

the money he earned against Floyd

08:01

Mayweather in boxing a couple years

08:03

later but the second half of Conor's

08:05

career has been a lot of headlines a lot

08:07

of money a lot of sponsorships a lot of

08:09

business not a lot of Victories Inside

08:12

the Cage it's a young man's game and

08:15

inactivity has been typically the killer

08:17

for big names who try to Dart in and out

08:19

of activity it's hard to imagine we're

08:21

going to see the best of Conor McGregor

08:23

I guess the only hope is we're going to

08:24

see the best of what he's got left well

08:26

for the next four weeks we're going to

08:27

be talking about what we might see with

08:29

Conor McGregor at the end of the month

08:31

meanwhile UFC 302 delivered especially

08:34

in the in the main event and of course

08:35

Brian Campbell always delivers here on

08:37

CBS Sports HQ thanks

08:40

PC and here's a look at the main card

08:42

for UFC 303 set for Saturday June 29th

08:46

the T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas Nevada

08:48

and right at the top of the card in bold

08:50

letters Conor McGregor versus Michael

08:54

Chandler in a well through eight bout at

08:56

170

09:01

coming up highlights and reaction from

09:05

New Jersey and UFC 302 which is now in

09:09

the books stick around we'll be back on

09:11

CBS Sports HQ