For about 15 years, Dustin Poirier has become a true fan favorite. He has wins over a who’s who of fighters, is close to breaking several records, and always kept it 100%. The one thing that eluded “The Diamond” was a world title.
Unfortunately for Poirier, the third time was not the charm, as Islam Makhachev was able to hold onto the UFC lightweight title at UFC 302 in New Jersey.
The Dagestani submitted Poirier via a D’Arce choke following a hard-fought battle in front of a sold-out crowd.
Makhachev defended the title against a fighter in the lightweight division for the first time, having fought twice against UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. He held his own against Poirier and then some. Makhachev was able to suffocate his opponent on the floor several times, grabbing his mouth, cranking his neck back, and doing everything to gain an edge in the fight.
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Poirier managed to fight back in round two, avoiding takedowns and landing crisp shots on the inside and to the face. He looked confident in the center of the octagon. Things changed in round three, as Makhachev contorted Poirier’s body to his will. Smothering Poirier at various points, Makhachev got Poirier’s nose crushed following a head clash. Poirier got him back by forcing Makhachev to bleed between the eyes. A flurry of left hands gave Makhachev the edge, but Poirier never gave up.
With one round left to become immortal, Poirier gave it his all. However, Makhachev twisted his ankle following a failed takedown attempt, took him down, and locked in a D’Arce choke for the win. The win was the 14th straight for Makhachev in the octagon, surpassing coach and former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s streak (13).
Makhachev later called for a fight at 170 pounds, with Leon Edwards holding the belt. He will face Belal Muhammad next. However, Makhachev has a lot of contenders waiting for him, including Arman Tsarukyan, and the potential winner of Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler.
Poirier, a warrior to the bitter end, did not know what the future would hold for him. He will consider his future, though it seemed this was his last stand.
“If I do fight again, what am I fighting for? Just to fight? I’ve done that 50 times… I gotta see. I think this could be it honestly, Joe… I’m not 100%, but if this is my last fight, I want to dedicate this journey to the people who made me the man I am, the women in my life… Always chase your dreams,” Poirier said.
The co-main event saw Sean Strickland beat Paulo Costa in a rare five-round non-title fight. It was a split decision win, with one judge giving Costa a controversial 49-46 score. Strickland forced Costa to move back for five rounds, testing his cardio. Strickland looked like he could go twelve rounds, while it looked as if Costa could barely go three.
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The former champion in Strickland called for another title shot. Calling his fight “boring,” Strickland said he towed the company line and now wants a fight he believes he deserves. Costa is now 1-4 in his last five fights.
Kevin Holland spiced up a card that featured several fights that went the distance by submitting Michal Oleksiejczuk, snapping his arm back with an armbar. Holland ended a two-fight losing streak and is now 3-2 in his last five fights.
Niko Price stormed back and beat a tired Alex Morono in a rematch from a fight in 2017 where a Price win got overturned. After a slow first round, Price outpaced Morono in rounds two and three to go 2-2 in his last four fights and get his win back.
Opening the main card, Randy Brown and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos had a solid back-and-forth affair. They traded offense between rounds, with knees, takedowns, and shots to the face. Brown won via a unanimous decision scoring and called out Geoff Neal after, looking to make an impact at welterweight.
The Sporting News provided results, analysis, and highlights from UFC 302.
UFC 302 results, highlights
Islam Makhachev defends UFC lightweight title against a game Dustin Poirier
Round five: Strong calf kick by Poirier to open the round. He blocked a takedown attempt from a single-leg. Body shot by Poirier. Combinations from Makhachev. Combinations from Poirier. A single-leg takedown got stuffed by Poirier, until Makhachev twisted him by holding the ankle. Guillotine attempt by Makhachev, who locked in the D'Arce choke for the win.
Round four: A clash of heads busted Poirier's nose in round three. Jabs by both were traded. A body shot from Makhachev landed. Poirier countered with shots of his own. They traded jabs again. Takedown attempt stopped. Right hand by Makhachev, followed by a flurry of left-hand shots. Makhachev held him by the corner, and finally took him down. A switch from Poirier brought the fight to the feet, and Poirier swung away to the body, forcing Makhachev to bleed. They traded shots until Makhachev brought it to the cage.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Makhachev (39-37 Makhachev)
Round three: Poirier looked much more confident in the center of the octagon. Knee up the middle by Makhachev, who followed it up with a knee and forced Poirier by the cage. Now on the floor, Makhachev has been able to manipulate Poirier's body to his will. On Poirier's back, Makhachev tried to submit him again. Now on top, Makhachev smothered Poirier. Poirier got back up to a thunderous ovation. He landed a jab. Makhachev with combinations. He landed additional shots, but Poirier shrugged him off. The latter had problems with his eye. Makhachev with an uppercut.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Makhachev (29-28 Makhachev)
Round two: Poirier remained on his feet despite Makhachev's attempts to put him down. Knee on the inside by Makhachev, he tried to take Poirier's lead leg, but he avoided it. They traded shots, with a left and an elbow landing from Makhachev. Straight shot by Poirier landed, and Makhachev caught Poirier. Another takedown attempt was blocked by Poirier, who put Makhachev by the cage. In the clunch, Poirier landed sharp uppercuts. A counter right landed from Poirier. Makhachev was struggling as Poirier won the offensive aspect of the round. Takedown by Makhachev with just a few seconds left.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Poirier (19-19)
Round one: Poirier tried with the calf kick right away to halt the movement of Makhachev. Combinations from Makhachev landed, he shoots and landed a single-leg takedown. Makhachev smothered Poirier, holding his arm down to the floor. He locked in the kimura, but Poirier blocked. Switching to behind Poirier, Makhachev tried for a submission attempt. A punch did affect Makhachev's vision, but it didn't matter. A borderline 10-8 round that was scored 10-9.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Makhachev
Main event is up next. Can Islam Makhachev hold onto the UFC lightweight title, or will Dustin Poirier finally win gold? Either fighter will look for a finish, or it will be the tenth fight on the card to go the distance.
Sean Strickland calls for title shot following one-sided win against Paulo Costa
Round five: Costa reached with a hard shot. He tried with another shot but Strickland avoided it. Grabbing Costa's leg, Strickland landed shots to the face. He did get pushed back from a Costa kick. Counter shot by Strickland connected. Kicks from Costa connected, and round five was his best of the night. They traded shots in the round as Costa tried for a takedown, or even a clinch. Combinations from Strickland, and a head kick dropped Costa. One judge scored it 49-46 for Costa, which is wild to think, though Strickland got the split decision win.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Strickland (50-45)
Round four: Strickland looks like he could go 12 rounds, while Costa can barely make it past three. A wild difference in cardio. Costa's corner told him he was up two rounds, which was a choice. Combinations from Strickland landed, and he continued to walk down Costa. Several shots landed as Costa just tried to stay in the fight. Side kick by Costa. Both traded shots. Front kick by Strickland followed by inside combinations.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Strickland (40-36)
Round three: Strickland's corner wanted him to move back a bit and go for the attack. Costa landed a nice left in response. Big right by Strickland connected. Body shot by Costa, who appeared hurt. Limping, Costa did not look comfortable. Left hand by Strickland connected, followed by combinations. Costa tried to move around and distract Strickland, to no avail. Strickland forced Costa to retreat towards the end of the round. Uppercut by Strickland to end the round.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Strickland (30-27)
Round two: Strickland continued to force Costa to move, but did get hurt on a shot. Costa tried to stand his ground, landing body shots. Strickland continued to provide pressure, forcing Costa to use energy. Combinations by Strickland landed. He cut Costa off, moving closer. A sharp jab landed by Strickland followed by a nice kick by Costa. Strickland hurt Costa with combinations.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Strickland (20-18)
Round one: Costa started of with leg kicks, with three straight connecting. They traded kicks in the center, and both tried to knock the other out. Another kick by Costa, who looked like the looser fighter early, landing body shots to go with the kicks. Strickland forced Costa to move back, not giving him a break. Right by Strickland dropped Costa. Costa looked tired already after initially having an edge.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Strickland
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland and former contender Paulo Costa fight next in a rare non-title co-main event to go five rounds.
Kevin Holland lands a quick submission win, wrecks Michal Oleksiejczuk arm
11:28 p.m. ET: Holland tried for a leg kick right away but Oleksiejczuk landed a sharp shot to the face. He had Holland dancing around the octagon. A kick was countered into an Oleksiejczuk left. Ouch. n the floor, Holland locked in an armbar. The arm broke and the fight is over.
Kevin Holland vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk looks to spice the card up. Will it end in a finish?
Niko Price beats a tired Alex Morono to get a win back
11:12 p.m. ET: Price looked much more efficient as the fight went on. He landed a hammerfist and a few hooks. Morono looked gassed. Uppercut by Price landed followed by a takedown. Knee to the face by Price followed by a left. Price continued to pour down shots as the round and fight came to an end, the eighth fight of the night to go the distance. Price won via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
11:05 p.m. ET: Price with a shot to the face to open round two, and Morono landed one of his own. They exchanged shots through the round, trying to find an edge. Price with a shot that pushed Morono back, then Price forced him to the floor. Morono and Price traded places on the cage. After a shaky start, Price showed improvements in round two. Shots were traded in round three. Morono looked tired from all the action.
11 p.m. ET: Morono looked the looser fighter, moving around the octagon. Price was locked in a crucifix, got out of it, but then had Morono on his back. A wild sequence to start. Price's corner was chastising him while Morono appeared to be the faster fighter. They traded shots and Morono tried for a spinning backfist.
10:48 p.m. ET: Niko Price and Alex Morono fight next for the first time since 2017. Their last fight went from a KO win for Price to a no-contest after a failed test.
Randy Brown beats Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in entertaining opener
10:42 p.m. ET: Takedown by dos Santos. He tried to submit Brown with the final few seconds. It was a nice back and forth affair. Brown won via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). He called out Geoff Neal following the fight.
10:39 p.m. ET: dos Santos put in the rear-naked choke, smashing Brown's jaw. Brown got out of it, as dos Santos tried to apply more pressure. Brown reversed and was on dos Santos' back. He locked in the choke but dos Santos got out of it. That saved Brown from a one-sided round. Round three saw another eye poke. Brown was waiting for a big shot to connect. He landed a big knee and then multiple jabs. dos Santos was bleeding by the ear.
10:30 p.m. ET: Brown came in hot right away. There was an eye poke but the fight went on right away. They both swung wildly. dos Santos hit heavy calf kicks, and Brown hit a big knee before the end of the round. Referee Jason Herzog pulled the referee aside and told him how to handle pokes to the eye. Right hand by dos Santos and he went straight for Brown's back.
10:15 p.m. ET: Opening the main card will be Randy Brown vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos.
10 p.m. ET: Donald Trump is at UFC 302 as the main card has started.
9:58 p.m. ET: Both traded shots in round three, but Almeida missed a key shot and Kopylov took advantage by landing a takedown. Almeida provided no form of offense on the floor, but neither did Kopylov. Referee Herb Dean stood them up after the crowd asked for it. Another easy takedown for Kopylov, who didn't provide much on the floor but smothered Almeida. Kopylov won via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27).
9:48 p.m. ET: Kopylov with a massive left hand in the first round, holding his ground. He followed it up with combinations, kicks, and a takedown. A huge knockdown Kopylov as Almeida went for a shot. Another takedown by Kopylov. Round two saw Kopylov continue to land shots. He tried for a takedown, but Almeida settled down and blocked it. They both traded shots until Kopylov landed a takedown and smothered Almeida.
9:36 p.m. ET: Ending the prelims will be Roman Kopylov vs. Cesar Almeida.
9:20 p.m. ET: Almeida went for the takedown right away, like he did against Blaydes in Miami. He put in a rear-naked choke but a tired Romanov got out of it. Holding onto the back, Almeida locked it back in. He got the tap! We have our first finish of the night!
9:10 p.m. ET: Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Romanov in a massive heavyweight fight is next. Almeida almost had Curtis Blaydes beat following a dominant round one. Wasn't meant to be.
9:07 p.m. ET: Solecki with a guillotine by the cage. Dawson landed on top, and his cut doesn't look great. He has over 12 minutes of control time. The crowd booed him as the final bell rang. Dawson won via unanimous decision (29-28, 39-27, 30-27).
9:01 p.m. ET: Dawson with a flying knee to start, but missed. Solecki took advantage by the cage and went for a guillotine. Dawson is cut bad by his eye, but managed a takedown in the second round. Knee below the belt in round three halted the action.
8:48 p.m. ET: Grant Dawson vs. Joe Solecki is up next.
8:41 p.m. ET: Row tried for a flying kick but got dropped with a shot mid-air. He also got hit below the belt. A big right hand from Matthews in round two hurt Rowe, but Rowe answered back. Counter shots by Matthews helped. A knee by Rowe connected, but barely affected Matthews. Rowe got a takedown in the third, and held Matthews down. Matthews reversed and won via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).
8:17 p.m. ET: Phil Rowe faces Jake Matthews to open the prelims.
8:10 p.m. ET: The UFC paid tribute to Geane Herrera, who tragically died recently following a motorcycle accident.
8:08 p.m. ET: The Prelims have started later than normal.
8 p.m. ET: New Jersey's Mickey Gall, competing for the first time since 2022, returned to action against Bassil Hafez. Slow to start, Gall made it a competitive fight in the later rounds. Hafez would win via unanimous decision in a Fight of the Night contender. 30-27, 30-27, 29-28
7:15 p.m. ET: The Prudential Center is already packed as Ailin Perez beat Joselyne Edwards via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28).
6:30 p.m. ET: Opening the early prelims was Andre Lima vs. Mitch Raposo, a fight that saw Lima win via a controversial split decision scoring (30–27, 28–29, 30–27). Media members saw the fight a unanimous decision win for Lima.
Hello everyone, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of UFC 302.
UFC 302 results
Main Card
- Islam Makhachev (c) def. Dustin Poirier via D'Arce choke for the UFC lightweight title (2:42 into round five)
- Sean Strickland def. Paulo Costa via split decision (46-49, 50-45, 49-46)
- Kevin Holland def. Michal Oleksiejczuk via armbar (1:34 into round one)
- Alex Morono def. Niko Price via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Randy Brown def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Prelims
- Roman Kopylov def. Cesar Almeida via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
- Jailton Almeida def. Alexander Romanov via rear-naked choke (2:27 into round one)
- Grant Dawson def. Joe Solecki via unanimous decision (29-28, 39-27, 30-27
- Jake Matthews def. Philip Rowe via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Early Prelims
- Bassil Hafez def. Mickey Gall via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Ailin Perez def. Joselyne Edwards via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28)
- Andre Lima def. Mitch Raposo via split decision (30–27, 28–29, 30–27)