UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey saw Islam Makhachev defend his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier with a submission victory in the final round. Despite sustaining a significant forehead cut from Poirier’s repeated takedowns in earlier rounds, Makhachev demonstrated resilience and emerged victorious. The Russian fighter has now extended his winning streak to 14 consecutive UFC fights.
On the other hand, Poirier has had mixed results in recent fights, with alternating wins and losses over his last six matches. Following the loss to Makhachev, the American fighter hinted at the possibility of retiring from the UFC. This match marked the third successful defense of his title for Makhachev, solidifying his status as a dominant force in the lightweight division.
Sean Strickland secured a victory over Paulo Costa in a middleweight bout by split decision, with judges’ scores of 46-49, 50-45, and 49-46. Kevin Holland also emerged victorious in a middleweight contest, defeating Michal Oleksiejczuk by submission in the first round. Welterweights Niko Price and Randy Brown both won their respective fights by unanimous decision, showcasing their skills and determination in the octagon.
