Islam Makhachev returned to the Octagon to face Dustin Poirier on Saturday at UFC 302 to defend his lightweight title.
Islam Makhachev knocked Dustin Poirier down with a solid takedown in just a few minutes of their first round and established control of the fight on the ground. Although Poirier’s right hand had already cut the champion, he was entirely in control of his body as they battled through the opening round. Despite counterattacks and strong defense, both combatants advanced to the fifth round, where Makhachev defeated him once and for all.
After his third successful defense of the lightweight title in UFC 302, Makhachev rose to the top of the division’s most successful defense chart. He tied the record with Benson Henderson, BJ Penn, Frankie Edgar, and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Islam Makhachev’s Takes Over Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Record After Winning UFC 302
On Saturday, June 1, UFC 302 was held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. After the preliminary round on ESPN2 and the early round on ESPN+, the pay-per-view portion of the event streams on ESPN+ PPV.
Some fighters, including Makhachev, Nurmagomedov, Max Holloway, Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, and Demetrious Johnson, have won 13 straight fights inside the Octagon.
Makhachev’s coach, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired in 2020 with a perfect 29-0 professional record after submitting Justin Gaethje for his 13th UFC victory, was the only athlete to maintain their winning run.
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According to MMA News, Islam Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez had previously stated that Islam could take over Khabib as he mentioned, “He’s got 15, they’re tied at 15. Since [the] UFC when you’re favored to win, you win, so if he wins this one, it’ll be 16 wins so he’ll be the leader in that department.”
Today’s win at UFC 302 adds to Islam Makhachev’s win record, bypassing the record of his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Islam Makhachev is one step away from trying to beat the record of Usman, who has the second-longest winning streak in history.
