Dustin Poirierof His third attempt at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) undisputed title didn't go as expected.
At UFC 302, the lightweight champion Islam Makhachevwon by fifth-round Darcet choke to successfully defend his title a division-record third time (watch highlights), and Makhachev will look to make a fourth defense in a rematch against the No. 1 ranked contender. Arman TsarukianFrom April 2019.
The 27-year-old Tsarukyan was the top contender to be Makhachev's dance partner at UFC 302 this past weekend (June 1, 2024). But the offer came too early for Tsarukyan, who received the request just after his split decision win over the former champion. Charles Oliveiraat UFC 300 in April 2024. Looking at the recent title fight, Makhachev was disappointed with his American Top Team (ATT) teammate Poirier.
“The first round was won by Makhachev,” Tsarukyan told Outside MMA (via Championship Rounds). “I thought, 'Damn, this Poirier is totally beaten,' but then I saw Poirier get better and Islam get tired and the fight got more interesting. Poirier surprised me. To be honest, I was more surprised by Islam, how he got tired so quickly and couldn't fight.
“You know, Islam doesn't choke in a five-round fight,” he continued. “This is his second five-round fight and he's giving away the ending. I wonder where Islam found the strength to choke, but I think Poirier just gave up. I mean mentally he broke. There were two and a half minutes left. Why choke? Well, hang in there, get over it, do something, but don't give up. Two and a half minutes left, it's your last fight. This is the most important and last fight of your life. Take it and just give up. I just won't give up.”
The first Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan bout was Tsarukyan's UFC debut. Since then, Tsarukyan has established himself as one of the division's elite. As the champion, Makhachev is looking to make his “dream” title defense at Madison Square Garden in November 2024.
