Dustin Poirier took 25 minutes to finish the story, but Islam Makhachev wrote a different ending.
In one of the most thrilling fights of all time, Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) submitted Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) via D'Arce choke at 2:42 of the fifth round. The lightweight title bout was the main event of UFC 302.
Poirier was in serious danger early in the first round when he was taken down almost immediately by Makhachev. Makhachev got to his back, but Poirier's rear-naked choke defense was enough to survive the round.
As the second round progressed, Poirier had more and more success. He thwarted Makhachev's takedown attempts, but each sequence was a drawn-out, hard-fought struggle. Poirier found success in the pocket and in the clinch, and his left elbow was particularly effective.
Every time Poirier landed a strike, the Prudential Center erupted in deafening cheers, with chants of “Fuck you, Islam” proving that this is Poirier's speciality.
But Makhachev blocked the thousands of insults that were being hurled at him, and in the third round he landed some hard punches on Poirier, sending him back to the canvas. Poirier pulled himself together, got to his feet and pushed Makhachev off.
During the break, Poirier coughed up a mixture of boogers and blood and advanced. Poirier lunged at Makhachev, who came back. The two fighters traded blows until the horn sounded to end the round. Poirier returned to his corner with his tongue out and a swollen eye.
Both men looked worn and fatigued early in the deciding round. A clinch sequence against the cage was slow at first, but a flurry of body shots from Poirier slammed into the champion's midsection.
Once they separated, Poirier came on the offensive, opening a severe cut above Makhachev's left eye, and by the end of the round the two fighters were clashing forehead to forehead, leaving each other bloody.
In the final round, Makhachev got a takedown on Poirier, who was brutally defeated with a single-leg takedown, and eventually went for a guillotine choke, but switched to Darcet to get the tap.
Poirier remained on the ground while doctors and officials treated him, while Makhachev's team jumped around the cage in celebration.
