UFC 302 takeaways: Makhachev eyes double championship, legacy beyond Khabib

 

A 12-fight UFC 302 card in Newark, Unused Shirt, was featured by a riveting title battle execution from Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier. Sean Strickland reminded everyone in the co-main event that he remains one of the top middleweights in the sport. But what's another for the beat stars after Saturday's card? Andreas Sound and Brett Okamoto offer their last contemplation from Modern Shirt.

Makhachev effectively defended his UFC lightweight championship with a fifth-round accommodation against Poirier, but it was ostensibly the foremost troublesome challenge of his UFC residency. Poirier demonstrated to be more than an imposing rival, who appeared a steely resolve as he routinely found himself in disadvantageous positions all through the night. Be that as it may, not at all like his third-round accommodation misfortune to Makhachev's coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Poirier appeared to memorize from his botches and discover a way out of inconvenience.

But there's a reason why Makhachev is as of now the UFC's No. 1 pound-for-pound warrior, with a few accepting that he is an moved forward adaptation of Nurmagomedov, and he put it on full show by opening his whole tool compartment to at long last get the wrap up within the last circular.

As amazing as Poirier's resolve was, Makhachev's constancy to urge the wrap up may have been indeed more fabulous as he denied to permit the battle to reach the scorecards. He fairly had to urge imagination to get it done. Makhachev initially tried everything from bare back knees to camours. Still, Poirier proceeded to discover ways to battle his way out, indeed overseeing to stuff different takedowns and drag himself off the canvas when the winner grounded him. In a bit of a scramble, Makhachev went for a lower leg choice and beautifully utilized it to open up Poirier's neck for the wrapping up arrangement that saw him secure the choke.

It was a brilliant execution by Makhachev, who had to battle Poirier (and an amazingly pro-Poirier swarm) to choose his UFC lightweight division-leading 13th consecutive win. Whereas he seems to guard his title against beat contender Arman Tsarukyan, Makhachev is more curious about moving to welterweight.

"It's my dream. I need to battle for the moment belt," Makhachev said. "I need to feel that vitality once more since after you defend your belt, it's not the same. I require an unused one."

Makhachev is beginning to emerge from Nurmagomedov's shadow, and a quick weight lesson and a world title would complete the trick. With his fourth title defense, he's moreover tied his guide, along with BJ Penn and Benson Henderson, for the foremost title battle wins in lightweight division history.

At 32 a long time ancient and appearing no signs of abating down, there's a unmistakable plausibility that Makhachev can outperform Nurmagomedov ought to he proceed to remain dynamic.

As for Poirier, his future is in address as he's fallen brief for a third time, challenging f

"I know I compete with the top guys out there," Poirier said. "It's a bit like in case I do battle once more, what am I battling for? Just to battle? I've done that 50 times. I do not know. I got a small young lady I cherish and I need to see. I think this may be it."

Poirier is ostensibly the greatest UFC warrior to never win the undisputed championship, and judging by his execution against Makhachev, he shows up to have more to allow. The address is whether or not he's inquisitive about making that climb to a championship battle one more time.

In case it's any reassurance, Makhachev recognizes Poirier's ability.

"His coach is working exceptionally well and he prepares exceptionally well," Makhachev said. "He protects my takedowns and gives me a hard time. He's a winner, a legend of this sport. Thank you, Dustin."

Poirier clarified that he'll need to require some time some time recently deciding if this will be his final battle. Whereas he only wants to end up a winner, he moreover expressed that he's not beyond any doubt what he will do without battling. In case a UFC undisputed title isn't in his quick future, a third battle with Max Holloway for the BMF title seems to ease the pain of his championship misfortune.

As it were, Poirier can decide his next step. Either way, battle fans will certainly be satisfied in the event that they see him step into the Octagon once more. -- Andreas Solidness

Islam Makhachev, lightweight champion

What should be following:

Arman Tsarukyan

Makhachev's build to conceivably the most prominent lightweight of all time proceeds. His following challenge is basically set. The UFC advertised this opportunity in Newark to Tsarukyan to begin with, after he beat Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. He needed a rest and a full camp, for which no one can fault him. Makhachev beat Tsarukyan in 2019, but it was Tsarukyan's UFC that made a big appearance, and he gave Makhachev one of the closest battles of his career. This might not have the same blockbuster request of a fight against Poirier, but this ought to be a sensational 155-pound title fight.

Wild card:

Leon Edwards at welterweight

Makhachev frantically needs an opportunity to become a two-weight champ. It's what he needs most, to be perfectly honest. I do not see the UFC booking it within the close future, as both champions still have work to do. But we're not that distant absent from it conceivably getting to be a reality

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