Islam Makhachev Submits (And Possibly Retires) Dustin Poirier In The UFC 302 Main Event

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Islam Makhachev is exactly who we thought he was.

Don't get me wrong - Dustin Poirier put up a HELL of a fight tonight; an absolute DAWG performance. Stuffing takedowns, eating heavy shots, charging forward and challenging Islam in the center of the octagon....he wasn't winning any rounds, but he was doing almost everything right. The Newark crowd was going insane for every shot he threw, and in his corner 100%, which honestly made me think there was something special in the air tonight. I started to believe that maybe - juuuuust maybe - Poirier was going to do the impossible and finish his story. 

That proved to be foolish by the fifth round, though - because Islam did what Islam does, and was able to drag Poirier to the ground, trip him up by the ankle, and eventually sink in a D'arce choke for the victory.

Makhachev's team swarmed him in celebration as Poirier reset, and in his post-fight interview, Dustin admitted that this may be it for him....

Brutal to retire having never won that ultra-coveted championship, but he knows this was likely his last opportunity, and he's had a pretty phenomenal career regardless. If this is the last time we saw him fight, it was a hell of a gritty performance to go out on.

Makhachev on the other hand, teased moving up to 170lbs - which I'm curious about, but I'd personally rather him defend the lightweight championship a few more times. We'll see how that shakes out soon I'm sure, after Leon Edwards/Belal Muhammed II.

Congrats to everyone who joined in on the Spinnin Backfist parlay this week as well! Great hit for us!

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