UFC 302: Makhachev beats Poirier by submission, defends lightweight title

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Islam Makhachev had a desperate opponent in front of him and much of a sold-out crowd against him.

None of that stopped him. Nothing has in a long time.

Makhachev defended his lightweight title and extended his winning streak to 14 fights, third-longest in UFC history, by getting a submission victory over Dustin Poirier in the fifth round on Saturday night at UFC 302.

Overcoming one of the sport’s accomplished veterans and a crowd — including former President Donald Trump — that was against him from the start, Makhachev ran his record to 26-1 and said afterward he may move up in weight for another challenge.

“This is my dream,” Makhachev said.

There’s certainly not much left for the Russian at 155 pounds, where he defended his title for the third time and showed again why he is ranked as the pound-for-pound best in UFC.

Very good!（18）