Islam Makhachev Retains His Belt

“He did very good,” an exhausted Makhachev said. “He defended my takedown and gave me a hard time.” “I want to fight for a second belt,” said Makhachev, 32. “When you defend the belt, it’s not the same. I need a new one. This is my dream.

Poirier turned in a very gutsy and tough performance. He consistently fought off take downs, worked himself out of multiple submission attempts. Unfortunately for Poirer, Makhachev finally caught Poirier during a scramble with ankle pick that allowed him to snatch a d’arce choke and elicit the tap out at 2:42 in the final frame. It was a beautiful executed takedown which was the beginning of the end for Poirier.

End of the road for Poirer

“I know I can compete with the rest of these guys, but if I do, am I fighting just to fight?” said Poirier, 35, a Louisiana native. “I got a little girl and a family at home, but I got to see what’s next. This could be it.”