NEWARK, NJ – In a thrilling main event bout at UFC 302, Islam Makhachev successfully defended his lightweight belt by forcing Dustin Poirier to tap out in the fifth round.

As the fight entered the final rounds on Saturday night, Makhachev showcased his resilience despite sustaining a forehead cut from Poirer’s repeated takedowns in earlier rounds.

Makhachev’s victory by submission at 2:42 of the final round extended his winning streak to 14 straight UFC fights, a remarkable record that began with a triumph over Chris Wade in 2016.

On the other hand, Poirier’s defeat marked a series of alternating wins and losses in his recent six fights, leading to speculation about a potential retirement from the sport.

The matchup on Saturday was Makhachev’s third successful title defense, solidifying his dominance in the lightweight division. The Russian fighter continues to prove himself as a force to be reckoned with in the UFC.

In additional fights, Sean Strickland emerged victorious over Paulo Costa in a middleweight bout, while Kevin Holland secured a win in a middleweight fight against Michal Oleksiejczuk with a submission in the first round.

Welterweights Niko Price and Randy Brown also had their hands raised in victory, both winning their respective fights by unanimous decision. The night was filled with intense matchups and impressive displays of skill from the fighters.

As UFC 302 came to a close, Makhachev’s commanding performance and successful title defense cemented his status as a top contender in the lightweight division, leaving fans eager to see who will step up to challenge him next.