MAKHACHEV VS POIRIER | UFC 302: PRIMARY CARD RESULTS

Watch the post-fight interviews with the winners of the main card and see the fight results from UFC 302: Makhachev vs. Poirier, live from the Prudential Centre in Newark.

As the main card began at Prudential Centre, there was a sense of unease among the attendees, as a slate of preparatory cards that focused heavily on decisions had left many calling for drastic measures.

Even if some of the competitions were still drawn out, there was a noticeable increase in the competition’s tempo, production, and intensity.

Everything culminated in the lightweight championship main event, where champion Islam Makhachev sought to continue his ascent to legendary status by defeating another notable fighter, while fan favourite Dustin Poirier sought to “complete his tale” by winning the title.

Related Article: Dallas Stars Defensive Ideas To Unleash Offensive Potential

Results of UFC 302: Makhachev vs. Poirier Main Card

Dustin Poirier is defeated by Islam Makhachev at 2:42 of Round 5 via submission (D’arce choke).
Paulo Costa (49–46) loses against Sean Strickland (46–49, 50–45) via Split Decision.
At 1:34 of Round 1, Kevin Holland defeats Michal Oleksiejczuk via Technical Submission (armbar).
Alex Morono loses to Niko Price (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) by unanimous decision.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos is defeated by Randy Brown (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) by unanimous decision.
Cesar Almeida (29-28) loses against Roman Kopylov (29-28, 30-27) via Split Decision.
At 2:27 of Round 1, Jailton Almeida submits Alexandr Romanov via rear-naked choke.
Joe Solecki loses to Grant Dawson (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) by unanimous decision.
Philip Rowe loses to Jake Matthews (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) by unanimous decision.
Mickey Gall loses to Bassil Hafez (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) by unanimous decision.
Joselyne Edwards is defeated by Ailin Perez (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) by unanimous decision.
Mitch Raposo (29-28) loses against Andre Lima (30-27, 30-27) via Split Decision.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos is defeated by Randy Brown (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) by unanimous decision.
contenders for rankings in the welterweight class A competitive back-and-forth fight that went the whole distance was the opening act of the UFC 302 main programme between Randy Brown and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos.

Related: Baseball – Consolation Semifinals, Tomorrow’s Championship Game

In the opening exchange, Brown was the more aggressive and successful attacker. He used his mobility and range to get the better shots, and he finished the round with a powerful flying knee. After bouncing back in the second round, the Brazilian controlled the grappling for most of the round and even stung “Rude Boy” on the feet. However, Brown reversed course and landed a forceful elbow. In the third, Brown was again in control, outstriking dos Santos repeatedly and maintaining his balance while cutting him with a clean knee.

In the first main card match, the pattern of allowing the judges to pick the winner persisted. All three officials gave the same score, giving Brown his second win of the year and third consecutive victory overall. | Official Scorecards

Alex Morono loses to Niko Price (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) by unanimous decision.
Niko Price and Alex Morono faced for a second time and battled through a hard battle of attrition, with Price losing ground as the bout went on.

Price appeared to be warming up to the battle as Morono entered the fray looking piercing and precise, throwing and landing with precision. With each passing minute, Price’s momentum grew and Morono’s started to wane; by the time the final bell blew, the bout had become a one-sided brawl.

When the judges were asked to decide a winner for the eighth time in nine fights, all three saw Price emerge victorious by unanimous decision. “The Hybrid” won his first fight since overcoming Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira in October 2021, ending a two-bout losing streak.

Kevin Holland vs Michal Oleksiejczuk

In the opening round of the UFC 302 main event, Kevin Holland stopped Michal Oleksiejczuk via first-round stoppage.

With an early powerful left hand, the Polish striker stunned Holland, forcing the returning middleweight to the mat in an attempt to finish. After making a strong recovery, Holland went for an armbar, rolling through and holding Oleksiejczuk’s attempt to break free. The elbow popped as Holland extended, causing referee Herb Dean to intervene and break up the bout.

Holland ended a two-fight losing streak with his fourth submission victory in the UFC, returning to the middleweight division for the first time in eight fights. “Trailblazer” is always fascinating, whether he wins or loses, and in not too long, he should find himself in another entertaining match.

Interesting Story: Rory McIlroy, Golfer, Hired Private Investigator To Let His Wife Know That He Was Divorcing Her

Co-Main Event: Paulo Costa (49–46) loses to Sean Strickland (49–46, 50–45) via Split Decision.

In the co-main event of UFC 302, Sean Strickland, the former middleweight champion, made a positive start by outworking Paulo Costa on Saturday night.

Costa attacked early on, delivering a few hard low kicks right out of the gate. However, Strickland began reviewing those shots and finding his rhythm, and at first, Costa was at a loss for responses. Although Costa had brief opportunities in each of the championship rounds, Strickland remained the more aggressive player, making the finish line closer than expected.

The judges deliberated for twenty-five minutes before returning with a divided judgement that ultimately found Strickland in favour. The victory places the former champion in a favourable position for another major fight later in the year and maintains him close to the top of the middleweight contender list.

Main Event: At 2:42 of Round 5, Islam Makhachev submits Dustin Poirier by D’arce choke.

Islam Makhachev won via submission in the fifth round to maintain his title as the UFC lightweight champion.

In the opening round, the champion swiftly placed Poirier on the ground, moving on his back and remained there for the duration of the fight. Poirier held strong throughout, and the bout became increasingly intense and scrappy as the challenger showed good takedown defence and Makhachev was forced into the first brutal, exhausting fight of his championship reign.

Midway through the round, Makhachev made Poirier stumble in the middle of the Octagon, giving him the opportunity to strike again. Both fighters were bleeding profusely but were focused going into the final round. After momentarily looking for a guillotine choke, the champion moved over to a D’arce choke and quickly brought out the tap.

Makhachev has now successfully defended his title three times in a row and has won 14 times in a row. He still holds the top spot in the lightweight class. He is currently two wins shy of Anderson Silva’s record for the most consecutive UFC victories, and he is tied with four other fighters for the most successful championship defences in the division.

Source:
https://www.ufc.com/news/main-card-results-highlights-winner-interviews-ufc-302-makhachev-vs-poirier?language_content_entity=en

---