UFC 302 Takeaways: Makhachev Aims for Double Championship and Legacy Beyond Khabib

UFC 302 Takeaways: Makhachev Aims for Double Championship and Legacy Beyond Khabib

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A 12-fight UFC 302 card in Newark, Modern Shirt, was featured by a riveting title battle execution from Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier. In the co-main occasion, Sean Strickland reminded the world that he's still one of the best middleweights in the don. But what's following for the best stars after Saturday's card? Andreas Solidness and Brett Okamoto offer their last contemplations from Unused Jersey.

Makhachev effectively guarded his UFC lightweight championship with a fifth-round accommodation against Poirier, but it was seemingly the most troublesome challenge of his UFC residency. Poirier demonstrated to be more than a imposing adversary, who appeared a steely resolve as he routinely found himself in disadvantageous positions all through the night. In any case, not at all like his third-round accommodation misfortune to Makhachev's coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Poirier appeared to learn from his botches and discover a way out of trouble.

But there's a reason why Makhachev is as of now the UFC's No. 1 pound-for-pound warrior, with a few accepting that he is an made strides adaptation of Nurmagomedov, and he put it on full show by opening his whole tool stash to at last get the wrap up in the last round.

As noteworthy as Poirier's resolve was, Makhachev's constancy to get the wrap up may have been indeed more marvelous as he denied to permit the battle to reach the scorecards. He fair had to get imaginative to get it done. Makhachev attempted everything from rear-naked chokes to kimuras early on. Still, Poirier proceeded to discover ways to battle his way out, indeed overseeing to stuff numerous takedowns and drag himself off the canvas when the winner grounded him. In a bit of a scramble, Makhachev went for an lower leg choose and flawlessly utilized it to open up Poirier's neck for the wrapping up arrangement that saw him secure the choke.

It was a brilliant execution by Makhachev, who had to battle Poirier (and an amazingly pro-Poirier swarm) to choose up his UFC lightweight division-leading 13th sequential win. Whereas he seem protect his title against best contender Arman Tsarukyan, Makhachev is more interested in moving to welterweight.

"It's my dream. I need to battle for the moment belt," Makhachev said. "I need to feel that vitality once more since when you guard your belt, it's not same. I require a modern one."

Makhachev is starting to elude from the shadow of Nurmagomedov, and a world title in a moment weight course would do the trap. With his fourth title defense, he's moreover tied his tutor, along with BJ Penn and Benson Henderson, for the most title battle wins in lightweight division history.

At 32 a long time ancient and appearing no signs of abating down, there is a unmistakable plausibility that Makhachev can outperform Nurmagomedov ought to he proceed to remain active.

As for Poirier, his future is in address as he's fallen brief for a third time, challenging for undisputed UFC gold.

"I know I may compete with the best of these folks," Poirier said. "It's fair like if I do battle once more, what am I battling for? Fair to battle? I've done that 50 times. I do not know. I got a small young lady I cherish and I got to see. I think this may be it."

Poirier is seemingly the most prominent UFC warrior to never win the undisputed championship, and judging by his execution against Makhachev, he shows up to have more to allow. The address is whether or not he's interested in making that climb to a championship battle one more time.

If it's any reassurance, Makhachev recognizes Poirier's talent.

"His coach is working exceptionally well and he get ready exceptionally great," Makhachev said. "He guards my takedown and gave me a difficult time. He's a winner, legend of this don. Thank you, Dustin."

Poirier clarified that he'll require to take a few time some time recently choosing if this will be his final battle. Whereas he as it were needs to ended up a winner, he too expressed that he's not beyond any doubt what he will do without battling. If a UFC undisputed title isn't in his quick future, a third battle with Max Holloway for the BMF title might ease the torment of his championship loss.

Only Poirier can choose his following step. Either way, battle fans will certainly be satisfied if they see him step into the Octagon once more. -- Andreas Hale

Okamoto on what's following for beat stars after UFC 302

Islam Makhachev, lightweight champion

What ought to be following: Arman Tsarukyan

Makhachev's construct to conceivably the most prominent lightweight of all time proceeds. His another challenge is basically set. The UFC advertised this opportunity in Newark to Tsarukyan to begin with, after he beat Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. He needed a rest and a full camp, for which no one can fault him. Makhachev beat Tsarukyan in 2019, but it was Tsarukyan's UFC make a big appearance, and he gave Makhachev one of the closest battles of his career. This might not have the same blockbuster offer of a battle against Poirier, but this ought to be a thrilling 155-pound title fight.

Wild card: Leon Edwards at welterweight

Makhachev frantically needs an opportunity to ended up a two-weight champ. It's what he needs most, to be perfectly honest. I do not see the UFC booking it in the close future, as both champions still have work to do. But we're not that distant absent from it conceivably getting to be a reality.

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