Islam Makhachev made history at UFC 302 by securing his 14th straight victory under the UFC banner, defeating Dustin Poirier in the fifth round of their main event. Makhachev retained his UFC lightweight title with a submission victory, setting his sights on ex-welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and former middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva, who have longer winning streaks than him. Poirier, on the other hand, fell short in his third attempt to secure the undisputed UFC lightweight title, succumbing to Makhachev’s grappling skills.
In the co-main event, Sean Strickland bounced back from a title loss to Dricus du Plessis with a split decision win over Paulo Costa, solidifying his position in the middleweight rankings. Despite a lackluster overall performance at UFC 302, Makhachev’s dominant display and Kevin Holland’s impressive submission earlier on the main card provided some excitement for fans in attendance. The event took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, with the main card streaming on ESPN+ PPV following prelims on ESPN2 and early prelims on ESPN+.
Several fighters at UFC 302 emerged as winners, including Makhachev, Strickland, Holland, Niko Price, Randy Brown, Jailton Almeida, Grant Dawson, Jake Matthews, Bassil Hafez, and Andre Lima. These fighters showcased their skills and abilities, with some securing decisive wins and others making a strong statement in their respective bouts. The event also highlighted the importance of conditioning, strategy, and perseverance in the competitive world of mixed martial arts.
On the other hand, several fighters faced defeat at UFC 302, including Poirier, Costa, Oleksiejczuk, Morono, dos Santos, Solecki, Rowe, Gall, and Raposo. Despite their efforts, these fighters were unable to secure victory in their matchups, either due to being overmatched, struggling with specific aspects of their opponents’ game plans, or facing challenges with their own performance. The event also raised concerns about the officiating and commentary at UFC events, with referees allowing fouls to go unpunished and commentators sometimes misinterpreting the scoring criteria.
Overall, UFC 302 provided a mix of memorable moments and disappointing outcomes for the fighters involved. Makhachev’s impressive victory and the competitive matchups throughout the card showcased the talent and determination of the athletes competing in the Octagon. As the MMA world continues to evolve, fans can expect more thrilling events and captivating performances from the fighters looking to make their mark in the sport. The UFC remains a premier platform for showcasing talent, determination, and skill in the fast-paced world of mixed martial arts.
