Islam Makhachev submits Dustin Poirier to retain UFC title - ESPN

NEWARK, N.J. — Dustin Poirier is widely recognized as the greatest UFC fighter to never hold an undisputed championship, and Islam Makhachev made sure that remained true Saturday night, submitting him in the fifth round to retain the lightweight title during UFC 302 at the Prudential Center.

Makhachev had to fight hard against a resilient opponent who did everything in his power to dethrone the UFC's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in front of a crowd that desperately wanted to see Poirier achieve his dream.

Unfortunately, on this night, Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) would gladly accept the role as both villain and dream shatterer.

For 4½ rounds, Poirier fended off multiple takedown attempts, escaped submissions and pulled himself off the canvas when things looked dire. But Makhachev finally caught Poirier during a scramble with a beautiful ankle pick that allowed him to snatch a d'arce choke and elicit the tap out at 2:42 in the final frame.

«He did very good,» an exhausted Makhachev said. «He defended my takedown and gave me a hard time.»

Makhachev extended his UFC winning streak to 13, passing his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson for the longest in lightweight history.

Although Arman Tsarukyan is next in line for a title opportunity, Makhachev said he is targeting a move to welterweight to challenge for a championship in a second weight class.

«I want to fight for a second belt,» Makhachev, 32, said. «When you defend the belt, it's not the same. I need a new one. This is my dream.»

Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) failed to capture undisputed gold in his third try. There were rumors he might retire if he came up short. Poirier wouldn't commit one way or another during his postfight interview.

«I know I can