UFC 302 takeaways: Makhachev eyes double championship, legacy beyond Khabib

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 beat stars after Saturday's card? Andreas Solidness and Brett Okamoto offer their last considerations from Modern Jersey.

Makhachev effectively guarded his UFC lightweight championship with a fifth-round accommodation against Poirier, but it was apparently the most troublesome challenge of his UFC residency. Poirier demonstrated to be more than a impressive rival, 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 tutor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Poirier appeared to learn from his botches and discover a way out of trouble.

But there's a reason why Makhachev is right 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 amazing as Poirier's resolve was, Makhachev's tirelessness to get the wrap up may have been indeed more fabulous 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 different 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 perfectly 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 greatly pro-Poirier swarm) to choose up his UFC lightweight division-leading 13th continuous win. Whereas he might guard 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 too tied his coach, 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 particular 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 seem 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 seem 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 deliver. 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 plan 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 gotten to be a winner, he moreover 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 seem 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 another: Arman Tsarukyan

Makhachev's construct to conceivably the most noteworthy 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 request 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 gotten to be a two-weight champ. It's what he needs most, in all honesty. 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.

Sean Strickland, middleweight

What ought to be following: Champ of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya

It's not official, but the desire is that Du Plessis will protect his title against Adesanya in Eminent when the UFC visits Australia. Strickland has bounty of history with both. He broadly disturbed Adesanya to win the championship in September, some time recently surrendering the belt to Du Plessis in his to begin with title defense in January. Strickland accepted he won that battle, which formally went to Du Plessis by means of part choice. The as it were caveat in this arrange is Khamzat Chimaev, who faces previous winner Robert Whittaker afterward this month. I have campaigned for a Khamzat title battle for a whereas presently, since it's basically time to see it. It's past due. But in this case, Strickland is the most meriting, notwithstanding of what happens with Chimaev. And Chimaev isn't precisely dynamic besides, so who's to say he can't hold up for his shot after Strickland has his?

Wild card: Champ of Whittaker vs. Chimaev on June 22

That Du Plessis-Adesanya title battle is still a few months absent. It wouldn't be stunning if the UFC looked to set up a No. 1 contender battle some time recently booking one of these two straight to a title. I incline toward to see Strickland hold up, but this matchup would moreover be great.

Paulo Costa, middleweight

What ought to be following: Failure of Du Plessis vs. Adesanya

Costa has demonstrated he can be competitive at the beat, and he's demonstrated he can be a title. His notoriety has developed in later a long time, in spite of dropping his greatest battles. Elaborately, either of these matchups would be awesome. And if it were to be Adesanya, there would be bounty of storylines to offer after the way Adesanya mortified Costa in 2020.

Wild card: Chimaev

If Chimaev loses to Whittaker on June 22, or indeed if he wins and the UFC needs to set him up with a nontitle battle, do not be astounded if the UFC returns to this matchup. It was booked final year, but Costa was constrained to drag out due to injury.

Kevin Holland, middleweight

What ought to be another: Neil Magny

Holland has needed to battle Magny for a whereas, and he brought up Magny's title once more to me amid battle week. He told me he never turned down a Scratch Diaz battle. He needed to battle at UFC 302, win and have the UFC report his Diaz battle by the night's conclusion. UFC went another heading with Diaz, but Holland really doesn't care. He fair needs to battle habitually, as we all know. Magny is the same way. To be perfectly honest, it's a battle I'm stunned hasn't happened however, given how dynamic these two are. Might as well do it presently. Book it for any occasion requiring a small fun, and this will do the trick.

Wild card: Caio Borralho

This fair appears like a remarkably fun battle to me. Borralho is beginning to pick up reputation with a 16-1 record and a knockout win over Paul Craig his final time out. Both of these folks have engaging identities. Their battle week intelligent would be exceptionally tall vitality. And elaborately, it'd be a parcel of gas from the opening chime. And I do not intellect seeing Holland as a middleweight. He's likely superior suited for a title run at 170 pounds, but he doesn't care almost a title. If he doesn't care approximately it, why ought to we? Put him in fun battles, and this would be a fun one.