Tag: Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev reacts to Dana White saying Jon Jones is No. 1 pound-for-pound in UFC

Here’s what Islam Makhachev had to say about Dana White saying Jon Jones is No. 1 pound-for-pound in the UFC.

NEWARK, N.J. – Many were blown away with that they saw from [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] on Saturday, solidifying his standing for many as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet or getting him in that spot for others who didn’t have him there already.

However, that wasn’t the case for everyone. UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] sparked a big reaction online when he argued that UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. These comments came after Makhachev’s third title defense of his UFC lightweight belt, which came in the form of a thrilling submission win over Dustin Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in the main event of UFC 302.

Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) was asked at the UFC 302 post-fight press conference what he thought about White’s claims.

“I don’t know – maybe it’s his opinion,” Makhachev said. “I think I saved this card today because all these fights were boring and all arena almost sleep. We showed with Dustin a great performance. Dana gave me two bonuses. Before when I remember I had the first contract I would get very happy when I have bonus, but now it’s OK.”

In the last three years, Makhachev has picked up seven consecutive wins, defeating respected talent in Poirier, Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovksi (twice) and others. He has six finishes in that seven-fight run. Meanwhile, Jones has only fought once, submitting Ciryl Gane to claim the vacant UFC heavyweight title in 2023.

As far as Makhachev’s showing, he was happy with what he was able to display at UFC 302, but said he thinks there’s plenty of room for growth.

“I think Dustin prepared for this fight very well,” Makhachev said. “He said this was his last chance, and I think they did a great job. He improved his wrestling defense.

“I think my mistake in this fight is that I have to believe in my striking more because I show my striking today. I landed a lot of good punches and the first punches, I almost knocked him down. If I believe more, I think I can knock him out. But it’s OK. I’m happy to finish him on the ground.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: Islam Makhachev submits Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor parties, Nick Diaz returns, more

On “Spinning Back Clique,” our panel discusses Islam Makhachev’s win over Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor’s partying videos and more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Nolan King and Mike Bohn will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at 11 a.m. ET (8 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate the following topics:

  • [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] remains the champion at 155 pounds. The Khabib Nurmagomedov protege completed his third title defense at lightweight, submitting longtime contender [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] in a thrilling bout in the main event of UFC 302. After the fight, Makhachev called for a chance to fight for the welterweight belt. Should the UFC grant this wish to Makhachev? Where does Saturday’s win put Makhachev in the pound-for-pound conversation? Should Poirier retire after the loss? We discuss.
  • UFC 302 saw other results outside the lone title fight, as [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] got back to his winning ways; [autotag]Kevin Holland [/autotag] picked up a first-round submission win in his return to middleweight; Jailton Almeida continues to be a threat at heavyweight; and more. We revew some of the other highlights of Saturday’s card.
  • The card that will be hosting [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag]’s return to the octagon has finally taken shape. The promotion added an intriguing welterweight bout between [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag], while also getting [autotag]Carlos Ulberg[/autotag] to step in for [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] to take on [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag]. The panel discusses the latest additions to the event, along with the videos that surfaced showing McGregor partying weeks away from his return.
  • [autotag]Nick Diaz[/autotag] is back and so is [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag]. The two beloved MMA veterans make their return on Aug. 3 at UFC on ABC 7 in Abu Dhabi. On that same card, two big bouts pitting Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon Vera, and Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez were also added. How do we feel about Diaz and Ferguson’s return bouts? What do these other matchups mean for their respective divisions? We cover it all.

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‘Today Islam grew a lot’: Khabib Nurmagomedov praises Makhachev’s performance at UFC 302

Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov gave a glowing review of Islam Makhachev’s submission win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302.

[autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] believes UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] will walk away from UFC 302 as a much better fighter.

The UFC Hall of Famer was in Makhachev’s corner at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., helping guide his lifelong friend, training partner, and pupil to a successful title-defending submission victory over Dustin Poirier in the UFC 302 main event.

Although this fight did not go the distance like Makhahcev’s first title defense over Alexander Volkanovski, Poirier pushed Makhachev hard, and became the first to open cuts on the champ. Nurmagomedov noticed how hard Makhachev had to fight for the victory, and was pleased at how he persevered.

“To be honest, today Islam grew a lot,” Nurmagomedov said in a video on UFC’s social media. “You don’t even understand. When you go deep like today, it shows people you understand your body, and your things inside, and how deep you can go even more.

“All the time people underestimate themself – our body, our soul. We can go more deeper than five rounds, 10 rounds – it doesn’t matter.You just have to find this. You just have to be relaxed and find this way you have to go. How you can go deep. It was a very deep fight.”

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Nurmagomedov returned to Makhachev’s corner for the first time since he won the lightweight title by defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. After taking time away from the sport to be with his family, Nurmagomedov returned after missing two fights to reunite with Makhachev.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Islam Makhachev after UFC 302 title defense?

Should Islam Makhachev move to welterweight for a second belt or run it back with Arman Tsarukyan after his UFC 302 title defense?

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Dustin Poirier after UFC 302 title loss?)

[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] held serve as top dog in the lightweight division Saturday when he defended his title against Dustin Poirier in the UFC 302 headliner.

Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) tied the all-time divisional title defense record when he locked up a fifth-round submission on Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., extending his winning streak to 14 fights inside the octagon.

Following the win, there appears to be two paths for Makhachev: Go all-in on moving up to welterweight to challenge the Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad winner at UFC 304, or attempt to take sole possession of the 155-pound title defense record with a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan.

What does the future hold for Makhachev? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future after UFC 302.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

Video: Watch Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier’s backstage conversation after UFC 302

If Dustin Poirier is done with his fighting career, the man who would be his final opponent wants him to know he was an all-time great.

NEWARK, N.J. – If [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] is done with his fighting career, the man who would be his final opponent wants him to know he was an all-time great.

That was part of the message from [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) to Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) backstage after UFC 302 on Saturday at Prudential Center. Makhachev defended his lightweight title in the main event, and Poirier said after the fight it might have been his last.

The former interim lightweight champion met up with Makhachev backstage to thank him for the fight and wish him and his team future luck. The two further appeared to bury the hatchet from what purportedly was a misunderstanding earlier in the week due to differences in language, and Makhachev told Poirier he considers him one of the best.

Check out their exchange below, courtesy of the UFC on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7t7LlSNQBD

Poirier was submitted by Makhachev in the fifth round. It was the Louisiana native’s third shot at an undisputed UFC title, and though he’s only 35, after the fight he pointed to the wear and tear on his body of fighting for more than half of his life as a factor more than the age itself.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

No surprise: Jon Jones stands by Dana White’s claim he’s MMA’s all-time P4P great

Islam Makhachev continued to live up to his longtime promise against Dustin Poirier. Where does he fall on the pound-for-pound list?

NEWARK, N.J. – [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] continued to live up to his longtime promise Saturday with a UFC 302 main event win.

Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) was in a Fight of the Night thriller with Dustin Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC), but kept chasing a submission even into the final round and finally tapped the former interim champion with a D’Arce choke to defend the lightweight title at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Afterward, the talk from various broadcast booths, both during the live event and after the card was over, was that Makhachev had sealed the deal as MMA’s pound-for-pound current top fighter. But UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] begged to differ.

Although White long has lauded former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov as one of the all-time pound-for-pound greats, and regularly has praised Nurmagomedov’s lifelong friend and teammate Makhachev as his proverbial second coming, the UFC head said someone else is atop the pound-for-pound list right now: heavyweight champion and former light heavyweight champ [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC).

“I think (Makhachev) is one of the greatest of all time,” White told MMA Junkie at his post-event news conference. “I think he’s incredible. I don’t think he’s the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.

“For anyone to call Islam the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world when Jon Jones is still f*cking fighting is nuts and shouldn’t be (voting) in the pound-for-pound (list) or doing any of the f*cking rankings ever if that’s what you really think. Jon Jones has never lost a fight ever. And then when you think about what the pound-for-pound rankings really mean, he moved up to heavyweight and destroyed the best guy in the world.”

Not surprisingly, Jones agrees.

“It felt awesome to get that level of recognition from the boss, the man that’s literally been here since UFC 1. I know the haters are not gonna like his comments but Dana’s a pretty hard person to argue with. @danawhite has had a front row seat to my entire career, facts are facts,” Jones posted on social media.

Jones won the light heavyweight title in 2011 and set the UFC record for youngest titleholder. After his eighth title defense in early 2015, which already was a record, he was stripped of the title for the first time when he failed a drug test with a positive cocaine test. A few months later, he was involved in a felony hit-and-run.

He returned and won an interim title in 2016, then unified the 205-pound title picture with a second win over rival Daniel Cormier. Jones was pulled from his rematch with Cormier during UFC 200 fight week for a positive steroid test that widely was blamed on contaminated substances and he was suspended again. Jones beat Cormier in 2017, but that title win was overturned and Jones again was stripped of a belt when he tested positive for steroids at UFC 214.

He reclaimed the title in late 2018 and had three decision wins in 2019-2020. But after his UFC 247 win over Dominick Reyes, he surrendered the light heavyweight title and declared an intention to move to heavyweight to go after a belt there.

After more than three years off, he beat Ciryl Gane in March 2023 to win the vacant heavyweight title after champion Francis Ngannou left the promotion in a contract dispute. So White’s contention that Jones “destroyed the best guy in the world” has to be predicated on the idea that Gane, who lost to Ngannou in 2022, was the world’s top fighter at the time – a supposition that most analysts dispute.

Jones has not fought since his March 2023 win over Gane. He suffered a training injury that has been keeping him from a fight with former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC) expected to take place later this year. There has been speculation that both Miocic, who will turn 42 in August, will retire after the fight – and that Jones might, too.

Going back 10 years, Jones has fought just eight times, and one was flipped to a no contest. He’s 7-0 in those fights with five decisions.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

Islam Makhachev prefers UFC welterweight title shot over Arman Tsarukyan: ‘It does not make sense when you have rematch’

Following UFC 302, Islam Makhachev gave his immediate road map and what he wants next – and he’d prefer Arman Tsarukyan not be part of that.

NEWARK, N.J. – [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] will accept whatever challenge the promotion offers him next, but his preferences are clear.

Following UFC 302, UFC CEO Dana White called a matchup vs. [autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag] the fight to make for Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC). However, the lightweight champion much prefers a step up in division instead after his submission win Saturday over Dustin Poirier.

“Who doesn’t want to be double champion?” Makhachev told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at a post-fight news conference Sunday at Prudential Center. “This is history. How many double champions we have? This is a dream for all fighters, to get second belt.

“This is my dream. I want to be in the history and people know me like double champ. This is my dream. If I have chance, a small chance, I will get. If you want a great legacy, you have to get second belt. It’s my opinion.”

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Makhachev repeatedly called for a fight at Madison Square Garden in New York and voiced enjoyment in fighting in the United States.

While Makhachev said he’d agree to fight Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) if that’s what White wants, the prospect of fighting someone he already beat is largely unappealing.

Makhachev defeated Tsarukyan by unanimous decision in April 2019. It was Tsarukyan’s promotional debut.

“I’m ready, man,” Makhachev said. “Dana has my number. Just call me and put some new challenge. … It does not make sense when you have rematch. I need some new challenge. But if Dana want, let’s do it. No problem.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

UFC 302 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Islam Makhachev’s $42,000 tops card

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 302 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $218,500.

NEWARK, N.J. – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 302 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $281,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 302 took place at Prudential Center. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

The full UFC 302 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Michal Oleksiejczuk[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Niko Price[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Alex Morono[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Randy Brown[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Roman Kopylov[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Cesar Almeida[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Grant Dawson[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Joe Solecki[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Jailton Almeida[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Alexandr Romanov[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Jake Matthews[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Phil Rowe[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Bassil Hafez[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Mickey Gall[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Ailin Perez[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Joselyne Edwards[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Andre Lima[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Mitch Raposo[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $3,264,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $26,001,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

UFC 302 results: Islam Makhachev finishes Dustin Poirier in final round of absolute thriller

Dustin Poirier had his moments at UFC 302 and even sliced the champion, but Islam Makhachev got the job done late.

NEWARK, N.J. – [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] had 25 minutes to finish the story, but [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] wrote an alternate ending.

In an all-time thrilling battle, Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) submitted Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) with a D’Arce choke at the 2:42 mark of Round 5. The lightweight title bout was the UFC 302 main event Saturday at Prudential Center.

Poirier immediately found himself in deep, dangerous waters early in Round 1, as Makhachev almost immediately took him down. Makhachev worked to the back but Poirier’s rear-naked choke defense was sufficient enough to survive the round.

As Round 2 progressed, Poirier found increasing success. He stuffed Makhachev’s takedown attempts, though each sequence was a lengthy struggle. Poirier found success in the pocket and in the clinch, particularly with a left elbow.

With each strike Poirier landed, Prudential Center burst into deafening cheers. Chants of “F*ck you, Islam,” also proved this was Poirier’s turf.

But Makhachev blocked out the thousands of expletives spit his way. In Round 3, he landed some hard punches on Poirier before he dragged it to the canvas once again. Poirier dug deep, raised to the feet, and shoved Makhachev off.

Upon the break, Poirier blew out a half-booger, half-blood hybrid and marched forward. Poirier landed on Makhachev, who returned. The two fighters exchanged blows until the end-of-round horn. Poirier stuck out his tongue as he walked back to the corner, his eyes swollen.

Both fighters showed wear, tear, and fatigue in the early stages of the championship rounds. An initially-slow clinch sequence against the cage burst into a Poirier body shot barrage as he punished the champion’s midsection.

As they separated, Poirier came on strong. He sliced Makhachev badly above the left eye. At the end of the round, the two fighters came forehead-to-forehead, leaving blood prints on one another.

In the final round, Makhachev engaged Poirier in a takedown attempt. He was relentless and used a single-leg takedown that tripped Poirier. Makhachev eventually worked for a guillotine choke that he switched to a D’Arce to get the tap.

Poirier remained down while doctors and commission officials tended to him. Makhachev’s team hopped the cage in celebration. That included Bellator champion Usman Nurmagomedov, who was seated in the crowd but still scaled a barrier and the cage to hug his teammate. Nurmagomedov was escorted backstage by security.

After the fight, Makhachev called for a welterweight title shot after his third successful lightweight title defense.

Poirier hinted once again at retirement, but couldn’t commit. Poirier was emotional as he shouted out his loved ones for their support  throughout his career.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 302 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

UFC 302 video: Hear from each winner, guest fighters backstage

Check out what the UFC 302 winners and guest fighters had to say backstage at Saturday’s event.

NEWARK, N.J. – UFC 302 took place Saturday with 12 bouts on the lineup. We’ve got you covered with backstage winner interviews from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

You can hear from all the UFC 302 winners by checking out their post-fight news conferences below.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.