This Saturday (1/6), the city of Newark (USA) hosted the most famous octagon in the world, with UFC 302.
This Saturday (1/6), the city of Newark (USA) hosted the most famous Octagon in the world, with UFC 302. The main attraction of the evening was the fight for the lightweight title between Islam Makahchev and Dustin Poirier
The fight was closer and more balanced than one could have imagined, given the already well-known dominance of the Russian. But, in the fifth round, as soon as he had the chance, he got the submission and managed to keep the 70kg belt with him.
Fight
Makhachev attacks and soon lands a left, which Poirier responds to, but ends up soon forcing the Russian to fight on the ground. In his natural habitat, the champion dominated and soon opted for the kimura, later losing position and going to the rear of ‘Diamond’, where he soon positioned himself to try for a submission, once again without success. The American tried to defend himself in every way from the Russian’s attacks, who even flirted with an armbar in the first part of the fight.
At the start of the second round, Makhachev grabbed Poirier’s leg and took him to the ground, but the American got up. The Russian tried and failed to get another takedown and soon the fight became more about striking, with both doing well with punches. The one with the most intensity on his feet was the champion, who tried a combination and took the fight to the limit, but the challenger managed to reverse the position. The fight became more ferocious in the closing moments and “Diamond” managed to land a nice left jab from Makhachev, who responded with a takedown.
But in the third round, the champion’s dominance returned and, after a series of elbows, the Russian took the win and defeated the American. On the ground, Makhachev worked as hard as he could on the submission of him, went to mount, but Poirier managed to use the fence to escape the Russian’s grip and soon both attempted strikes. Encouraged by the fans, ‘Diamond’ applied the pressure and the final part saw two fighters giving their all with their punches.
The exchange continued to be the focus of the start of the fourth round. Makhachev landed a nice hook to the body of Poirier, who then went for the combination. The fight remained more on the feet, but when the Russian pressed him against the fence, he worked hard to get the takedown and get it, but the American reversed course and got back up. The ‘Diamond’ began striking hard towards the ribs of the champion, who responded by trying to take the fight to the cage and investing in a guillotine choke.
In the fifth and decisive round, there were more shots and Poirier seemed to be a little more flexible than Makhahcev, although the fight seemed quite even. When he was eliminated, ‘Diamond’ tried to resist, but the Russian attempted the guillotine. When the American escaped, he opened space for the champion’s ‘D’Arce Choke’, which hit and forced his rival to tap, achieving the title defense and perhaps the most difficult victory of his career.
Sean Strickland wins close fight with Borrachinha
The main event of the evening saw Paulo Borrachinha and Sean Strickland face off in a key fight in the middleweight division. The Brazilian starts well with his kicks, trying to worry Strickland, who tries to find a way to contain the initiative of the native of Minas Gerais, who tries with his punches to further increase the discomfort for ‘Tarzan’. The first round had minimal impact on the offensive movement.
Leg kicks continued to be the Brazilian’s diet even in the second round. It took Strickland a while to find himself, but as soon as he went on the attack he gave Borrachinha a run for his money, using combinations well and trying to defend the Minas Gerais player’s shots. The former champion, noticing a certain loss of space on the part of his opponent, increased the pressure using his right hand in the final part of the round.
In the third round, more low kicks from Paulo Borrachinha, but Strickland increases the pressure and has two good right hands that torment the Brazilian. Although tired, the Minas Gerais native continued to apply pressure to try to annoy his opponent, but the American controlled the duel in this part and had a good uppercut in the final seconds,
The American continued to control the fight in the fourth round, now without exposing himself as offensively to the Brazilian. Strickland defended the low kicks well and, while not advancing with more momentum than in previous rounds, he had greater control and did not see Borrachinha respond forcefully in search of the knockout.
Going all or nothing, Paulo Borrachinha moved up in the fifth round and managed to land some good punches. Strickland, who already controlled the result more, saw the Brazilian go up and increase the pressure with his shots. The American took a while to respond and the final minutes were tense between the parties. The two began a relatively frank fight and “Tarzan” almost had a chance to decide everything with a series of punches and a high kick that the miner blocked. In the end, the former champion took home the victory via split decision. And, after the fight, he decided to put aside the traditional post-fight interview for a few seconds to hang out with Donald Trump, who was watching UFC 302.
Jailton Malhadinho finishes and André Mascote has a narrow victory
Opening the main card, Elizeu Capoeira faced Randy Brown to shake up the UFC. The Brazilian did what he could, trying to impose his game with caution against a rival who was trying to be more active. Elizeu’s best moment came in the second round, with a straight shot that opened up space for the Jamaican to take down and attempt submissions twice, but failed. Brown stepped up in the third round, bothered the Brazilian and got the win.
César Almeida arrived for his second fight in the UFC, facing Russian Roman Kopylov at the end of the preliminary card of UFC 302 ‘Cesinha’ did not have the best night against his rival and tried in various ways to attack his rival , who succeeded. best impose his game in the Octagon to get the victory
Seeking rehabilitation, Jailton Malhadinho faced Alexandr Romanov and returned to winning in style and the way he was used to ending fights: by submission. The heavyweight managed to implement his game from the first minute, closing the distance and taking down the Moldovan fighter. There, he turned his back to him and tried to smother his bare rear. Romanov tried to defend himself when he could, but in the end he saw the Brazilian adapting well and had to give up.
André Mascote, in his first fight since suffering the controversial bite in his debut, opened UFC 302 by facing Mitch Raposo. The match wasn’t very exciting and the Brazilian managed to improve with his shots, even knocking down the American with a low kick. Raposo manages to balance his actions, but not enough to avoid the Brazilian’s defeat
UFC 302 Results: Makhachev x Poirier
Main card
Islam Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier via submission (2:42 of R5) – Makhachev retains the lightweight belt
Sean Strickland beat Paulo Borrachinha by split decision
Kevin Holland defeated Michal Oleksiejczuk via submission (1:34 of R1)
Niko Price defeated Alex Morono by unanimous decision
Randy Brown beat Elizeu Capoeira by unanimous decision of the judges
Preliminary paper
Roman Kopylov beat César Almeida by split decision
Jailton Malhadinho defeats Alexandr Romanov by submission (2:27 of R1)
Grant Dawson defeated Joe Solecki by unanimous decision
Jake Matthews beat Phil Rowe by unanimous decision
Bassil Hafez defeated Mickey Gall by unanimous decision
Ailin Pérez beat Joselyne Edwards by unanimous decision
André Mascote beat Mitch Raposo by split decision of the judges
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
