NEWARK, NJ – If Dustin Poirier When his fighting career ends, the man who would be his last opponent wants him to know that he was the greatest of all time.
This was part of the message of Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) to Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) backstage after UFC 302 on Saturday at the Prudential Center. Makhachev defended the lightweight title in the main event, and Poirier said after the fight this could have been his last.
The former interim lightweight champion met with Makhachev backstage to thank him for the fight and wish him and his team luck in the future. The two even appeared to bury the hatchet from what was reportedly a misunderstanding earlier in the week due to language differences, and Makhachev told Poirier he considers him one of the best.
Check out the exchange below, courtesy of UFC on Instagram.
Poirier was submitted by Makhachev in the fifth round. It was the Louisiana native’s third shot at the UFC’s undisputed title, and although he is only 35 years old, after the fight he pointed to the wear and tear on his body from fighting for more than half his life as more of a factor than age at yes.
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC 302.
