UFC 302 LIVE RESULTS: Islam Makhachev chokes out Dustin Poirier as Donald Trump watches from ringside
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
ISLAM Makhachev is still the light heavyweight champion after making Dustin Poirier submit to a d'arce choke.
Poirier stuffed Makhachev's takedowns multiple times throughout the fight but was unable to stop him halfway through the fifth round and ended up tapping out.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump sat ringside for all the action Saturday night just days after his conviction.
Trump made his way ringside at the beginning of the main card with UFC President Dana White and was met with cheers from the crowd.
- Main card start time: 10 pm ET / 3 am BST
- Main event start time: 12 am ET / 5 am BST (approx)
- US stream/TV: /
- UK stream/TV: TNT Sports Box Office
Perez vs Edwards – Round Three
Round three has turned into a grapple fest as both fighters struggle to gain control against the side of the cage.
The fans aren't too pleased and show their displeasure by booing both fighters.
This one could go either way but Edwards has significantly outstruck Perez connecting on 108 of 161 compared to Perez's 54 of 83.
Perez vs Edwards – Round Two
Edwards looks like the better fighter on the feet through two rounds.
Perez pushes forward for a takedown but Edwards grabs her neck for a guillotine submission attempt but is unsuccessful.
Edwards takes Perez to the mat and racks up 3:00 of control time until a crucial mistake.
The match is stopped due to a headbutt from Edwards and each fighter begins the fight back on their feet.
Perez knocks Edwards down with a spinning back fist but doesn't capitalize and is taken down and ends up on her back again.
Ailin Perez of Argentina reacts after a head butt from Joselyne EdwardsCredit: Getty Perez vs Edwards - Round One
Perez and Edwards throw some strikes but the fight quickly is taken to the ground.
Perez pins Edwards against the cage and successfully takes her down and tallies two takedowns early.
Not so fast though Edwards reverses the takedown and takes control halfway through the round!
Perez reverses the takedown back as each fighter ends up rolling around in the middle of the octagon.
Perez drags Edwards down for a third takedown and racks up 3:08 of control time as round one ends.
Next up Ailín Perez vs Joselyne Edwards
The two fighters previously got into an altercation and now will settle their bad blood with UFC-style rules.
Perez enters the bout with a 9-2 record and Edwards comes in with a 13-5 record.
This will be a three-round bantamweight fight.
And the winner is...
Andre Lima by split decision!
Andre Lima secures victoryCredit: Getty Raposo vs Lima – Round Three
The final round has been slow-paced with both fighters keeping their distance from the other.
Lima has punished Raposo's legs the whole fight and has connected on 20 of 37.
Despite Raposo securing the takedown he's gotten pieced up on the feet as Lima has looked like the better striker all fight.
Raposo musters up some offense at the end of the round but it's too little too late.
Round three ends and we will have a decision incoming!
Raposo vs Lima – Round Two
Raposo starts round two with big welts on both of his legs from Lima's powerful leg strikes.
Lima is showing no signs of slowing down and continues to pressure Raposo who has no answer for the leg kicks.
The round is stopped briefly after Lima accidentally pokes Raposo in the eyes.
Raposo has only connected on 13 of 52 total strikes compared to Lima's 22 of 59.
Raposo ends the round on a high note though as he finally secures a takedown on Lima.
Andre Lima of Brazil kicks Mitch Raposo in a flyweight fightCredit: Getty Raposo vs Lima - Round One
The first round has been a bit of a feeling-out process for both fighters as each hasn't thrown many strikes.
Andre Lima is punishing Mitch Raposo with multiple leg kicks.
Lima has been the more efficient and accurate striker in the first round.
First fight of the night!
Mitch Raposo is fighting Andre Lima as the two only have one loss between them.
This will be a three-round fight in the flyweight division.
Fans share excitement
UFC fans are taking to X, formerly known as Twitter to share how excited they are for tonight's event.
The early preliminary card begins now!
Tune into NOW to watch the early preliminary card for UFC 302.
The following fights are taking place:
- Mickey Gall vs. Bassil Hafez
- Ailín Perez vs. Joselyne Edwards
- Mitch Raposo vs Andre Lima
Tale of the tape: Dustin Poirier
Below are Dustin Poirier's statistics coming into his Light Heavyweight Championship clash with Islam Makhachev.
- Age - 35
- Height - 5' 8"
- Weight – 155 lbs
- Reach - 72 inches
Tale of the tape: Dustin Poirier
Below are Dustin Poirier's statistics coming into his Light Heavyweight Championship clash with Islam Makhachev.
- Age - 35
- Height - 5' 8"
- Weight – 155 lbs
- Reach - 72 inches
Tale of the tape: Islam Makhachev
Below are Islam Makhachev's statistics coming into his Light Heavyweight Championship clash with Dustin Poirier.
- Age - 32
- Height - 5' 8"
- Weight - 155 lbs
- Reach - 70.5 inches
Where to watch
Fight fans can catch the early preliminary card on and the preliminary fights on ESPN2.
To watch the main fight card for UFC 302 fans will have to order it on ESPN+.
Islam Makhachev's last five fights
Islam Makhachev has left the octagon with his hand raised in his last five fights.
- Islam Makhachev Decision Alexander Volkanovski
- Islam Makhachev KO/TKO Alexander Volkanovski
- Islam Makhachev KO/TKO Bobby Green
- Islam Makhachev Submission Charles Oliveira
- Islam Makhachev Submission Drew Dober
Dustin Poirier's last five fights
Below are the results from Dustin Poirier's last five UFC clashes.
- Dustin Poirier KO/TKO Benoit Saint-Denis
- Justin Gaethje KO/TKO Dustin Poirier
- Dustin Poirier Submission Michael Chandler
- Dustin Poirier KO/TKO Conor McGregor
- Dustin Poirier KO/TKO Conor McGregor
UFC 302 card: Main card
Below are the main card fights which will take place beginning at 10:00 pm ET on ESPN+.
- Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier - for UFC Lightweight title
- Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa
- Kevin Holland vs Michal Oleksiejczuk
- Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Romanov
- Randy Brown vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
UFC 302 card: Preliminary card
Below are the preliminary fights which will take place at 8:00 pm ET on ESPN+ and ESPN2.
- Cesar Almeida vs. Roman Kopylov
- Grant Dawson vs. Joe Solecki
- Philip Rowe vs. Jake Matthews
- Niko Price vs. Alex Morono
UFC 302 card: Early Preliminary card
Below are the early preliminary fights that will begin at 6:30 pm ET on ESPN+.
- Mickey Gall vs. Bassil Hafez
- Ailín Perez vs. Joselyne Edwards
- Nyamjargal Tumendemberel vs Andre Lima
UFC 302 tonight!
UFC 302 is just hours away and fans are gearing up for what is expected to be an exciting main event.
Dustin Poirier is attempting to win UFC gold for the first time after failing in his previous two championship bouts.
It isn't going to get any easier for the Diamond as he is facing off against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.