Islam Makhachev Submits Dustin Poirier in Fourth Round to Retain UFC Lightweight Championship

Islam Makhachev successfully defended his UFC lightweight championship for the third time tonight, submitting former interim champion Dustin Poirier with a rear naked choke at 3:47 of the fourth round at UFC 298 in Miami. The 32-year-old Dagestani fighter showcased his complete mixed martial arts skill set, weathering early pressure from Poirier before imposing his grappling dominance to retain his 155-pound title in front of a sold-out crowd at Kaseya Center.

The championship fight began with Poirier applying immediate pressure, utilizing his boxing combinations and leg kicks to keep Makhachev at bay during the opening round. The Louisiana native appeared to have found success with his striking early, landing several clean left hands and maintaining distance to prevent Makhachev from initiating his preferred grappling exchanges. However, Makhachev's patience and tactical adjustments proved crucial as the fight progressed, with the champion gradually finding opportunities to close distance and implement his world-class wrestling and submission game.

Makhachev's breakthrough came in the third round when he successfully completed his first takedown of the fight, immediately transitioning to back control and threatening with submission attempts. While Poirier managed to escape and return to his feet, the momentum had clearly shifted toward the champion, who began mixing his striking more effectively with takedown threats. "Dustin is a very tough fighter with great boxing, but I knew if I could get the fight to the ground, I would have the advantage," Makhachev said through a translator during his post-fight interview.

The finishing sequence in the fourth round was a masterclass in submission grappling, as Makhachev secured another takedown and quickly advanced to back control. Despite Poirier's desperate attempts to escape, the champion locked in the rear naked choke and gradually tightened his grip until the former interim champion was forced to tap. The submission capped off a dominant performance that demonstrated why Makhachev is widely considered one of the most complete fighters in the sport today.

Poirier, who was seeking his first undisputed UFC championship after multiple previous title attempts, showed tremendous heart and skill throughout the contest but ultimately fell short against Makhachev's superior grappling. The 35-year-old veteran acknowledged his opponent's excellence while reflecting on what may have been his final opportunity to capture UFC gold. "Islam is a phenomenal champion and he proved it again tonight," Poirier said. "I gave everything I had, but he was better tonight. I'm not sure what's next for me, but I'll take some time to think about my future."

With the victory, Makhachev extends his winning streak to 14 fights and solidifies his position as one of the UFC's most dominant champions. The performance also strengthened his case for pound-for-pound supremacy, as he continues to evolve his striking while maintaining the grappling excellence that has defined his championship reign. UFC president Dana White praised both fighters during the post-fight press conference while hinting at potential future matchups for Makhachev, including a possible superfight against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski or a unification bout should an interim champion emerge. For now, Makhachev stands atop the lightweight division as its undisputed king, having successfully navigated another dangerous challenge to his throne.