Islam Makhachev reveals most enjoyable fight of career

While Islam
Makhachev has had several dominant wins, they are not the ones
he cherishes the most.

Makhachev (28-1) recently admitted that winning his second
Ultimate Fighting Championship title with a dominant unanimous
decision win over Jack
Della Maddalena last year was an emotional moment for him.
However, that is not the fight that Makhachev rewatches most
frequently. Makhachev revealed that his lightweight title defense
against Dustin
Poirier (30-10) at UFC 302
in 2024 was the most enjoyable performance of his career. What adds
to the pleasure is that Makhachev was able to finish Poirier
despite throwing caution to the wind.

“Winning the championship was very emotional,” Makhachev told
RedCorner MMA. “But the fight I keep rewatching is the Poirier
fight. We fought as if it was a street fight. Plus, I managed to
finish him. I really enjoyed this fight.”

Poirier made his third and final UFC lightweight title bid against
Makhachev at UFC 302. “The Diamond” gave Makhachev one of the
toughest tests of his career, showing exemplary takedown defense.
Makhachev managed to hold his own against Poirier on the feet and
finished him with a brabo choke in the final round.