Introduction
Islam Makhachev has firmly established himself as one of the top lightweights in mixed martial arts. Known for his elite wrestling, relentless pressure, and submission acumen, he has carved out an almost flawless record in the UFC. However, in any discussion about his career, one cannot ignore the key fights that define his rise — notably his showdown with Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, and the only defeat on his record, which came years before he ascended to champion. In this article, we analyze Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier, who has lost to whom in their MMA journeys, and what these fights mean for their legacies.
Background: Who Is Islam Makhachev?
Islam Makhachev is a Russian mixed martial artist from Dagestan, widely viewed as one of the most complete lightweight fighters in the UFC. A protege of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Makhachev developed a strong base in sambo and wrestling, which he combines with ever-improving striking and submission skills.
As of his fight history, Makhachev’s professional MMA record stands at 27 wins and 1 loss. His only career loss came early, and since then he’s been on a dominant run, particularly in the UFC.
Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier – UFC 302
On 1 June 2024, Islam Makhachev defended his UFC Lightweight Championship against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. This was a marquee fight: Poirier, a former interim champ and a very experienced veteran, came in with serious credentials.
The Fight
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Result: Makhachev won via submission (modified D’Arce choke) in the 5th round, at around 2:42.
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It was a hard-fought battle — Poirier defended takedowns, showed grit, and caused a cut on Makhachev’s forehead.
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Despite Makhachev admitting he made mistakes, he managed to secure the finish, showing composure under pressure.
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After the fight, Poirier disclosed he suffered serious injuries: a broken nose, broken rib, and a partially torn ACL.
Makhachev himself reflected on the bout, saying that although it was one of his more challenging performances, he appreciates it and often re-watches it to analyze what he did right and wrong.
From a career perspective, this fight was very significant for Makhachev. It was one of his title defenses and showcased both his physical and mental resilience under duress.
Who Has Lost to Whom? – Detailed Career Losses
To really answer “Who has lost to whom?”, we need to look at both fighters’ losses in their MMA careers.
Islam Makhachev’s Losses
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Only Defeat: Makhachev’s only professional loss came against Adriano Martins at UFC 192.
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Method: Knockout (KO) via a counter right hook.
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This loss occurred early in his UFC tenure (2015) and has remained his lone blemish on the record.
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Since that loss, Makhachev has gone on a long winning streak and has not been defeated again.
Dustin Poirier’s Losses (Notably vs Makhachev)
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As of his recent fight, Poirier’s professional record shows several losses.
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Loss to Makhachev:
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At UFC 302, Poirier lost to Makhachev via submission (D’Arce choke) in the 5th round.
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As mentioned, he sustained significant injuries during that fight: broken nose, rib injury, and a partially torn ACL.
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Poirier has also lost to other top fighters in his career (e.g., Charles Oliveira via submission, Justin Gaethje via KO, Max Holloway via decision) per his fight history.
Analysis: The Significance of the Makhachev–Poirier Fight
Why This Fight Mattered
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Legacy & Title Defense: For Makhachev, defending the lightweight title against a well-respected veteran like Poirier solidified his standing among the elite in the division.
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Test of Cardiovascular and Mental Strength: Poirier pushed him deep into the fifth round, forcing Makhachev to dig deep to secure the finish.
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Injury Toll: The injuries Poirier sustained highlight how brutal the fight was — not just skill-wise but physically demanding.
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Learning Opportunity: Makhachev himself admitted he made mistakes. Rather than being complacent, he analyzed and learned, which is a mark of a champion’s mindset.
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Respect Between Fighters: Despite the intensity, there is mutual respect. Their bout is considered one of Makhachev’s most entertaining title fights.
Impact on Their Careers
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Islam Makhachev: The win maintained his near-perfect record, strengthened his legacy, and showed he’s not invulnerable — but capable of enduring and adapting.
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Dustin Poirier: Despite the loss, many praised his toughness. He survived multiple attempts, stood strong, but ultimately couldn’t avoid the submission. However, the injuries may have lasting consequences, and this fight is often cited when discussing his durability and heart.
Other Notable Opponents and Losses
While the Makhachev-Poirier fight is a highlight, it’s also useful to contextualize it in the broader picture of each fighter’s career.
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Makhachev’s wins: Apart from Poirier, Makhachev has defeated top-tier fighters like Charles Oliveira (submission) and Alexander Volkanovski (twice — once by decision, once by KO).
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Poirier’s other losses:
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Charles Oliveira: lost via submission.
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Justin Gaethje: lost by KO/TKO.
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Max Holloway: in one of his later fights, Poirier lost via decision.
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What Makhachev Said About His Mistakes vs Poirier
Islam has publicly acknowledged that his performance against Poirier was not perfect. Here are some of his reflections:
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He said Poirier prepared very well, defended his wrestling, and made him work for every takedown.
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He admitted to botching a kimura attempt — thinking he had it, but then making a mistake.
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Despite the mistakes, when he watches the fight back, he enjoys it: he knows what went right and wrong, and sees it as a growth moment.
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This humility and self-reflection are part of what makes him a special fighter: even at the elite level, he doesn’t rest on his laurels.
The Aftermath: Injuries, Recovery, and Legacy
Poirier’s Injuries:
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As revealed after UFC 302, Poirier’s nose was “shattered,” he had a broken rib, and a partially torn ACL.
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These injuries were serious enough that they likely required medical intervention, and recovery from them would have been non-trivial.
Makhachev’s Momentum:
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Following this fight, Makhachev continued his dominance, defending his title again (for example, at UFC 311 he submitted Renato Moicano).
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He has broken lightweight title defense records, underlining that he is not just a one-fight wonder but a consistent top performer.
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His mindset after the Poirier fight — analyzing mistakes and striving to improve — suggests he’s thinking in terms of long-term legacy, not just short-term wins.
Broader Implications: Who’s Ahead in Their Careers?
When comparing who has “lost to” whom in a broader career sense, Makhachev arguably comes out ahead for now:
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Makhachev: Only one loss ever (to Martins), and since then has gone on a dominant streak, winning against top contenders and defending his title multiple times.
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Poirier: While a very decorated and respected veteran, has a number of losses against elite fighters, including Makhachev.
If Poirier is nearing the tail end of his UFC career (as some reports suggest), this fight could very well be remembered as one of his final benchmark performances — a “passing of the torch” moment in some respects.
FAQ
Q1: Who has Islam Makhachev lost to in his MMA career?
A: Islam Makhachev has lost only once in his professional MMA career — to Adriano Martins via KO at UFC 192.
Q2: Did Dustin Poirier lose to Islam Makhachev?
A: Yes. At UFC 302 on 1 June 2024, Poirier was submitted by Makhachev with a modified D’Arce choke in the 5th round.
Q3: What injuries did Poirier sustain in the fight against Makhachev?
A: After the fight, Poirier revealed he suffered a broken nose, broken rib, and a partially torn ACL.
Q4: Has Makhachev said anything about his performance vs Poirier?
A: Yes — Makhachev admitted he made mistakes (including a failed kimura attempt), that Poirier defended well, and that he learned a lot from the fight.
Q5: What other key opponents has Makhachev defeated?
A: Notable wins include Charles Oliveira (submission) and Alexander Volkanovski, whom he has beaten twice (once by decision and once by knockout).
Conclusion
The matchup between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier was more than just another title fight — it was a defining chapter in both fighters’ careers. Makhachev’s win solidified his dominance, while Poirier’s grit and subsequent injury fallout added drama and respect to the bout. When we ask, “Who has lost to whom?”, the answer underscores Islam’s near-perfect trajectory, contrasted with Poirier’s battle-hardened journey through elite competition.
