If you’re asking who won the poirier fight, you’re probably thinking about that heart-wrenching, technical masterpiece at UFC 302 against Islam Makhachev. It was June 2024. Prudential Center. The air in Newark was thick. Everyone thought Dustin "The Diamond" Poirier was finally going to wrap that undisputed gold around his waist.
He didn't.
Islam Makhachev won. He finished Dustin with a D'Arce choke in the fifth round. It was brutal because Poirier looked so good for twenty-odd minutes. He defended takedowns that usually bury elite lightweights. He cracked Islam. He made the pound-for-pound king bleed. But in the end, the result was a submission loss.
The Reality of UFC 302: Why the Poirier Fight Result Still Stings
Look, Dustin Poirier is the "People’s Champ" for a reason. When people search for who won the poirier fight, they aren't just looking for a name; they’re looking for the context of how a guy like Dustin keeps finding himself in these epic, tragic positions.
Islam Makhachev is a nightmare. Honestly, he’s probably the most complete fighter we’ve seen since Khabib Nurmagomedov, and maybe even more dangerous because his striking is actually sharp. Dustin knew this. He trained his "guillotine" (the one he never finishes but always tries) and worked extensively on his sprawl.
The fight was a back-and-forth chess match.
In the first round, Islam dominated. It looked like it was going to be a short night. He got the back, controlled the hips, and Dustin just had to survive. Most fighters fold there. Dustin didn't. By the third and fourth rounds, Dustin was finding his rhythm. He was landing that lead hook. He was stuffing shots. The crowd was losing their minds.
Then came the fifth.
Dustin was tired. Islam was tired. But Islam found that one opening—a beautiful transition into a D'Arce choke. Dustin tapped. It was his third attempt at the undisputed title, and his third loss in those specific high-stakes moments.
Breaking Down the Scorecards Before the Finish
If the fight hadn't ended in a submission, would the answer to who won the poirier fight have been different? Probably not.
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Judges Eric Colon and Chris Lee had it 39-37 for Makhachev going into the fifth. Sal D’Amato had it 38-38. That means even if Dustin had won the fifth round on all cards, he likely would have lost a split or majority decision. Islam was just more consistent with his control time.
It’s the recurring theme of Dustin’s career: he wins the war of attrition in our hearts, but the scorecards favor the relentless grappling of the Dagestani faction.
The Saint-Denis War: The Last Time Dustin Raised His Hand
Before the Islam fight, we saw Dustin face Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 in March 2024. If you were looking for who won the poirier fight and expected a celebration, this is the one you’re thinking of.
Saint-Denis was a monster. A surging, scary Frenchman with a military background who was supposed to be the "new blood" that retired the old guard. For one round, it looked like he was going to do it. He pressured Dustin. He didn't give him room to breathe.
Dustin kept jumping for guillotines. His coach, Mike Brown, was literally screaming at him to stop.
Then, in the second round, Dustin did what Dustin does. He found the chin. A right hook sent Saint-Denis to the canvas, and a follow-up shot ended it. Total knockout. It reminded everyone that even if Dustin is "old" in fight years, his power is the last thing to go.
Why the Result Matters for the Lightweight Division
The win over Saint-Denis is what earned him the shot against Islam. Without that KO, Dustin might have sailed off into the sunset. Instead, he gave us one more legendary performance.
- Dustin’s boxing remains elite.
- His durability is thinning but his "dog" is still there.
- He is the ultimate litmus test for prospects.
Comparing the Recent Results: A Quick Look
To understand the trajectory of "The Diamond," you have to look at the wins and losses side-by-side.
Against Islam Makhachev (June 2024), he lost via Sub (D'Arce Choke) in Round 5.
Against Benoit Saint-Denis (March 2024), he won via KO (Punch) in Round 2.
Against Justin Gaethje (July 2023), he lost via KO (Head Kick) in Round 2.
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The Gaethje fight was for the BMF title. That one was tough to watch. It was a rematch years in the making. In their first fight in 2018, Dustin won. In the rematch, Gaethje landed a perfectly timed head kick that stiffened Dustin.
So, when someone asks who won the poirier fight, the answer depends entirely on which era of his "final run" you are talking about. He’s 1-2 in his last three, but those three fights were against the absolute elite of the sport.
The Technical Nuance: What Dustin Does Differently
Dustin uses a very specific style of boxing called the "Philly Shell," but he adapts it for MMA. He tucks his chin behind his lead shoulder. He uses his elbows to block body shots. It’s why he’s so hard to put away with standard punches.
The problem? It leaves him vulnerable to high kicks (as seen in the Gaethje fight) and level changes (as seen in the Islam fight).
He’s also famous for the "Poirier Shiver"—that thing where he resets his shoulders and gets his lungs back. If you see him do that, someone is usually about to get knocked out. He did it against McGregor in the second and third fights. He did it against Saint-Denis.
The Retirement Question
After the loss to Islam, Dustin was emotional. He talked about his daughter, Parker. He talked about his body aching. He hinted that this might be it.
But as of early 2026, the MMA world is still buzzing. Is he really done? He’s been teasing a "one last dance." Maybe a trilogy with Gaethje? Maybe a fourth fight with Conor McGregor just for the massive payday?
The reality is that who won the poirier fight often becomes secondary to the spectacle. Dustin doesn't fight for points. He fights for finishes. That’s why his losses don't hurt his brand as much as they would for other fighters. He loses like a warrior.
Semantic Variations: Understanding the Legacy
When we talk about the Poirier vs. Makhachev result, we’re talking about the end of an era for the 155-pound division. Dustin, Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler, and Charles Oliveira—they’ve been the "Big Four" for years.
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Islam Makhachev is the new reality.
If you’re looking for a definitive answer on his most recent outing: Dustin Poirier lost to Islam Makhachev. But he won the respect of every single person watching. He pushed the champion harder than anyone else since Alexander Volkanovski. He proved that his grappling defense, while not perfect, is vastly improved.
Misconceptions About the Finish
Some fans think Dustin "gave up" his neck. That’s just wrong.
Watching the replay, you see Islam use a leg sweep to disrupt Dustin's balance. As Dustin tried to post his arm to stay upright, his neck became exposed. It was a split-second mistake. At that level, a split second is all Islam needs.
It wasn't a lack of cardio. It wasn't a lack of heart. It was just elite-level grappling.
What’s Next? Actionable Steps for MMA Fans
If you're following Dustin's career and want to keep up with what's happening next, don't just wait for the UFC to announce a fight.
- Check The Good Fight Foundation: Dustin spends most of his off-time working on his charity. This is usually where he makes his first public appearances after a loss.
- Watch the Post-Fight Pressers: Dustin is one of the most honest guys in the sport. If he’s going to retire, he’ll say it there, not in a flashy Instagram post.
- Monitor 170 Pounds: There are rumors Dustin might move up to Welterweight for a legacy fight. He’s always struggled with the cut to 155 as he’s gotten older. A fight against someone like Nate Diaz or even a fun matchup with Colby Covington (there's real heat there) could be on the horizon.
The question of who won the poirier fight is settled for now—Islam Makhachev is the reigning, defending champion. But Dustin Poirier’s story isn't necessarily over. He remains the most dangerous "gatekeeper" (though that's a disrespectful term for a guy of his caliber) in the world.
If you want to dive deeper into the stats, look at the significant strike differential in the fourth round of the Islam fight. It’s one of the few times a fighter has out-struck Makhachev in a championship round. That alone tells you everything you need to know about Dustin's skill.
Keep an eye on the UFC rankings. As of now, Dustin still sits in the top 5. As long as he's there, every fight he takes is a "title-relevant" fight. Whether he wins or loses, the world will be watching.
To stay ahead of the curve, follow reliable MMA journalists like Ariel Helwani or Brett Okamoto, who often get the scoop on Dustin's "one last fight" negotiations before they go live on the UFC's social channels. Pay attention to his training camp photos in South Florida at American Top Team (ATT). If he’s back on the mats with Mateusz Gamrot or Jorge Masvidal, a fight announcement is usually only weeks away.