Islam Makhachev submits Dustin Poirier to retain UFC title

NEWARK, N.J. -- Dustin Poirier is widely recognized as the greatest UFC fighter to never hold an undisputed championship, and Islam Makhachev made sure that remained true Saturday night, submitting him in the fifth round to retain the lightweight title during UFC 302 at the Prudential Center.

Makhachev had to fight hard against a resilient opponent who did everything in his power to dethrone UFC's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in front of a crowd that desperately wanted to see Poirier achieve his dream.

But on this night, Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) would gladly accept the role as both villain and dream shatterer.