Conor McGregor rival handed indefinite UFC ban after brutal title defeat

06 June 2024 , 16:00

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Islam Makhachev beat Dustin Poirier in their UFC 302 fight

Dustin Poirier has been suspended indefinitely after his loss to Islam Makhachev in their UFC world title fight.

Former interim champion and perennial contender Poirier came up short in his third attempt to become an undisputed champion in his fight against Makhachev at UFC 302 last weekend. Poirier did put up a good fight but was choked unconscious in the final round against the protege of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Poirier was bloodied and bruised after the fight and listed a trio of injuries in his latest social media post that read: "Nose is broken bad, rib is broken and my ACL is partially torn." The American's injuries have resulted in the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board handing him an indefinite medical suspension.

Makhachev choked out Poirier in the final round

"I was fighting to be the world champion, what else am I fighting for? I don't need the money but my health comes first, will I ever get another shot again? It's such a tough mountain to climb that I've climbed so many times. I've had 50 fights, I'm now 35 and I had my first fight when I was 18-years-old," Poirier said after his loss.

"At some time this is going to catch up with me. I felt that I was going to be a world champion but I've just got to see what's next. I can still compete, but I don't want this sport to retire me and squeeze me out. I just competed with the pound-for-pound number one, but this could be my last fight."

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Makhachev is now unbeaten in 14 fights and defended his lightweight world title for the third consecutive time by choking out Poirier. The Russian wants to move up in weight to challenge for Leon Edwards' world title in his next fight. "Dustin is one of the best in the world," Makhachev said after his win.

"I am happy to get the finish against him, if there wasn't a finish we would still have many questions. It's my dream to fight in Madison Square Garden and now I think the American fans like me because I put on a good fight tonight. If they give me a chance for that, it's my dream."

Harry Davies