Dustin Poirier has been handed an indefinite medical suspension after being choked unconscious and suffering multiple severe injuries during his defeat to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302. The 35-year-old fighter’s third attempt to capture the lightweight championship ended in heartbreak as Makhachev secured victory in the fifth round of their intense battle.
The fight, held in New Jersey, was a back-and-forth affair with both men showcasing their strengths. Makhachev dominated with significant control time on the ground, while Poirier caused damage when he managed to keep the fight standing. However, in the fifth round, Makhachev took the fight back to the canvas and locked in a d’arce choke, forcing Poirier to submit in the third minute.
The bout was a grueling contest that left both fighters bloodied and bruised. Days after the fight, Poirier took to social media to reveal the extent of his injuries, posting a photo of an X-ray showing his shattered nose. “Nose is broken bad, rib is broken and my ACL is partially torn… FIGHT LIFE,” Poirier wrote on X. He further explained that his broken nose was the result of an accidental headbutt.
The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board has since issued an indefinite medical suspension for Poirier, leaving his return to the Octagon uncertain. It is not yet known if his injuries will require surgery.
Reflecting on his career and future, Poirier hinted at a possible retirement. “If I do fight again, what am I fighting for? Just to fight? I’ve done that 50 times,” he said. “I’ve got a little girl, I’m 35 years old, this might be it. I think this might be it.”
Poirier’s potential retirement would mark the end of a distinguished career that saw him become one of the most respected fighters in the lightweight division. His fans and the MMA community will be awaiting further updates on his condition and decision regarding his fighting future.
