Ali Akbar Rosady
The highly anticipated lightweight championship bout at UFC 302 in 2024 between then-reigning champion Islam Makhachev and challenger Dustin Poirier captivated the mixed martial arts world, ultimately ending in a fifth-round submission victory for Makhachev. However, a recent revelation from Poirier has ignited a fresh controversy regarding the dramatic size disparity between the two fighters on fight night, prompting a swift rebuttal from the Dagestani champion.
Dustin Poirier, a veteran of numerous high-stakes encounters and a perennial contender in the UFC’s lightweight division, boasts a career marked by an impressive resume of opponents. Known for his resilience, striking prowess, and heart, Poirier has faced a veritable "who’s who" of the sport’s elite. Yet, his experience against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 evidently left a lasting impression, particularly concerning the physical attributes of his adversary. Makhachev, widely regarded as one of the most dominant grapplers in the sport’s history, had frequently voiced his intentions to transition to the welterweight division in the future, citing persistent difficulties in making the demanding 155-pound lightweight limit. This background adds significant context to Poirier’s recent comments.
Recalling the moments leading up to their championship clash, Poirier described an immediate and striking observation regarding Makhachev’s physique. "I looked across under those spotlights, and he had veins in his shoulders and shit," Poirier recounted during a recent appearance on Joe Rogan’s widely popular podcast. "I’m like f*ck, this guy’s huge." This initial visual assessment by a fighter with Poirier’s extensive experience speaks volumes, suggesting Makhachev presented a formidable physical presence even before the bell sounded.
The fight itself, held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, saw Poirier push the champion into the fifth round in a gruelling contest that earned both men "Fight of the Night" honours. Despite his valiant effort, Poirier was ultimately submitted by a brabo choke, a signature technique often employed by Makhachev and his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov. While the outcome was clear, the full extent of the physical disparity, according to Poirier, remained unknown to him until recently.
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The true magnitude of the alleged weight difference came to light during a conversation Poirier had with Hunter Campbell, the Chief Business Officer of the UFC. According to Poirier, the UFC maintains internal records of fighters’ rehydration weights on fight night, data that is not typically released to the public or athletic commissions. "Islam is huge. He’s huge," Poirier reiterated. "Hunter [Campbell] from the UFC, I was in his office not too long ago, and they keep a record of all the weights [from] fight night. They don’t release it all, but they keep it. We were talking about the Islam fight when I fought Islam, and he was telling me about his weight, and I was like that’s insane. 192 [pounds] or something, I think. I think so. 190, 191, something around there. I was 176 [pounds]."
This alleged revelation paints a picture of a substantial weight discrepancy. For context, the lightweight division’s non-title fight limit is 156 pounds, with championship bouts requiring fighters to weigh in at precisely 155 pounds. A difference of 14 to 16 pounds between two professional athletes competing in the same weight class on fight night is significant, particularly in a sport where even a few pounds can confer a considerable advantage in strength, power, and grappling efficacy. Most lightweights typically rehydrate to somewhere between 170-185 pounds after making the 155-pound limit. Poirier’s stated 176 pounds is well within a common and competitive range for the division, making Makhachev’s alleged 190-192 pounds an outlier, if accurate. Such a rehydration figure would place Makhachev closer to the lower end of the welterweight division (170 pounds weigh-in limit) or even a larger catchweight.
However, the validity of these figures has been directly challenged by Islam Makhachev himself. Responding to Poirier’s comments, the champion issued a concise denial via Telegram, stating, "I’ve never weighed more than 80kg (176 pounds), ever." This direct contradiction from Makhachev creates a clear divergence in narratives, leaving the public to speculate on the true fight-night weights. Makhachev’s assertion that he has never exceeded 176 pounds, if true, would mean he rehydrates minimally after his weigh-ins, a practice uncommon for many fighters who typically gain 10-20 pounds.
The debate surrounding fighter weight cuts and rehydration is a long-standing one in mixed martial arts. The practice of cutting significant amounts of weight to compete in a lower division, only to rehydrate substantially before the fight, is a contentious issue. While it is a widely accepted strategy to gain a size advantage, it also raises concerns about fighter health and safety, as well as competitive fairness. Athletic commissions generally only mandate a pre-fight weigh-in, with no official second weigh-in on fight day, although some commissions have experimented with fight-day weight checks. The UFC’s internal tracking, as referenced by Poirier, provides a glimpse into data that is usually kept private.
Following his successful lightweight title defenses, including the one against Poirier, Makhachev did indeed transition to the welterweight division, a move he had long foreshadowed. In November, he vacated his lightweight title to compete at 170 pounds, where he immediately made an impact by dominating Jack Della Maddalena to claim the welterweight championship. This move lends some credence to the idea that Makhachev found the 155-pound cut increasingly difficult, reinforcing the narrative of his substantial frame. His performance against Della Maddalena, where he "mauled [him] on the ground for almost the entire five-round fight," further exemplified his grappling dominance and the physical strength he brings to the cage.
Poirier’s reflections on the submission itself also shed light on Makhachev’s unique blend of strength and technique. He described the brabo choke that ended their fight as distinct and exceptionally effective. "It’s different. He strangled me," Poirier explained. "The way he did it, I think [Renato] Moicano filled in last minute to fight Islam and got caught with the same choke. It’s kind of like a D’arce choke, but he locks it on his forearm. He doesn’t go to the bicep. The squeeze is different. He’s pulling to his chest. It’s not like an angle squeeze. It’s different. So the defense is different."
This detailed technical breakdown by Poirier highlights the precision and power behind Makhachev’s grappling. He elaborated on the immediate and overwhelming nature of the choke. "When I got my legs out and tried to walk around, he hooked my leg, but the squeeze is completely different. You know, you belly down, kind of get some space to breathe? You can’t the way he does it," Poirier detailed. He further emphasized the speed with which the submission took effect, indicating a complete and rapid restriction of blood flow. "When he gets the grip locked in, it’s complete, immediate blood shut down," Poirier said. "You know how you usually feel it slowly fading away? It was like quick, right away. The darkness started coming in as soon as he got the grip."
These comments underscore the combined effect of Makhachev’s formidable strength, which would be amplified by a significant weight advantage, and his elite-level grappling technique. His ability to apply such a devastating choke, seemingly without escape and with immediate effect, contributes to his reputation as one of the most dominant champions in the UFC.
The discrepancy in weight claims between Dustin Poirier and Islam Makhachev adds another layer of intrigue to their memorable UFC 302 encounter. While Makhachev firmly denies carrying such a significant weight advantage, Poirier’s account, citing internal UFC data, suggests a substantial disparity that could have played a role in the fight’s dynamics. This ongoing discussion serves to highlight the persistent debate within MMA regarding the impact of weight cutting and rehydration on competitive outcomes and the ever-present quest for physical advantage in the octagon.
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