Khabib Handed a Reality Check as ‘Lunatic’ Judging at UFC 302 Receives UFC Ref’s Honest Verdict – “Islam Was Up…”

One of the biggest events of the year, UFC 302, has finally ended. The much-anticipated event lived up to its expectations and entertained the fans. Former UFC fighter Josh ‘The Punk’ Thomson and former UFC referee Big John McCarthy recently took to their YouTube channel to discuss the event. One of the most talked-about clashes of the event was the main bout between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier.

Makhachev won the fight via decision, but as revealed by a video on X, one judge scored the fight 2-2, which surprised Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, McCarthy cleared that Makhachev won the first three rounds.

Big John McCarthy feels Islam Makhachev was winning on the scorecardADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

32-year-old Islam Makhachev faced one of his toughest competitors, Dustin Poirier, at UFC 302. What promised to be a blockbuster fight lived up to its expectations and went the full five rounds. However, Makhachev ended the fight in the fifth round via submission, thus retaining his title. Analyzing the fight, former referee Big John McCarthy felt that the Dagestani fighter had lost the fourth round. Thomson, while speaking to the former referee on ‘Weighing In’, said, “It wasn’t looking good in the fifth there. I gotta be honest. It was looking a bit dicey.”

McCarthy was quick to share his opinion on the whole and pointed out that the champion was in control. However, he did mention that Makhachev was in a bit of a problem in the fourth. He said, “Islam was up in that fight. No matter what anyone wants to say. He won the first three rounds. I thought he lost the fourth. I had him losing the fourth and then fifth was going the way it was, and I gotta say he pulled off one of the most beautiful Russian ankle ties.”

Article continues below this ad

Makhachev proved to everyone that he was one of the best in the business. Despite getting challenged, the 32-year-old kept his composure and won his fourteenth consecutive fight in the UFC. His performance earned him accolades from many MMA fighters, including former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

Kamaru Usman credits Islam Makhachev for his UFC 302 winWhen 32-year-old Islam Makhachev entered the Octagon on June 1, many felt there could be an upset on the cards. ‘The Diamond’ was entering the fight high on confidence and even promised to knock out the champ. While the fight started on a positive note for Poirier, Makhachev eventually came out on top. His latest win has put him in the category of the greatest and Kamaru Usman also feels the same. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ recently took to his Pound 4 Pound podcast and credited Makhachev for his latest performance.

Article continues below this ad

The former champion said, “I think Dustin Poirier did a phenomenal job of that. He touched Islam. But listen, Islam’s a dog. Islam stayed in there and Islam still went and got the finish.” He then shifted his focus to the ongoing debate of whether Islam Makhachev was the #1 P4P fighter in the world. The veteran added. “So if that’s not what pound-for-pound means, I don’t know what it is. Pound-for-pound does not mean, oh yeah, you’re gonna walk through everybody. It just means your style will translate through every different division, every weight class.”

Do you feel Islam Makhachev is the best fighter in the MMA at the moment? Let us know in the comments below.