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Jon Anik Calls Islam Makhachev’s UFC 302 Win “One of the Sickest Things I’ve Seen”

Jon Anik reacted to Islam Makhachev's win at UFC 302

Islam Makhachev was heavily favored to successfully defend his title at UFC 302 and in the final round of the fight, he delivered on expectations with a submission win over Dustin Poirier. Though the win was expected, how he finished the fight was impressive to many, including UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik.

Anik has been a part of the UFC since 2012 and became the company’s head play-by-play commentator in 2017 following the departure of Mike Goldberg.

Jon Anik Gives High Praise to Islam Makhachev’s UFC 302 Win

Entering UFC 302 as the biggest favorite of the entire fight card, Islam Makhachev had high expectations set forth by analysts despite Dustin Poirier being the fan favorite. In the final round of his third lightweight title defense, Makhachev found a submission to win the fight and successfully retain his belt, causing a post-fight reaction from Jon Anik on X/Twitter.

Anik tweeted:

“In all his exhaustion, Islam Makhachev’s ability and will to produce that takedown and submission in Rd. 5 was one of the sickest things I’ve seen sitting cage-side. Good night to take the judges out of it, too. #UFC302”

Not typically one to fall prisoner of the moment or speak hyperbolically in hindsight, the comment from Anik is unequivocally high praise for the pound-for-pound no. 1 fighter in the world. Since Makhachev joined the promotion, Anik has called the majority of his 16 fights in the UFC, including all four fights of his current title reign.

Islam Makhachev’s Finishing Sequence at UFC 302

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In the final round of a competitive fight, Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier were both told by their respective corners to leave everything they had left in them in the cage. Both men obliged, meeting in the middle to continue where they left off but it would be Makhachev having his way as he had been for most of the night.

In their final clinch exchange, Makhachev shot for a takedown that was initially stuffed by the challenger. Holding onto the left leg of Poirier, the champion waited for his opponent to shift his balance before dropping down to complete an ankle-pick sweep to secure his fifth takedown.

Once on the ground, Makhachev used a guillotine choke submission to progress into the mounted position before transitioning to a D’Arce choke that he locked up. Poirier was forced to tap out but fell unconscious moments later as Makhachev’s cornermen rushed into the Octagon and mobbed their fighter in relief.

A Bonus-Winning Performance by Islam Makhachev

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In recognition of the championship effort displayed by both men in the UFC 302 main event, Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier received an additional paycheck for the event Fight of the Night honor. The Russian would be the recipient of two post-fight bonuses as he would additionally receive a Performance of the Night bonus for his fifth-round submission win.

Kevin Holland, who submitted Michal Oleksiejczuk with a first-round armbar two fights before the main event, received the other Performance of the Night bonus on the night.

The win would be the 14th consecutive for Makhachev, giving him the record for the longest win streak in UFC lightweight history and third overall in the promotion lineage. Poirier was open in claiming the fight may mark the final appearance of his career during fight week and stuck to that statement following the bout but remained non-committal in making a firm decision.

Also Read: Dana White Important Announcement Says “You’re ‘Nuts’ If You Think Islam Makhachev Is the Pound-For-Pound Best”-05/03/2024

About the Author

Jaren Kawada is a freelance sports writer from Indianapolis, Indiana by way of Honolulu, Hawaii with a strong passion for MMA and sports betting. Kawada has also written for Sportskeeda MMA, FanSided MMA, and BetSided as a combat sports analyst. Follow on X/Twitter at @jarenkawada1 or on Instagram at @kawadajaren.

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