Dustin Poirier Reveals Torn ACL, Injuries Suffered in UFC 302 Loss to Islam Makhachev | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Isabella Ramos
Published Mar 25, 2026
Dustin Poirier fought hard in a losing effort against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 302 this past Saturday, and he revealed just how many injuries he had to overcome during the bout.
Poirier posted on social media that he suffered a partially torn ACL, a broken nose and a broken rib in the contest against Makhachev, which ended in a fifth-round submission loss:
The Diamond @DustinPoirierNose is broken bad, rib is broken and my ACL is partially torn.<br><br>FIGHT LIFE ⚔️
The 35-year-old appeared to injure his knee during a takedown attempt by Makhachev in the third round of Saturday's main event.
Poirier continued to fight through it and found some success in the fourth round, cutting Makhachev with an elbow. However, the champion showed his resiliency by securing a takedown in the fifth round and locking up a D'Arce Choke.
The American admitted in his post-fight interview that Saturday's defeat could be his last fight in the UFC, as it was his third time coming up short for the lightweight championship. After returning to his hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana, on Tuesday, he said he's still evaluating his future.
"I've been fighting a long time, man. It's been almost 18 years nonstop, 50 fights, a few world title fights," he said. "I've fought the best of my generation, and I've just got to decompress and see what's next."
Despite not winning a title in his career, he is still regarded as a legend of MMA and a fan favorite. He's been known for putting on exciting fights that are often back-and-forth wars, but he could now be ready to hang up his gloves.
Regardless of his decision, Poirier will be sidelined for some time while he recovers from his injuries.
