While Dustin Poirier didn't officially retire in the Octagon, he was ultimately unsuccessful in what could be his final fight in his MMA career. Poirier came up short against Islam Makhachev, who retained the UFC lightweight championship in the main event of UFC 302.

Makhachev got to business right away, landing a combination early before scoring a takedown. Makhachev, with control on the ground, attempted a kimura, and when Poirier looked to roll away, Makhachev transitioned into a rear-naked choke attempt. Poirier survived the round.

Makhachev attempted to secure the choke again, though Poirier managed to escape his grasp when he attempted to transition into full mount, making it a striking battle on the feet again.

Makhachev's grappling pressure was getting to Poirier, who appeared to have hurt his leg, in the fourth. But when Poirier brought the fight back to the feet, Poirier started to find success with body shots.

But Makhachev got things back down to the ground in the fifth and locked in a D'Arce choke to secure the submission win.

Poirier ultimately did not leave his gloves in the Octagon but admitted that fighting "just to fight" isn't enough for him to continue on.

Fans Pay Tribute To Dustin Poirier After UFC 302 Showing

Makhachev had made two successful defenses of the UFC lightweight championship prior to tonight. Makhachev bested Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 and again, on short notice, at UFC 294. Makhachev had claimed the lightweight title with a win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 280.

Poirier earned tonight's title shot off a win over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299. The former interim lightweight champion had two previous challenges for the lightweight title, coming up short against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 and Oliveira at UFC 269.