Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) notched his third title defense when he submitted Poirier in Round 5 at UFC 302 in June. Makhachev, who’s dominated most of his opposition throughout his career, was surprised with how competitive “The Diamond” made things.

Ultimately, that's a sign of just how magnificent the pound-for-pound great Makhachev has been. Although some previous Makhachev foes like Tsarukyan — or Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 — have offered resistance,