The Russian then revealed his ambition to move up to welterweight in an attempt to become a two-division champion.

“It’s my dream. I want to fight for the second belt. I want to feel that energy again, I need a new one,” said Makhachev.

Poirier paid tribute to his family as contemplates the decision to put down his gloves.

“I’m not 100% but if this is my last fight, I want to dedicate this fight to the people who made me the man I am and that’s the women in my life,” said Poirier.

“To my grandmother, I miss you every day. To my mother, we’ve had a crazy life, I love you. To my wife, I don’t know if I’d be standing here without you. And to my daughter, I love you so much, always chase your dreams, it’s a beautiful thing.”

In the co-main event, American Sean Strickland beat Brazilian middleweight Paulo Costa by split decision.

Former champion Strickland, 33, put his customary pressure on Costa throughout the five-round fight with Costa, 33, backing up throughout the majority of the contest.

Following the bout, Strickland called for a title fight against South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis, who he suffered defeat by for the belt last year.

Du Plessis is speculated to be making the first defence of his championship against Israel Adesanya later in the year.