Be prepared for a sizzling return to pay-per-view action! UFC 302 throws down on June 1st, 2024 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. This highly anticipated event is headlined by a lightweight championship clash between the reigning champ, Islam Makhachev, and the determined challenger, Dustin Poirier.
Lightweight Title Fight: Makhachev Looks to Defend
Islam Makhachev (32-1) steps into the octagon for his first title defense on American soil. The champion, known for his stifling grappling skills, will be looking to overpower Poirier and cement his reign at 155 pounds. Makhachev is riding a ten-fight winning streak, most recently defeating the former champion Alexander Volkanovski twice in 2023.
Poirier on a Mission for Lightweight Gold
Dustin Poirier (30-8, 1 NC) seeks redemption after falling short in previous championship bids against Khabib Nurmagomedov (Makhachev’s mentor) and Charles Oliveira. “The Diamond” is coming off a dominant knockout victory over Benoit Saint Denis and is hungry to finally wear the lightweight strap.
Intriguing Co-Main Event
The co-main event features a middleweight clash between fan favorites. Former champion Sean Strickland will be looking to get back on track after a loss to the current champ, Dricus du Plessis. His opponent, Paulo Costa, is known for his brutal knockout power and promises an explosive fight.
Don’t Miss the Prelims!
The undercard is stacked with exciting matchups across all weight divisions. Keep an eye out for fighters like Kevin Holland, Michal Oleksiejczuk, Jailton Almeida, and Alexandr Romanov who are all guaranteed to bring the heat.
UFC 302 promises a night of thrilling fights with championship implications on the line. Will Makhachev retain his title, or will Poirier finally become champion?
Event Starting Time & Date
The main event will start on Saturday, June 1st at 10:00 PM Eastern Time (ET).
Two future Hall-of-Famers will clash on Saturday night in the main event when the UFC heads back to Newark, New Jersey in United States.
The highly anticipated UFC 302 kicks off with its main event on Saturday, June 1st, setting the stage for a night of electrifying fights. Don’t miss a single punch as the action starts at 10:00 PM Eastern Time (ET).
US Time:
Main Card: 10pm ET / 7pm PT
Prelims: 8pm ET / 5pm PT
Early Prelims: 6:15pm ET / 3:15pm PT
Canada Time:
Main Card: 10pm ET / 7pm PT
Prelims: 8pm ET / 5pm PT
Early Prelims: 6:15pm ET / 3:15pm PT
Australian Time:
Main Card: 1pm AEST / 11am AWST (Sunday)
Prelims: 11am AEST / 9am AWST (Sunday)
Early Prelims: 8:15am AEST / 6am AWST (Sunday)
United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland
Main Card: 2am GMT (Sunday)
Prelims: 12am GMT (Sunday)
Early Prelims: 10:15pm GMT
What channel/stream is Makhachev vs. Poirier?
U.S: ESPN+ PPV
UK: TNT Sports Box Office, TNT Sports 1
Canada: DAZN
Australia: Foxtel & Kayo
Islam Makhachev Record & Bio
Date of birth: Oct. 27, 1991
Height: 5’10”
Reach: 70″
Total fights: 26
Record: 25-1-0
Dustin Poirier Record & Bio
Nationality: American
Date of birth: Jan. 19, 1989
Height: 5′ 9″
Reach: 72″
Total fights: 38
Record: (30-8-0
MAIN CARD
Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier; For Makhachev’s UFC lightweight title
Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa
Kevin Holland vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
Jailton Almeida vs. Alexandr Romanov
Randy Brown vs. Elizeu dos Santos
PRELIM
Cesar Almeida vs. Roman Kopylov
Grant Dawson vs. Joe Solecki
Philip Rowe vs. Jake Matthews
Niko Price vs. Alex Morono
FIGHT PASS PRELIM
Mickey Gall vs. Bassil Hafez
Ailin Perez vs. Joselyne Edwards
Nyamjargal Tumendemberel vs. Andre Lima
Islam Makhachev confirms Khabib Nurmagomedov will be back in his corner at UFC 302
While Nurmagomedov has been in New Jersey for the entirety of Makhachev’s training camp, fans were unsure if he would fill a spot in the corner on fight night. Last year he announced that he would be leaving the sport entirely in order to spend more time with his famiy.
And while he stayed training he was notable in his absence from the two fights between Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski last year. However, in a video today, his teammate confirmed that he will be back in the corner for this fight.
“Eagle has landed in Jersey City,” Makhachev told UFC cameras during the ceremonial poster signing session. “He’s going to be in my corner. Honestly, I’m very happy because he’s one of the best corner coaches, brother, friend. That’s it.”
Prediction About Makhachev VS Poirier
While I can’t predict the future, here’s a breakdown of the upcoming fight between Makhachev and Poirier to help you form your own opinion:
Makhachev’s Advantages:
- Dominant Grappling: Makhachev is known for his stifling wrestling and suffocating ground control. He’ll likely look to take Poirier down and control the fight on the mat.
- Strong Stamina: Makhachev has incredible cardio and can maintain a high pace throughout the fight, potentially wearing down Poirier.
- Momentum: Riding a ten-fight winning streak, Makhachev is brimming with confidence.
Poirier’s Advantages:
- Knockout Power: Poirier possesses devastating striking ability and can end the fight with one clean punch.
- Experience in Big Fights: Poirier has competed against the best in the lightweight division and has the experience of fighting for the title on multiple occasions.
- Improved Takedown Defense: Poirier has been working hard on his takedown defense, which could be crucial in keeping the fight standing.
The X-Factor:
- Can Poirier avoid the takedown? If Poirier can keep the fight standing, he has a real chance of knocking out Makhachev. However, if Makhachev gets him to the ground, it could be a long night for Poirier.
Overall:
This is a very interesting matchup with clear strengths on both sides. Many experts favor Makhachev due to his grappling prowess, but Poirier’s knockout power can’t be ignored. Ultimately, the outcome will likely depend on whether Poirier can defend the takedown and keep the fight on his feet.
