Islam Makhachev will defend his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 302 tonight, as the “Diamond” gets one last shot at undisputed gold.
Poirier, a veteran and fan favourite, previously held the interim belt but has twice failed to win the official lightweight title. In 2019, the American was submitted by then-champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, and in 2021, Poirier lost a title fight against Charles Oliveira – again losing via submission.
As such, Poirier has admitted that he could retire after UFC 302, regardless of his result against Makhachev, who is a mentee and childhood friend of Khabib. In fact, Nurmagomedov will be in Makhachev’s corner in New Jersey, as the champion seeks a third successful title defence.
Makhachev, the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1, won the title by submitting Oliveira in 2022, and the Russian retained the belt twice in 2022 – beating Alexander Volkanovski both times. Volkanovski, who was featherweight champion at the time, lost to Makhachev on points then by knockout.
In tonight’s co-main event, ex-middleweight champion Sean Strickland faces former No 1 contender Paulo Costa. Their clash, like the main event, is scheduled for five rounds. Follow UFC 302 live updates and results below.
UFC 302 LIVE: Makhachev tops pound-for-pound rankings
Islam Makhachev is the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1 fighter – and he’s ours, too.
Alex Pattle2 June 2024 00:15
UFC 302 LIVE: New gloves to debut in New Jersey tonight
The UFC’s new gloves will debut tonight, with an updated design intended to produce eye pokes.
There will even be gold versions for Makhachev and Poirier in the main event.
But not every fighter is happy with the new gloves…
Alex Pattle2 June 2024 00:00
UFC 302: Khabib returns to coach Makhachev against familiar foe Poirier
Khabib Nurmagomedov will be in Makhachev’s corner this evening, coaching his childhood friend against Poirier.
Makhachev is seeking a third successful lightweight title defence, which would see the Russian match his childhood friend Khabib, who retained the belt three times before retiring undefeated and as champion in 2020.
“This means a lot,” Makhachev said. “This is like [adding] to striking 20 per cent, to wrestling 20 per cent, to the plan. It’s always great to have Khabib in the corner, because I think he gives me good advice in a lot of fights.”
More from Makhachev here:
Alex Pattle1 June 2024 23:45
UFC 302 LIVE: Makhachev takes issue with Poirier insult at face-off
“I don’t understand you,” Poirier told Makhachev on Thursday, after failing to hear what the Russian said at the start of their face-off. “I’m gonna knock you out Saturday. I’m gonna sleep-slap you.
“You’re gonna be diving for my legs, praying. You’re gonna be laying and praying, that’s what you’re gonna be doing. You’re going to sleep, motherf****r.”
Makhachev took issue with Poirier’s final insult, saying: “Don’t say ‘motherf****r’.” When Poirier repeated the word, Makhachev reiterated: “Don’t say ‘motherf****r’.”
As Makhachev was held back by security, Poirier said: “I have respect for you, brother. We’re gonna fight.”
Alex Pattle1 June 2024 23:30
UFC 302 LIVE: Poirier teases retirement after Makhachev fight – win or lose
Whether he wins or loses tonight, this could be Dustin Poirier’s last dance.
“I’m not going to climb the ladder again,” he told CBS last week. “I’ve been doing this a long time.
“It’s a very selfish sport. I’m ready to be a father and be a husband and be home and be into a routine. I wouldn’t say I can’t do it again; I can do it again, it’s just…
“This is it for me. This could be the last one. I’m still on the fence, win or lose. I just want to be content with my career. It’s a thing where I have to digest it and be okay with it [if I lose], because that’s how life goes.
“Of course, I’m looking at the brighter side and trying to be positive that I’m going to finish the story and seal the deal and become undisputed lightweight champ after my 31st fight in the UFC. What a story that would be.”
Alex Pattle1 June 2024 23:22
UFC 302 LIVE: Sean Strickland Paulo Costa clash in co-main event
Can Sean Strickland (left) bounce back from his title loss to Dricus Du Plessis in January?
It was a narrow decision defeat for the American, who now faces former title challenger Paulo Costa (right).
Costa is coming off a slim points loss to ex-champion Robert Whittaker, who bounced back from his own (surprise) loss to Du Plessis by overcoming Costa in February.
This one is scheduled for five rounds, which most fans and pundits believe favours Strickland, who thus far has shown a superior gas taken to his Brazilian foe.
Alex Pattle1 June 2024 23:15
UFC 302 LIVE: Main and co-main event odds
Makhachev – 2/11; Poirier – 4/1
Strickland – 4/9; Costa – 7/4
Alex Pattle1 June 2024 23:00
UFC 302 LIVE: Prelims and main card
Islam Makhachev (C) vs Dustin Poirier (lightweight title)
Sean Strickland vs Paulo Costa (middleweight – five rounds)
Kevin Holland vs Michal Oleksiejczuk (middleweight)
Niko Price vs Alex Morono (welterweight)
Randy Brown vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (welterweight)
Prelims – Indy Sport’s live updates begin
Cesar Almeida vs Roman Kopylov (middleweight)
Jailton Almeida vs Alexandr Romanov (heavyweight)
Grant Dawson vs Joe Solecki (lightweight)
Phil Rowe vs Jake Matthews (middleweight)
Mickey Gall vs Bassil Hafez (welterweight)
Ailin Perez vs Joselyne Edwards (women’s bantamweight)
Mitch Raposo vs Andre Lima (flyweight)
Alex Pattle1 June 2024 22:45
UFC 302 LIVE: Poirier vs Makhachev streaming info
The card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. Discovery+ will also air the action in the UK. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the event live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass.
Alex Pattle1 June 2024 22:30
UFC 302 LIVE: Poirier vs Makhachev start time
UFC 302 will take place at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.
The early prelims are due to begin at 11.15pm BST (3.15pm PT / 5.15pm CT / 6.15pm ET), with the regular prelims following at 1am BST on Sunday 2 June (5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET on Saturday). This is when our live updates will begin.
The main card is then due at 3am BST on Sunday (7pm PT / 9pm CT / 10pm ET on Saturday).
Alex Pattle1 June 2024 22:15
