Nate Diaz was not enthused with the action at UFC 302.
Returning to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the promotion delivered a dozen fights headlined by a lightweight title scrap between reigning champion Islam Makhachev and division fan favorite Dustin Poirier.
While there were a few bright spots, including Kevin Holland’s horrifying technical submission victory over Michał Oleksiejczuk, nine of the 12 bouts ended in decision — three split and six unanimous. Even Sean Strickland acknowledged that his five-round scrap with Paulo Costa left a lot to be desired.
“It was a boring fight, I’m sorry guys,” Strickland admitted after the fact. “That Brazilian goes backward fast, I’m not known for being athletic.”
Taking to social media, former UFC star Nate Diaz was in agreement, giving his brutally honest opinion of the action in The Garden State.
“Those fights were fukn boring,” Diaz wrote on X.
Despite some lackluster fights, UFC 302 delivered a handful of exciting finishes
Though things look less-than-stellar on paper, it wasn’t all bad. Jailton Almeida climbed back into the win column with a quick first-round rear-naked choke submission over Alexandr Romanov. And in the main event of the evening, Islam Makhachev put away Poirier via a darce after four-and-a-half rounds of action that left both fighters battered and bloody.
Of course, the highlight of the night went to Holland who slapped on a slick armbar seconds after getting rocked in his main card clash with Oleksiejczuk. Despite being unable to escape the hold, ‘Hussar’ refused to tap out, prompting Holland to snap his arm. That ultimately forced referee Herb Dean to step in and call for the stoppage 94 seconds into the contest.
As long as Jon Jones is around, Islam Makhachev will never be the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
That’s according to Dana White, who made his feelings about Makhachev’s spot at the top of the P4P rankings abundantly clear, even after the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ dispatched one of the greatest lightweights of all time at UFC 302 on Saturday night.
“I think he’s one of the greats of all time,” White said when asked about Makhachev’s spot at the top of the P4P rankings during the post-fight press event. “I think he’s incredible. I don’t think he’s the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. For anybody to call Islam Makhachev the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world with Jon Jones is still f*cking fighting is nuts. Shouldn’t be ranking in the pound for pound or doing any rankings ever.
“Jon Jones has never lost a fight ever and he’s fought all the baddest dudes in the world. And then when you think about what pound-for-pound rankings really mean, he moved up to heavyweight and destroyed the best guy in the world. As long as Jones is still fighting, active, and in the rankings, nobody [else] is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.”
“When you think about what pound-for-pound really means… [Makhachev] fought Volkanovksi who’s a weight class lower than him,” White continued. “Jon Jones beat everybody at light heavyweight and then beat the best heavyweight in the division like it was nothing. Jon Jones with the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and probably the greatest fighter of all time in any sport.”
Maybe White will change his mind if Makhachev moves up and scores himself a second strap.
Is Dana White Right about Jon Jones?
It’s hard to argue with White’s statement, even if your feelings on Jones are clouded by his many unsavory antics outside of the Octagon.
Though ‘Bones’ is regularly touted as being undefeated, he does carry a single loss on his record which came as the result of an absolutely ridiculous disqualification in 2009. Makhachev’s one loss, on the other hand, was the result of a nasty first-round knockout against Adriano Martins — a fighter who exited the promotion a year later.
Jones also spent the majority of his career defending his light heavyweight title against every legend and top-ranked contender the promotion threw at him. Meanwhile, Makhachev just now put his gold on the line against a legit lightweight after back-to-back bouts against former 145-pound champ Alexander Volkanovski.
Do you agree with Dana White’s assessment of the pound-for-pound rankings, or do you believe Islam Makhachev is right where he belongs at the top of the list?
Screw 170, Belal Muhammad thinks Islam Makhachev could jump straight up to middleweight if he wants to add a second strap to his collection.
As Makhachev steps into the Octagon for his third defense of the lightweight world title at UFC 302, Muhammad is preparing to embark on his own journey toward UFC gold. On July 27, ‘Remember The Name’ will head to Manchester for a clash with current welterweight champ Leon Edwards.
Though Makhachev is focused on getting past Poirier on Saturday (June 1), the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ has openly spoken of his desire to challenge for the welterweight title in a bid to become a two-division champion. Should he dispatch ‘The Diamond’ in The Garden State, that could very well be his next step.
That could leave Belal Muhammad feeling a little uneasy as he prepares to compete for the 170-pound crown. However,’ Remember The Name’ rest easy knowing that even if he’s successful in his first title bid at UFC 304, Makhachev’s path to champ-champ status won’t go through him.
“I would never fight him, 100 percent,” Muhammad told MMA Fighting. “But honestly, he could go up to 185 and beat [Dricus] du Plessis right now. I think he’s that good, really. I think he could go up there and be that two-division champ. Skip over 170 for a little bit, let me beat a couple of these younger guys, and then I’ll go up to 185.”
Belal Muhammad believes makhachev will be dominating for years to come
Unlike his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, who bailed after just three lightweight title defenses, Islam Mahhachev plans on becoming the most dominant champion in the history of the sport — a task Belal Muhammad truly believes the Dagestani can achieve in due time.
“He has plenty of time,” Muhammad said of Makhachev. “He’s dominating his fights. He’s winning easily. I think he’s going to continue on that path of just being a dominant champion. He’s got plenty of years left. He said something about it recently in an interview, saying, ‘I’m still hungry, I’m still here.’ So he’s got a long time to go.”
In Conor McGregor’s house, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
On Saturday, June 29, the Irish megastar will return to the Octagon for the first time in nearly three years when he squares off with former Bellator champion Michael Chandler in the UFC 303 headliner.
McGregor, of course, is inarguably the biggest name in mixed martial arts history, becoming the first fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously and subsequently pushing the sport into previously uncharted territory — not to mention being responsible for eight of the 10 highest-grossing pay-per-views in promotional history.
Recently, the MMA icon and proud father shared a video of his son, Conor McGregor Jr., earning his first stripe in BJJ.
“My son @conormcgregorjr getting the first stripe on his jiu jitsu belt at @sbgireland and the @ufc are already here with their team and big cameras on a scouting mission haha,” McGregor wrote on Instagram.
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Conor Jr. was the first of the Irishman’s four children with longtime fiancee Dee Devlin, having been born in 2017. Two years later they welcomed their daughter Croía followed by Rian in 2021 and Mack in 2023.
During an appearance on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show following the birth of Conor Jr., ‘Mystic Mac’ said: “I’m very proud and very blessed every day because the birth of my son has made me softer where I need to soften up. I’m overcome with joy and love. I never thought I would be that way.”
Perhaps we’ll one day see Conor McGregor Jr. step inside the Octagon and continue the legacy of his legendary father.
Conor McGregor Will go face-to-face with Michael Chandler at Dublin’s 3Arena
Before McGregor goes toe-to-toe with Michael Chandler during this year’s International Fight Week in Las Vegas, he’ll go face-to-face with his opponent inside Dublin’s iconic 3Arena on Monday, June 3 for a pre-fight press conference.
McGregor has only fought once inside the 3Arena — earning a first-round finish against Diego Brandao in 2013. However, it was the site of the infamous press event ahead of his history-making clash with Jose Aldo.
Recent promotional debutante, Michael Venom Page has plans to turn in a “spectacular” finish over the unbeaten, Ian Garry at UFC 303 at the end of next month, claiming he will leave the Dublin striker “sleeping” when they share the Octagon during International Fight Week.
Venom Page, a former Bellator MMA welterweight title challenger, made his long-anticipated bow in the Octagon back in March, turning in a one-sided unanimous decision win over Riverside contender, Kevin Holland in his first organization clash.
As for Garry, the unbeaten Portmarnock striker has been sidelined since the month prior, remaining undefeated in a split decision win over Geoff Neal at UFC 298 in February.
Michael Venom Page Plans vows to KO the unbeaten Ian Garry
And slated to meet next month in the co-main event of UFC 303, Venom Page takes on Garry in a high-stakes pairing at the welterweight limit, vowing to hand the Dubliner his first professional loss – in devastating fashion to boot.
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC
“The game plan is pretty straightforward if I’m being honest,” Michael Venom Page told Michael Bisping during a recent interview. “And I don’t think it does anything for him (Ian Garry) even if he heard this: piling on a lot of pressure, because he doesn’t seem to work well off his back foot. And he will feel that pressure, mixed with that frustration. And it’s gonna make him – some point in that fight, dart forward at the wrong moment.”
“And that’s when something big happens,” Michael Venom Page explained. “I’m drilling quite a few things, that if any one of those lands – nobody’s gonna be talking about the Conor (McGregor) fight [against Michael Chandler in the main event]. [Garry will be] sleeping, good night.”
Who wins next month at UFC 303: Michael Venom Page or Ian Garry?
There’s likely nothing in the contract for Dustin Poirier’s UFC 302 fight that explicitly states it will be his last-ever chance at a world championship. However, the fact that Saturday will be his final chance to become the division’s top name when he faces Islam Makhachev has felt like an unwritten rule ever since their matchup was revealed.
In what will be his 31st UFC appearance, 35-year-old Dustin Poirier will be trying to become undisputed champ for a third time. When given those numbers, it’s hard to wonder how much is left in his career.
At least, Poirier is having those thoughts. In the lead-up to his fight this weekend, he told CBS Sports that he’s seriously considering calling it quits soon: “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.”
His recent comments made it clearer than ever that this weekend is Dustin Poirier’s final chance at the lightweight title. Even if there was a world where he could find a fourth pathway to a title, he doesn’t want to walk that route.
Now knowing what Poirier feels on the inside, we’re set up for a dramatic storyline this weekend. It’s no longer an open secret that it’s his last chance, we know it is. Saturday is truly a do or die situation for Poirier to prove that he’s one of the best. But amid all of the hype and drama that will emerge this weekend, it’s important to remember that win or lose, Poirier has already proven enough to be considered a legendary fighter.
Dustin poirier’s Longevity At The Top
When looking at Poirier’s career, it feels like an undisputed championship run is the one thing he hasn’t truly tackled. Other than the elusive undisputed champ status, Poirier has stacked his career full of big moments.
While there isn’t any gold to put to his name (unless you count a brief interim title run), Dustin Poirier has easily been one of the most dominant forces in the lightweight division for a decade. While many top names have come and gone, Poirier has not only stayed active but remained among the best.
Dustin Poirier was just 21 years old when he joined the UFC roster. The Louisiana-born and raised fighter very much grew up in the cage, with his amateur days dating back to when he had just turned 18. Before even hitting what you could consider the prime of his career, Poirier had made a living fighting at featherweight, a division rarely associated with him nowadays. Those who only started following the sport in the mid-2010s amid the popularity of Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey—myself included—likely wouldn’t have any recollection of this time in his career.
While he had high-profile fights, like a 2012 main event loss to The Korean Zombie, a main event fight the next year against Cub Swanson and a meeting across McGregor in 2014, Dustin Poirier didn’t ever fight for a title in the division and wasn’t making headlines in the ways that more stand-out talents were at that time.
Following his loss to McGregor in 2014, a finish loss that lasted just under two minutes, he made the move up to lightweight. He had already fought 11 times in the promotion by this point, or four years in total. According to internal calculations made by the UFC around this time, this would have made him surpass and nearly double the average length of a career in the promotion, which they had pinned at 2.46 years overall from 1993 to 2014.
Chasing Greatness At Lightweight
Credit: Getty Images
After his UFC run had already out-lived many of his peers, Poirier was actually just getting started. Lightweight ended up being the division where he put together his best performances and most high-profile wins, getting him near the title picture on numerous instances.
Things got off to a strong start when he took just one loss through 11 appearances in the division. After main event finish wins over Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje (a past undisputed and interim champ respectively), he was given a shot to face featherweight champ Max Holloway for an interim lightweight title.
Poirier went five rounds against the striking aficionado to capture the belt and win via unanimous decision. Poirier beat Holloway where he is at his best, getting a jump on the talented knockdown artist in the early rounds with clean combinations. Holloway unsurprisingly made the fight close, but not narrow enough for many to consider him victorious.
Holloway had built up an untouchable image heading into that fight, putting together 14 consecutive wins that grew in importance. After stopping legend Jose Aldo twice, he out-gutted Brian Ortega in a stand-up war to defend his belt once again.
While there will always be ways that people take things away from that fight, notably that Holloway had moved up a weight class and that the bout was actually for an interim title instead of the real deal, it’s still certainly a huge victory arguably the biggest of Dustin Poirier’s career. He took out one of the best while they were at their peak, and did so elegantly.
Over the next few years, Poirier would struggle against the absolute best and style on anyone below that level. He lost fights to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, and Justin Gaethje, three names you could basically define a division’s entire era with. But against a past-prime Conor McGregor or a rising contender like Benoit Saint-Denis, he would put on a show. Dustin Poirier was a main event draw during this time, with his duo of non-title fight appearances against McGregor both headlining pay-per-view cards.
A Perfect Ending Isn’t Necessary
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC
Just to list the absolute cliff notes of Poirier’s career, you need about 500 words. Poirier has accomplished a lot and left a print on the UFC’s history that even some champs likely won’t leave. Knowing the ins and outs of his career begs the question: How much does he even really need that belt?
It’s obvious that Poirier earning the title would be the best ending possible for his career. Dustin Poirier clearly sees earning the title as a way to complete his run as a fighter and show how great he truly is. He has used the phrase “finish the story” recently, a line that WWE’s Cody Rhodes used to illustrate a lengthy career arc that culminated with him sitting atop the world of professional wrestling.
But wrestling has the privilege to actually choose how stories end. WWE decided that Rhodes would get to reach the top of the mountain, but Poirier isn’t afforded the same luxury. Anything could happen at UFC 302, and oddsmakers seem inclined to think that the night will end with Makhachev still possessing the 155-pound division’s gold.
A championship belt is what everyone is after in MMA, but it’s not the singular litmus test for greatness. Many top names, including champs, can’t say that they have had the career longevity of Dustin Poirier. Few can get one title shot, come back from a loss to earn another, and then do it yet again. Dustin Poirier has just one thing left to prove in the sport, which means he’s proven way more than almost all of his colleagues.
Dustin Poirier’s story could have the perfect ending. But even if it doesn’t, he’s told a hell of a story.
Islam Makhachev is confident he can beat Leon Edwards.
On Saturday night, June 1, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ will put his lightweight world title on the line in the UFC 302 main event against division fan favorite Dustin Poirier. Should Makhachev leave The Garden State with his title intact, he has his sights set on champ-champ status.
During an interview with UFC Hall of Famer and friend Daniel Cormier, Makhachev spoke about the possibility of stepping inside the Octagon with current welterweight champion Leon Edwards in a bid to add a second belt to his collection. During the conversation, Makhachev dished details on a sparring session that went down between himself and ‘Rocky.’
“I know I can be double champion.” Makhachev said. “I can beat Edwards. I’ve known his name from my first day in the U.S. I know him. No [he didn’t give my any problems], it was my first sparring session in the U.S. Now people understand [Cormier] lies. My first sparring session in the U.S. was Leon.”
He continued, “…I knew, I couldn’t lose first sparring in the cage. When time began, I went double-leg and took him down. But at that time, he wasn’t a good wrestler. He came to [AKA] to learn. Maybe right now he’s good at wrestling and can defend. But at that time, his big [struggle] was wrestling. I took him down, and I held him.”
Islam Makhachev was offered the chance to fight Leon Edwards at UFC 300
Islam Makhachev was offered the opportunity to challenge Leon Edwards for the 170-pound title in the UFC 300 headliner, but ultimately declined as the event went down just days after the conclusion of Ramadan.
“It’s not possible, man,” Makhachev told MMA Junkie when asked if the UFC proposed a fight against Edwards. “Because we have Ramadan now. One month with fasting, and it’s not possible to do training in Ramadan. It’s very hard. You have to fast when the sun rises, and all day you have to fast. … Training this time is very hard.”
Instead, Makhachev was paired up with Dustin Poirier for UFC 302 leaving Leon Edwards to tend to his division’s No. 1 ranked contender — Belal Muhammad.
Remember The Name’ will finally earn his shot as Edwards is set to put his gold on the line against Muhammad at UFC 304 in Manchester, England on July 27. It will be Edwards’ first defense since scoring a lopsided victory over Colby Covington at UFC 296 last December.
Islam Makhachev is more than happy to fight Conor McGregor, but he doesn’t want to do it inside the Octagon.
On June 1, the reigning lightweight world champion will put his 155-pound title on the line when he steps into the main event spotlight at UFC 302 in New Jersey for a showdown with division fan favorite Dustin Poirier. Ahead of his third defense, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ has been making the rounds, offering his thoughts on the new UFC gloves and celebrating 50 clean drug tests.
Along the way, Makhachev also addressed the ongoing rivalry with Irish megastar Conor McGregor. Recently, ‘Mystic Mac’ made some pretty disparaging remarks about Makhachev and his team, prompting the Dagestani to snap back.
In an interview with ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, Makhachev suggested that instead of a one-on-one fight with McGregor in the cage, they could each bring their teams and have a good old-fashioned Anchorman-style street brawl.
“I want when we meet [Conor McGregor’s] team, and we all team, in the street somewhere, and we have good fights,” Makhachev said. “You know, because we all have many, many big experiences in the street. We just want to meet them and finish all talks, team vs. team. It’s going to be more interesting. Because already Khabib beat him in the cage, beat his corner. But team vs. team, maybe we can make ‘Ultimate Fighter.’”
Perhaps the UFC could take a page of out DAZN’s book and put together their own 5 vs. 5 event on pay-per-view.
Conor McGregor Returns to the Octagon Four Weeks After Islam Makhachev’s latest title defense
As Makhachev marches toward his title tilt with ‘The Diamond,’ Conor McGregor has been dancing the night away in preparation for his upcoming clash with former Bellator MMA champion ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler on Saturday, June 29.
It will be McGregor’s first time competing since suffering a nasty leg injury during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirer in July 2021. In the years since, McGregor has stayed in the spotlight, regularly calling out fighters he’ll never compete with, buying into Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, and making his feature film debut in a remake of the 1989 action classic Road House.
Initially, McGregor was listed as a -115 favorite on DraftKings, but with the Irishman’s recent late-night outing, fans appear to be losing faith. Currently, the former two-division champ is sitting at -102 compared to Chandler who is now a slight favorite at -118.
Will those odds continue to widen as we march closer to International Fight Week?
Just days out from their undisputed lightweight title fight this weekend at UFC 302, incumbent kingpin, Islam Makhachev has reminded challenger, Dustin Poirier that he has the ability to make their clash look “easy” in New Jersey.
Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight titleholder and pound-for-pound number one under the promotion’s banner, returns for the first time since last October, as he takes on Poirier in this weekend’s headliner at UFC 302.
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC
Attempting to rack up his third successful defense of his 155lbs throne, Makhachev has so-far lodged both decision and stoppage wins over Alexander Volkanovski, respectively, during his reign in the division.
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC
As for Lafayette native, Poirier, the former interim gold holder will hope to make it third time lucky in his quest for an undisputed title, as he takes on Makhachev in Newark this weekend.
Earning his shot at spoils as recently as March, Poirier – who has weighed up the possibility of retirement regardless of result at UFC 302, turned in a blistering second round knockout win over Benoit Saint Denis.
And following the immediate booking of their clash at the Prudential Center, Makhachev claimed he had the tools to turn in an “easy” triumph against Poirier.
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC
Islam Makhachev claims Dustin Poirier has no belief ahead of UFC 302
And ahead of Saturday, Makhachev – who confirmed he would be backed by Poirier’s former-foe, Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner for UFC 302, echoed that sentiments, pointing to an apparent mistake the Louisianan seems to always make against similar foes.
“Honestly, he’s (Dustin Poirier) the same [fighter that faced Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2019],” Islam Makhachev said during his media availability ahead of UFC 302. “Maybe [he’s older]. He doesn’t believe he can beat me. His coach doesn’t believe he can beat me. I know I can make this fight easy.
“I will finish him,” Islam Makhachev explained. “Because I am on a different level. I am the best fighter in the world right now. …I can strike with him, but I told you guys, if I want to make this fight easy, I know the way and everybody [else] know the way. Always when his opponent pressure him, take him down, he has the same problems always.”
Who wins at UFC 302 this weekend: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?
Fans hopeful of landing a coveted ticket to next week’s UFC 303 press conference in Dublin had to act fast this morning on Ticketmaster, with a reported 8,000 tickets snapped up in less than five minutes ahead of Conor McGregor’s return against Michael Chandler.
Earlier this month, following the confirmation of McGregor’s return from an almost three-year hiatus was confirmed for UFC 303 at the end of June in a welterweight clash with Chandler, the promotion revealed a press conference between the two was set to land in Dublin on Monday of next week.
UFC 303 presser ‘sells out’ in less than 5 minutes
And seating 8,000 fans at the 3Arena on the capital’s North Wall Quays, tickets were up for grabs – for free online this morning on Ticketmaster, with fans queuing and waiting for snatch up their place in the crowd.
However, amid uproar on social media, hosts of fans were left disappointed with all 8,000 tickets for the press event in Dublin snapped up in less than five minutes.
It took less than 5 minutes for the Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler #UFC303 press conference tickets to be sold out.
The tickets were free of charge and limited to 2 per person.
Many fans left wanting, unfortunately.
It’s going to be a rowdy atmosphere in 3Arena on Monday. pic.twitter.com/MJTSbStTN3
— Andy Stevenson (@andyste123) May 29, 2024
Furthermore, despite the fact tickets were free to the general public, an array of touts and scalpers were offering tickets – for prices in the region of $ 1,000. (H/T MMA Mania)
Mandatory Credit: Stacy Revere
Slated to make his return to the Octagon for the first time since fracturing his left tibia and fibula back in 2021, former two-weight champion, McGregor dropped a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO defeat to incoming UFC 302 headliner, Dustin Poirier in the pair’s trilogy rubber match.
As for Chandler, the former three-time undisputed Bellator MMA lightweight kingpin has hismelf been out of action since he dropped a third round rear-naked choke loss to the above-mentioned, Poirier back in 2021 at Madison Square Garden.
Who do you think wins at UFC 303: Conor McGregor or Michael Chandler?
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