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Former interim lightweight titleholder Dustin Poirier believes that him getting a UFC 302 title shot against champion Islam Makhachev was ‘serendipity,’ and he may be right.

When UFC 300 took place on April 13, Poirier was sitting fourth in the rankings and several lightweight contenders were competing on the historic fight card.  Former champion Charles Oliveira could have secured a rematch with Makhachev but was defeated by current top contender Arman Tsarukyan.  Justin Gaethje also could have locked in a title shot but he was knocked out by Max Holloway in the UFC 300 ‘BMF’ bout.  

Two contenders ranked ahead of Poirier lost at UFC 300, but he wasn’t the first fighter offered the title bout.  UFC matchmakers offered Tsarukyan the UFC 302 main event slot against Makhachev but Tsarukyan turned down the proposal.  That’s when Poirier received the call from the fight promotion.  

“For me, waking up everyday, I just feel grateful.  It’s serendipity.  Things just worked out the way they worked out for me to go out there and fight for the world title again in New Jersey on Lafayette Street,” Poirier said on The MMA Hour.

Poirier is from Lafayette, Louisiana.  He believes the stars are aligning for him to capture the title on June 1.  “I’m going to be the world champion,” he said.

In Interviews promoting the event, Makhachev has made statements that have some in Poirier’s camp wondering if the champion is underestimating him. Makhachev called Poirier ‘an easy fight,’ and that didn’t sit well with “The Diamond.” 

Related: Ian Garry promises to ‘slap the mouth off’ Colby Covington within one round

“I haven’t really been keeping up a whole lot, but when I was at the gym Mike Brown told me, he said, ‘man, I think this guy might be underestimating your jiu-jitsu and underestimating how dangerous you are.’  I think what he’s referring to is the interview of Islam saying, ‘This is an easy fight for me.’  I was tagged on a bunch of stuff on Instagram and Twitter,” explained Poirier.

“I don’t know.  Maybe he goes about all fights like that, but I can finish and beat anybody at 155 pounds in the world.  I really believe that, and he doesn’t have to believe it.  I’m the one that has to believe it and I’m the one that has to go out there and beat his ass.  I can do that,” Poirier said.  “I’m going to put my hands on this guy.  I’m coming in there to hurt him.  This is my last shot.  Mom’s spaghetti.  Let’s go.”  

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The UFC will return to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Aug. 3 with UFC Fight Night 246.  The event is headlined by a bantamweight bout between second-ranked Cory Sandhagen and ninth-ranked Umar Nurmagomedov.  UFC officials announced the event and the headliner on Monday.

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Sandhagen (17-4) has won his last three fights and defeated Rob Font via unanimous decision in his last outing.  In his two previous bouts, Sandhagen defeated recent title challenger Marlon Vera and Song Yadong.  “The Sandman” will be looking to secure a title shot and extend his winning streak when he faces Nurmagomedov at Etihad Arena.

Nurmagomedov (17-0) is undefeated and ranked ninth in the 135-pound weight class.  A win over Sandhagen would put Nurmagomedov in line to fight to the title and face the winner of Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili who are rumored to be headlining the UFC 306 fight card at The Sphere in Las Vegas on Sept. 14.

Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov were scheduled to meet in the UFC on ESPN 50 main event last August in Nashville, but Nurmagomedov was forced with withdraw due to a shoulder injury.  Sanhagen went on to face Font instead.         

UFC Fight Night 246 will mark the fight promotion’s 19th visit to Abu Dhabi.

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UFC announced on Saturday that former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will be inducted into the 2024 Class of the UFC Hall of Fame as a Pioneer. The 2024 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place as part of the 12th Annual UFC International Fight Week, on June 27, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“Shogun Rua is one of the greatest Brazilian athletes in combat sports history,” said UFC President & CEO Dana White. “Shogun had an incredible run in PRIDE and UFC, and he was fearless inside the Octagon. His fights against Mark Coleman, Chuck Liddell, Lyoto Machida, and Dan Henderson represent some of the most memorable moments in UFC history and helped put Brazilian MMA on the map. It will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer during International Fight Week.”

Rua will enter the UFC Hall of Fame as the 20^th member of the Pioneer Era Wing. The Pioneers Era category includes athletes who turned professional before November 17, 2000 (when the unified rules of mixed martial arts were adopted), are a minimum age of 35, or who have been retired for one year or more.

A veteran of 42 fights during his 21-year professional MMA career, Rua registered a record of 27-14-1 (23-13-1 – UFC / PRIDE), securing notable wins over UFC Hall of Famers Mark Coleman, Chuck Liddell, Kevin Randleman, and Forrest Griffin, former UFC light heavyweight champions Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Lyoto Machida, and former Strikeforce® heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.

Rua made his professional MMA debut on November 8, 2022, competing as part of Meca World Vale Tudo 7. Rua would win four of his first five fights in Meca World Vale Tudo and IFC, before entering PRIDE FC with a 4-1 record.

Rua made his PRIDE FC debut as part of PRIDE FC: BUSHIDO 1, which took place on October 5, 2003, in Saitama, Japan. Rua defeated Akira Shoji via KO in the first round and immediately became a fan favorite.

Rua would win his next seven fights in PRIDE, which included winning the 2005 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix by defeating Alistair Overeem and Ricardo Arona via first-round knockouts on the same night as part of PRIDE FC: Final Conflict 2005.

Following his first loss in PRIDE to former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Coleman via injury in the co-main event of PRIDE 31: UNBREAKABLE in February 2006, he would return in September and win his next four fights over six months before joining UFC.

Rua made his UFC debut against Forrest Griffin in the co-main event of UFC 76: KNOCKOUT, which took place on September 22, 2007, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Rua would lose his debut to Griffin inside the Octagon^® via third-round submission and take a year off to recover.

Rua returned in 2009 with two wins over Coleman and Chuck Liddell at UFC 93 and UFC 97, respectively, earning his first title shot against undefeated champion Lyoto Machida at UFC 104.

UFC 104: MACHIDA vs. SHOGUN took place on October 24, 2009, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Machida entered the Octagon with an undefeated 15-0 record which included wins over five future UFC Hall of Famers.

Rua and Machida matched evenly throughout the bout, with the champion absorbing more punches than in any of his 15 previous fights. The fight would go all five rounds, and Machida would retain the title with a controversial unanimous decision.

Due to the controversy surrounding the decision, Rua was granted an immediate rematch for the UFC light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 113.

UFC® 113: MACHIDA vs. SHOGUN 2 took place on May 8, 2010, at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Rua took control of the fight at the opening bell, securing more strikes and kicks during the first round. With 1:38 remaining in the first, Rua landed an overhand right that knocked down the champion. Rua immediately mounted Machida and landed several strikes to win the fight and decisively become the new UFC light heavyweight champion.

Rua would put his title on the line 10 months later against top-ranked contender Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 128: SHOGUN vs. JONES in March 2011. Rua would lose the title via third-round TKO.

Over the next 11 years, Rua would compete inside the Octagon 18 times, facing the top contenders of the light heavyweight division while delivering numerous Fight of the Night performances. His fights against James Te Huna, Antonio Rogerio Nogueria, Tyson Pedro and Dan Henderson earned performance honors, with his UFC 139 war against Henderson entering the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing in 2018.

He retired from competition following his loss to Ihor Potieria during UFC 283, which took place on January 21, 2023, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Rua enters the UFC Hall of Fame with an impressive resume that includes:

UFC:

• Most fights in UFC light heavyweight history – 24

• Tied for most knockdowns in UFC light heavyweight history – 14

• Second-most knockouts in UFC light heavyweight history – 8

• Third-most knockouts in Zuffa history (UFC / PRIDE / WEC / SF) – 17

• Fifth-most finishes in Zuffa history (UFC / PRIDE / WEC / SF) – 18

PRIDE:

• Tied for most knockouts by soccer kicks/stomps in PRIDE history – 4

Outside the Octagon, Rua has won several awards during his career, receiving Knockout of the Year honors in 2010 during the Fighters Only World MMA Awards for his bout against Lyoto Machida at UFC 113. In 2005, he received Fight of the Year for his bout against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at PRIDE FC: Critical Countdown 2005.

A native of Curitiba, Brazil, Rua began training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a member of the famed Chute Boxe Academy. He also trained in wrestling and boxing as a teenager. He currently lives in Curitiba with his wife and children.

To see a complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details regarding the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFCHOF. For additional information, please visit UFC.com. 

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Rising welterweight star Ian Garry really wants to fight former three-time title challenger Colby Covington but doesn’t think there’s much of a chance that “Chaos” will sign the bout agreement.  

A fight between Garry and Covington would be a legitimate grudge match.  The two regularly call each other out and have gone back and forth on social media for months.  Covington has targeted Garry’s wife with insults and accusations and Garry wants to settle their differences inside the octagon.  

Garry, primarily know for his striking, welcomes Covington’s wrestling-heavy approach and believes that he’ll ‘rag doll’ Covington in the grappling exchanges.    

“If Colby signs that contract, I’m gonna walk out with my knee up going, ‘Take the f**king thing. Take the f**king thing and let’s see what happens.’ I will rag doll him. I promise you now,” Garry told Full Send MMA at UFC 301.  “There’s no doubt in my mind I will rag doll him. The truth is, I genuinely don’t see any world where Colby signs the contract. I genuinely don’t, but if he’s man enough to, and if he has the balls to do it, then Colby, show up.”

Covington (17-4) is ranked fourth in the 170-pound weight class.  Garry (14-0) is ranked seventh.  Covington has lost three of his last five fights but the losses were all in championship bouts.  Despite Covington being a perennial contender, Garry doesn’t think the 36-year-old is that good.  

“Show the people why you’re so good,” Garry said. “I don’t think you’re any f**king good, and I think I’ll slap the mouth off you within five minutes.”  

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Former two-time featherweight champion Jose Aldo retired from fighting shortly after his UFC 278 decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022.  On Saturday, “The King of Rio” came out of retirement to take on 12th-ranked Jonathan Martinez in a bantamweight bout that served as the UFC 301 co-main event.  

Martinez entered the bout riding a six-fight winning streak and seven years younger than Aldo.  Deep in hostile territory, Martinez was looking to take out the Brazilian icon at Farmasi Arena, in Rio de Janeiro.  

Aldo inched forward and Martinez pawed with his jab in the early going of the opening round.  Martinez connected with a leg kick and Aldo responded with a right hand to the body.  Aldo pressed forward and landed a right hand.  Midway through the frame, Aldo pressed forward with a combination but Martinez moved out of the way.  Martinez delivered a kick to the body and Aldo continued to press forward.  Aldo connected with a quick right hand.  Aldo landed to the body before going to the jaw with a right hand.  Aldo looked sharp in the first round.  MMAWeekly scored the round for Aldo 10-9 due to cleaner strikes.  

Aldo connected first in the second frame with a leg kick.  Martinez reacted with a high kick that was blocked.  Aldo ripped the body with a combination. Martinez closed the distance and looked to get the fight to the ground.  With his 92% takedown defense, Aldo defended the attempt and the referee separated them.  Aldo landed a straight right hand.  Martinez landed a left hand.  Aldo responded with a clean right hand.  Martinez connected with his jab.  Aldo continued to target the body of Martine.  Martinez began pressuring Aldo and landed a right hand.  Martinez connected again with a right hand.  Aldo immediately fired back.  It was a competitive round but MMAWeekly scored the round for Aldo 10-9.  

Between rounds, Martinez’ corner told him that he has to pick up the pace or he’s going to lose.  Martinez initially pressured Aldo, but Aldo met him with a right hand.  Martinez delivered a kick to the body and continued to pressure Aldo.  Aldo ducked under a punch and briefly looked for a takedown.  Martinez listened to his corner and picked up the pace.  Aldo delivered a combination but Martinez continued to move forward.  They stood in front of each other and looked for an opening.  Martinez missed with a spinning back fist.  Aldo connected with a left hand that hurt Martinez.  Martinez’ legs were wobbly.  Aldo changed levels and slammed Martinez to the canvas.  

It was the first takedown in a fight for Aldo in years.  Aldo moved to half guard and delivered short punches to the body.  Martinez worked his way back to full guard.  Martinez threw strikes from the bottom but Aldo maintained top control.  MMAWeekly scored the round for Aldo.

The judges agreed with all three scored the fight for Aldo resulting in a unanimous decision.  The scorecards read 30-27, 30-27, and 30-27.     

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The flyweight title was up for grabs in the UFC 301 main event on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  

Champion Alexandre Pantoja faced tenth-ranked Steve Erceg in the fight card’s main event at Farmasi Arena.  It was Pantoja’s second title defense.  He entered the match riding a five-fight winning streak and held the hardware.  

Erceg made the walk to the octagon on an eleven-fight winning streak and fresh off ‘Performance of the Night’ knockout win over Matt Schnell in March.  The knockout punched his ticket to a title fight. 

Pantoja came out aggressive and landed a leg kick followed by a left hand.  Pantoja rushed forward with punches and Erceg briefly tied him up.  Erceg connected with a left kick and pressed forward.  Erceg landed a combination.  Pantoja rushed forward and landed to the body.  Pantoja clinched long enough to deliver a knee.  Erceg pressured and Pantoja landed a left hand and took Erceg down.  Erceg tried to stand and Pantoja delivered a knee to the body.  Pantoja moved to side control with a minute remaining in the round.  Pantoja delivered a series of left hands as Erceg stood.  Pantoja drug him back to the ground.  Erceg scrambled to his feet and separated.  MMAWeekly scored the first frame 10-9 for the champion.  

Pantoja connected with a right hand and pressed froward.  They clinched and worked for position along the cage.  The second round started fast.  Pantoja separated and Pantoja rushed in with a wild combination.  Erceg landed a counter right hand as Pantoja closed the distance.  Pantoja secured a takedown and quickly moved to the mount.  Erceg got to half guard and reversed Pantoja.  The scrambled to their feet and separated at the midway mark.  

Erceg moved in with a right hand and looked for a takedown.  Pantoja defended the attempt and pushed Erceg away.  Pantoja moved in with a right hand.  Erceg landed right a right hand.  He connected with a left as Pantoja moved forward.  Pantoja looked to get the fight to the ground.  Erceg shook off the attempt and pressured the champion.  Erceg landed combination and Pantoja rushed in but missed.  Pantoja closed the distance and ate an elbow but secured the takedown.  Erceg definitely did more damage that round but Pantoja scored two takedowns.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Pantoja.  

Erceg landed an elbow to start the third.  They clinched and Pantoja delivered knees to the body before separating.  Erceg pressed forward.  He landed his jab and Pantoja responded with a leg kick.  Pantoja targeted the body and Erceg responded with a left hand.  Erceg landed his jab to keep Pantoja on the outside.  Pantoja rushed forward and clinched.  Erceg circled free with two minutes remaining in the round.  Both landed shots.  As Pantoja pressed forward, Erceg connected with an elbow that may have stunned Pantoja.  It opened up a cut on Pantoja.  Pantoja quickly went for a takedown and got it.  Pantoja took Erceg’s back.  The round ended.  MMAWeekly scored the round for Pantoja.  

Erceg’s corner told him, ‘you’re probably down three.  You need to go and try to finish this,’ before the fourth frame.  Erceg inched forward and landed a right hand.  They exchanged jabs.  Erceg changed levels and looked for a takedown.  Pantoja stuffed the attempt.  Erceg landed an elbow that had Pantoja looking for a takedown.  Erceg shook off the attempt and landed an uppercut.  

Pantoja stepped forward and connected with a right hand.  Erceg connected with his jab and right hand.  Erceg stalked Pantoja.  Pantoja moved in with a combination.  Erceg went for a takedown and Pantoja successfully sprawled.  Erceg landed to the body.  Pantoja’s cut began leaking into his eyes.  Erceg landed a left and Pantoja clinched.  They separated and Pantoja landed a left.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Erceg.  

Pantoja’s corner told him that he’s ‘won at least three’ before coming out for the final round.  Erceg landed his jab followed by a leg kick.  Pantoja pressed forward and Erceg changed levels and took him down.  Pantoja scrambled to his feet and took Erceg down.  Erceg got to his feet but Pantoja stayed on him.  Erceg looked to have grabbed the fence to stay on his feet.  Pantoja drug him to the ground.  Erceg quickly got to his feet and separated.  

Erceg pressed forward and landed a short uppercut.  With two minutes remaining, Pantoja landed to the body but was hit with an elbow.  A second cut opened up on Pantoja.  Erceg looked for a takedown and Pantoja reversed him and gained top position.  Erceg tried to scramble but Pantoja maintained top control.  He moved to side control and Erceg briefly gave up his back.  He rolled and Pantoja stayed on him.  MMAWeekly scored the final round 10-for Pantoja.  

The judges scored the fight for Pantoja.  The scorecards read 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46.

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Following tonight’s UFC 301 event at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the big winners will answer questions from the media during the post-fight press conference.  

A flyweight title bout between champion Alexandre Pantoja and tenth-ranked Steve Erceg headlined the fight card.  In the co-main event, former two-time featherweight champion Jose Aldo came out of retirement to take on 12th-ranked Jonathan Martinez.

UFC 301 Post-Fight Press Conference Video

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T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas hosted undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez’ annual Cinco De Mayo weekend fight on Saturday.  He faced former junior middleweight champ Jaime Munguia.  It’s the first time two fighters born in Mexico fought for an undisputed championship.

Following the fight, the two will answer questions from the media during the post-fight press conference.  

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The live results from tonight’s UFC 301 from Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil begin at 6 p.m. ET on MMAWeekly.com.  

The event is headlined by flyweight title bout between champion Alexandre Pantoja and tenth-ranked Steve Erceg.  In the co-main event, former two-time featherweight champion Jose Aldo returns from retirement to take on Jonathan Martinez in a bantamweight bout.

UFC 301 Start Times:

• Early Preliminary Card begins at 6 p.m. ET

• Preliminary Card begins at 8 p.m. ET

• Main Card begins at 10 p.m. ET

UFC 301 Live Results and Analytics

UFC 301 Official Results

Main Card (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

• Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg
• Jose Aldo vs. Jonathan Martinez
• Vitor Petrino vs. Anthony Smith
• Michel Pereira vs. Ihor Potieria
• Caio Borralho vs. Paul Craig

Preliminary Card (ESPN/ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

• Joanderson Brito vs. Jack Shore
• Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Iasmin Lucindo
• Elves Brener vs. Myktybek Orolbai
• William Gomis vs. Jean Silva

Early Preliminary Card (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

• Drakkar Klose vs. Joaquim Silva
• Jamie Mullarkey vs. Mauricio Ruffy
• Dione Barbosa vs. Ernesta Kareckaite
• Ismael Bonfim vs. Vinc Pichel
• Kevin Borjas vs. Alessandro Costa

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A flyweight title bout between champion Alexandre Pantoja and tenth-ranked Steve Erceg headlines Saturday’s UFC 301 fight card at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  The fight will be Pantoja’s second title defense.  

Former two-time middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya gave his pick for the title bout and broke down the entire main card.  While he’ll be pulling for Erceg to pull off the upset, Adesanya knows who he’s putting his money on.    

“It’s going to be a f**king tough fight against Pantoja because of his experience,” Adesanya said.  “I do want Steve to win because it would be a f**king cool story.  Fourth fight in the UFC, gets called up.”

“It’s going to be a hard, tall task against Pantoja and I just haven’t seen enough of Steve to be able to like just put my money on him.  But I have seen a lot of Pantoja and I know what he can do.” Adesanya continued.  “My official pick is going to be Pantoja.”

“If I’m about to put my money on this, I’m putting it on Pantoja because I’ve seen the body of work he’s put in and I know what he’s capable of.  Steve, my bro, shock the world.”  

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