Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Conor McGregor’s return is just weeks away.
“The Notorious” fights for the first time in almost three years when he takes on longtime rival Michael Chandler in the welterweight main event of UFC 303, which takes place June 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The grudge match was promoted heavily on Saturday’s UFC 302 broadcast. Check out the confirmed main card lineup below.
Just a few weeks away…#UFC303 pic.twitter.com/MncSljkfAq
— UFC (@ufc) June 2, 2024
McGregor has not competed since breaking his leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. The former two-division champion has been on the shelf recovering from the injury and also pursuing a career in Hollywood. He recently had a starring role in the hit Amazon Prime action film Road House.
When McGregor steps back into the octagon, he seeks his first win since defeating Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in January 2020.
Chandler hopes to finally score a win over the man he’s been chasing for the better part of the past two years. He and McGregor served as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31, but Chandler had to wait months before their matchup was made official. He seeks to snap out of a 1-3 slump.
In the co-main event, former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill takes on Carlos Ulberg, who steps in on short notice for Khalil Rountree.
Also on the main card, top bantamweight contender Mayra Bueno Silva fights Macy Chiasson, Joe Pyfer meets Marc-Andre Barriault in a middleweight bout, and undefeated welterweight Ian Machado Garry takes on former Bellator star Michael “Venom” Page.
Islam Makhachev still stands tall atop the UFC lightweight division.
Makhachev fended off a ferocious effort from Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, choking out the former interim champion with a fifth-round D’arce choke to successfully defend his UFC lightweight title at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. It was a thrilling affair, one which immediately joins the short list for 2024’s Fight of the Year, and it buoyed up a UFC 302 card that otherwise lacked in big moments — even if the champ would prefer otherwise.
“I think I saved this card today,” Makhachev said with a laugh at UFC 302’s post-fight press conference. “Because all these fights [were] boring and the whole arena [was] almost asleep. And we showed with Dustin [a] great performance.
“Honestly, it’s a very good fight, but I don’t like when you have the cut, everything is pain now, tomorrow I think it’s going to be more pain. But Dustin is a dog. He will bite, kick, punch. Happy to finish him, but this guy is one of the best, still one of the best in the world.”
Makhachev, 32, did indeed have to dig deep to dispatch Poirier. Despite dominating the fight early, Makhachev had to overcome a second wind from his American challenger, especially after Poirier opened a wide cut on Makhachev’s face in the middle rounds. Yet with blood pouring down his face, Makhachev tapped into his championship meddle and secured the fight-ending choke with a gorgeous sequence in the bout’s final minutes.
“I think it’s my first cut,” Makhachev said. “It’s OK. This is MMA, this is not soccer, not basketball. This is MMA. We fight, try to crush each other, beat each other, and Dustin today gave me a hard time.”
With a third title defense now under his belt, Makhachev moves into a five-way tie for the most consecutive defenses of the lightweight belt in UFC history, joining B.J. Penn, Benson Henderson, Frankie Edgar, and his longtime mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov. One more win and Makhachev will take sole possession of a record that has long seemed impossible for anyone in the division to reach. But if the champ had his druthers, he’d go a different route.
His primary goal remains to move up to welterweight and capture a second UFC title.
“I don’t follow the [people who say I] beat some record or something like this. If you want a great legacy, you have to get second belt. It’s my opinion,” Makhachev said.
“Who doesn’t want to be double champion? This is history. How many double champs [do] we have? This is a dream for all fighters to get [a] second belt. This is my dream.”
Makhachev may have to wait for the chance to fulfill that dream, however.
UFC CEO Dana White announced Saturday night that the promotion is interested in booking a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan for Makhachev’s next fight. Makhachev previously defeated Tsarukyan via unanimous decision in Tsarukyan’s short-notice UFC debut in 2019.
White also expressed a willingness to entertain the idea of Makhachev challenging for a second belt, but either way, the champ is ready to take on whatever the UFC decides.
“Dana has my number. Just call me and put some new challenge [in front of me],” Makhachev said.
“It [doesn’t] make sense when you have rematch, I need some new challenge. But if Dana wants [the Tsarukyan rematch], let’s do it. No problem.”
The top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, headlined Saturday’s UFC 302 fight card against former interim titleholder Dustin Poirier.
Makhachev entered his third title defense at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey riding a 13-fight winning streak. Poirier was coming off a knockout win over Benoit Saint Denis and planned to do the same to Makhachev. Leading up to his third title shot, Poirier stated that it could be his last octagon appearance.
Poirier missed with a calf kick to start the fight. Makhachev opened with a front kick that came up short. He landed a combination and quickly changed levels and put Poirier on his back. Makhachev may have hurt Poirier with a punch before the takedown. Makhachev worked in Poirier’s half guard. Makhachev isolated an arm and applied a kimura. Poirier rolled to escape the submission attempt and Makhachev took his back.
At the midway mark of the opening round, Makhachev applied a body triangle. Poirier fought the hands of Makhachev. Poirier survived the bad position but lost the round.
Poirier landed a leg kick to start the second round. Makhachev quickly looked to get the fight to the ground. Poirier fought of the attempt. They briefly clinched and Makhachev delivered a knee to the body before separating. Makhachev looked for a takedown and Poirier fended it off again. Makhachev connected with a left hand. Makhachev landed a right hand. Poirier responded with a jab.
Makhachev pressed forward and looked to get Poirier to the ground along the fence. Poirier remained standing and turned Makhachev. He delivered a left hook to the body inside the clinch. Poirier pushed Makhachev away. Poirier landed a right hand. Makhachev clinched and Poirier landed to the body and to the head. They exchanged punches and Makhachev worked for a takedown. He got it will ten seconds remaining. The round ended with Makhachev on top. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Poirier.
The pace was slow to start the third. Makhachev landed a knee inside the clinch. Makhachev worked to get the fight to the ground. Makhachev secured the takedown and took Poirier’s back. Makhachev applied a body triangle. With three minutes left on the clock, Makhachev had Poirier’s back and working to set up a rear-naked choke. Makhachev mounted Poirier. Poirier tried to escape out the back but Makhachev had an arm. Poirier gets free and back to his feet. Poirier moved forward and landed a jab. Makhachev responded with a combination. Poirier answered with a straight right.
Poirier started talking to Makhachev. Poirier’s face is wearing some damage. Poirier landed his jab. They exchanged right hands at the bell. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Makhachev.
Poirier moved forward in the fourth. Makhachev landed his jab. Poirier landed to the body and they exchanged right hands. Poirier landed his jab and Makhachev responded with a right hand. Makhachev looked for a takedown but Poirier stuffed the attempt. Makhachev connected with two right hands. He landed a left hand and changed levels. Poirier’s back was again the cage and Makhachev was working to tied up a leg. Poirier stayed on his feet but may have hurt his leg. Makhachev drug Poirier to his knees with two minutes left in the round. Poirier switched the posting and unloaded body shots. They separated and Makhachev landed an uppercut.
Both of their faces were bloodied. Poirier ripped to the body with a combination. Makhachev quickly looked for a takedown. Makhachev was cut on his forehead caused by an elbow by Poirier. It was a close round. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Makhachev.
Both corners told their fighters to leave it all in the cage in the final round. Poirier landed his j ab to start the round. Makhachev countered with a right hand. Poirier connected with a strong calf kick. Makhachev looked for takedown but Poirier defended the attempt. They clinched and Poirier went to the body with a right hand and pushed Makhachev away. Poirier continued to talk to the champion. Poirier connected with a big left hand. Makhachev worked to get the fight to the ground. He applied a guillotine and got top position. Makhachev applied a d’arce choke. Poirier was forced to tap out. Makhachev retained the lightweight title in what will surely earn Fight of the Night honors.
The official time of the stoppage was 2:42 of the fifth round.
Islam Makhachev’straining partnerwas kicked out of UFC 302 for jumping over the cage.
Islam Makhachev scored his third Lightweight title defense against Dustin Poirier last night (Sat., June 1, 2024) when he choked Poirier unconscious in the fifth round from inside Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey (watch highlights).
Moments after his big win, training partner of Makhachev, cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedovand Bellator Lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov left the stands and jumped over the cage but was quickly removed. He was then kicked out of the Prudential Center.
Watch him jump the cage:
Usman Nurmagomedov got kicked out of the arena for jumping the cage to celebrate with Islam Makhachev pic.twitter.com/p7e8o5u8tl
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) June 2, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White was asked about the incident during the UFC 302 post-fight press conference (watch here) and simply said, “Yeah, you can’t do that.”
Nurmagomedov (17-0) has not fought since his unanimous decision win over Brent Primus at Bellator 300, which was overturned to a “No Contest” after it was revealed that the champion had failed a post-fight drug test. This led to a fine and a suspension from the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).
The undefeated Russian fighter was scheduled to defend his Bellator Lightweight title against Alexandr Shabliy last month at Bellator Paris but had to pull out due to an injury.
For complete UFC 302 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
Dustin Poirier has a big decision to make regarding his future after another heartbreaking loss in his third attempt at becoming undisputed champion at UFC 302.
Despite a valiant effort, the 35-year-old Louisiana native ultimately came up short in his fight against Islam Makhachev, succumbing to a late D’arce choke submission that ended his night. Poirier admitted days before the fight that it’d be tough to imagine a scenario where he could lose and then earn his way back to another title shot, so he planned to make the most of this latest opportunity.
Sadly, Poirier still came up short in his latest attempt at becoming undisputed UFC champion, and that left him contemplating whether it may be time to walk away.
“I was fighting to be the world champion,” Poirier said at the UFC 302 post-fight press conference. “Like, what else am I fighting for? Just to fight for the thrill? Because I am addicted to it, no doubt. For the money? Me and my family are good, I don’t need the money. Money’s great but my health is first. What am I fighting for? To be the champion again. Will I ever get that shot even if I go on a streak? I don’t know. But it’s such a tough mountain to climb that I’ve climbed so many times.
“I’m 35 and I see people and hear people say, ‘That’s not old.’ But I have 50 fights. I’ve been fighting since I was 17 years old. I fought my first cage-fight when I was 18. I have 10 fights that aren’t on my record. I’ve been in a bunch of battles. At some time, this is going to catch up to me. Obviously, I just fought the pound-for-pound No. 1 guy, and every time I got off the stool, I felt like I was going to win this fight. I remember thinking getting off the stool, ‘I’m going to be the world champion tonight.’ I felt it. So I’ve just got to see.”
As far as the fight itself, Poirier detailed his biggest struggle against Makhachev, and it really didn’t come down to the wrestling, which was the Russian’s primary weapon against him.
While he did spend a lot of time on the canvas with Makhachev trying to finish him — including the final sequence leading to the D’arce choke submission — Poirier was actually proud of the improvements he made in that part of his game.
Instead, Poirier points to a strength that Makhachev and his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov both possess.
“Honestly, similar to Khabib, his movement is really strange,” Poirier said of Makhachev. “The timing of it is really strange, to get his cadence. I wanted to open up more and throw more volume, but when he would commit to the pocket, he would exit weird. His dips with his head, I heard my corner telling me throw the knee the whole time, but I just felt like I might get taken down off of it.
“His movement is kind of awkward, it’s a weird timing, so I couldn’t get combinations going. Everything else was what I expected.”
With the loss, Poirier now finds himself back at square one again, and he’s just not certain he’s going to be able to stick around long enough to earn another shot a UFC gold.
There’s a part of him that knows it’s possible, but then Poirier starts thinking about his wife and daughter, who have to say goodbye to him for months at a time when he’s gone during training camp. He knows if the decision was up to them, he’d retire immediately, but Poirier is ultimately the one who has to make that call.
“I know the answer — they want me to stop,” Poirier said of his family. “But I know I can still compete with these guys. I’ve just got to figure out what I’m fighting for.
“I beat a young guy last time out. I just competed with the No. 1 pound-for-pound guy and I felt good doing it until the end. I’ve just got to see. I can still compete, but I don’t want the sport to retire me and squeeze me out. I don’t want to be one of those guys hanging on. I just honor and respect this too much. We’ll see. I don’t know, but this could be my last fight.”
Perhaps the toughest pill to swallow for Poirier is knowing that if he won on Saturday, his retirement was almost certainly imminent.
Instead, the loss leaves him longing for more, but he just can’t say how much more he has left to give.
“That’s the problem — tonight, if I would have won that belt, I would be content with everything I’ve done in the sport,” Poirier said. “I didn’t get the ultimate goal. The reason I started fighting was to be the world champion, undisputed, and I didn’t get it.
“This could be my last fight. I don’t know. I’ve just got to get home and see what I’m fighting for.”
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.
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