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: Sean Strickland vs Paulo Costa
Both men kick low. Hard outside leg kick from Costa, then a cross to the body. Again he kicks low.
Strickland’s lead leg is red, but so is Costa’s mid-section! More front kicks by Strickland, aimed at that red patch on Costa’s front.
Strickland is maintaining his pressure, keeping Costa backpedaling. Eventually Costa tries to get a body lock, but Strickland shrugs him off.
Snapping jab by Strickland, jolting back the head of Costa, who simultaneously lands a leg kick. Another well-timed shot from Strickland sends Costa tumbling into the fence. Again, though, it’s not a hard knockdown – just a timely jab.
Alex Pattle2 June 2024 04:56
UFC 302 LIVE: Sean Strickland vs Paulo Costa
Two low kicks from Costa early on. He looks massive in there. Strickland presses forward gently.
More low kicks from Costa. Strickland flicks out a few front kicks to the body. And again.
Neither man is rushing; they have five rounds, if they need them.
Strickland continues to press forward. Costa kicks low yet again. Nice jab by Costa. He kicks to the body, then jabs.
More front kicks from Strickland, who can’t get into boxing range. Until now! He drops Costa to his backside with a well-timed punch, though it’s not a heavy knockdown.
Costa will get worn out soon from all this backwards movement and these body kicks.
Alex Pattle2 June 2024 04:46
UFC 302 LIVE: Sean Strickland vs Paulo Costa
Time for the co-main event!
Can Sean Strickland 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.
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 Pattle2 June 2024 04:37
UFC 302 LIVE: Kevin Holland vs Michal Oleksiejczuk
Three fights left. First up: Kevin Holland vs Michal Oleksiejczuk at middleweight.
Southpaw Oleksiejczuk sends Holland staggering with a clean left hand in the early moments. Now he catches a side kick.
Holland is just out of range of an overhand, but the next gets him! Holland crashes to the mat, but Oleksiejczuk rushes into his guard, and Holland goes for an armbar!
Oleksiejczuk is in it for ages, and it’s WRENCHED on! He doesn’t tap, but the referee steps in, after Oleksiejczuk’s arm seemingly BREAKS?!
It did look like it snapped. Wow. Oleksiejczuk complains to the ref, but at the very least his arm is dislocated; it’s limp. Holland was talking to Oleksiejczuk during the armbar, as if he was trying to convince Oleksiejczuk to tap.
Kevin Holland def. Oleksiejczuk via technical submission (armbar, 1:34)
Alex Pattle2 June 2024 04:25
UFC 302 LIVE: Niko Price vs Alex Morono 2
A left hook lands for Morono, but there’s nothing on it. He looks exhausted. Can Price capitalise?
He catches Morono on the end of an uppercut. OH! And again, cleaner this time. He takes down Morono with ease.
Price runs rings around Morono on the mat, then both fighters stand. Price times a knee wonderfully as they do.
Decent elbow from Price now, and a left elbow. Some wild striking on display from Morono.
Alex Pattle2 June 2024 04:08
UFC 302 LIVE: Niko Price vs Alex Morono 2
Next up, a rematch between welterweights Niko Price and Alex Morono! The pair fought in 2017, with their draw overturned to a No Contest.
Both men stand orthodox. Price takes the centre of the ring. Morono stays mobile and just misses with a cross.
Price trips him and rushes into his guard. Morono is working on an Omoplata, having trapped one arm…
Price scrambles and eventually gets free, and they stand. Price staggers Morono with an uppercut by the fence!
A fun striking exchange ensues, with Morono attempting a spinning back kick and spinning back elbow (neither lands).
Morono lands a clean overhand, but there’s not a ton on it. Price comes forward with a few body hooks.
Morono continues to land. Again, there’s not much power, but the accuracy is there.
Morono wings a few shots, missing all of them (so much for the accuracy), and he jumps a guillotine in defence against a takedown.
As the grappling exchange continues, the guillotine slips, and Morono also struggles to finish an armbar. The welterweights eventually stand against the fence.
Alex Pattle2 June 2024 03:47
UFC 302 LIVE: Randy Brown vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
Low kicks from both men early in this final round. Now Dos Santos complains of another eye poke, and we have a brief pause again.
So, the new gloves aren’t solving the issue they’re supposed to solve!
OH! Another well-timed knee by Brown! It seems to have cut Dos Santos badly around his left eye.
Dos Santos shoots for a takedown to buy time to recover, but he’ll have to settle for holding Brown on the fence.
Sometime later, Dos Santos secures a trip and takes the back – with time running out! He goes for a rear naked choke, but Brown defends until the buzzer.
Randy Brown def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Alex Pattle2 June 2024 03:36
UFC 302 LIVE: Randy Brown vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
Wow! Both fighters land hard right hands! Dos Santos’s seems to do the greater damage, and he chases a retreating Brown before securing a takedown!
Dos Santos takes the back, but he doesn’t have a great hold; he’s positioned too high on Brown’s back. Brown is able to stand against the fence, but he’s tripped.
Dos Santos takes the back again and works on a rear naked choke. He can’t get it past the jaw of Brown, who stays calm and defends well.
Eventually Brown escapes, and he takes Dos Santos’s back! He tries his own rear naked choke, but Dos Santos makes it to the buzzer!
Alex Pattle2 June 2024 03:30
UFC 302 LIVE: Randy Brown vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
The main card is upon us! It begins with a welterweight bout between Randy Brown and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos.
Both men stand southpaw. Brown hops forward and throws out a one-two, which is off-target.
He kicks low now, and Dos Santos responds in kind. Brown feints with jabs; Dos Santos fakes a front kick.
Brown, the taller man, checks a leg kick. He blocks a head kick now. There’s a brief pause in the action after Dos Santos complains of an eye poke.
But the referee forces Dos Santos to resume fighting! What is he doing? You’re supposed to give the athlete time to recover!
We’re back under way, and Brown is outstriking Dos Santos, who still looks to be in discomfort and fails with a takedown.
OH! Brown times a jumping knee beautifully, jolting back Dos Santos’s head in the final seconds of the round!
Alex Pattle2 June 2024 03:23
UFC 302 LIVE: Donald Trump sits ringside after guilty verdict on felony counts
Alex Pattle2 June 2024 03:07