Islam Makhachev is on the verge of tying the UFC record for lightweight title defenses. Dustin Poirier makes one final rally to become undisputed champion. It’s a meeting of legacies at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday for UFC 302.
Makhachev is considered by many the pound-for-pound best fighter in mixed martial arts today. There aren’t many loftier accomplishments. Makhachev won’t go down as the greatest in history with a win on Saturday, but he’ll take an important step in that direction. A successful title defense would be Makhachev’s third, tying him all-time in the lightweight division with his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, Benson Henderson, Frankie Edgar and BJ Penn.
Former interim champion Poirier has twice failed to win the undisputed title. The fan-favorite is one of the greatest to never become undisputed champion and told CBS Sports this is his final attempt to right that wrong. A Poirier victory could be a storybook finish to a beloved career and one of the sport’s best feel-good moments.
“It’s a thing where I have to digest it and be OK with it because that’s how life goes,” Poirier said. “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.
The undercard features an interesting middleweight showdown that could produce a title challenger later this year when Sean Strickland takes on Paulo Costa. Strickland, the former titleholder, is coming off a tough split decision loss to Dricus du Plessis to drop the title. He intimated this week that he doesn’t believe UFC wanted him to keep the title because of the issues he creates in front of the microphone.
Below is all the information you need to catch UFC 302 on Saturday night.
How to watch UFC 302 prelims
Date: June 1 | Location: Prudential Center — Newark — New Jersey
Time: 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. for early prelims)
Channel: ESPN
How to watch UFC 302 main card
Date: June 1 | Location: Prudential Center — Newark, New Jersey
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Stream: ESPN+ PPV | Price: $79.99
Now, here’s a look at the UFC 302 main fight card and betting odds.
UFC 302 main card, odds
| Favorite | Underdog | Weightclass |
|---|---|---|
| Islam Makhachev (c) -625 | Dustin Poirier +450 | Lightweight title |
| Sean Strickland -250 | Paulo Costa +205 | Middleweights |
| Kevin Holland -290 | Michal Oleksiejczuk +235 | Middleweights |
| Alex Morono -265 | Niko Price +215 | Welterweights |
| Randy Brown -180 | Ezekiel Zaleski dos Santos +155 | Welterweights |
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