UFC 302, Issues to Watch: Enjoyable storylines, must-see fights and … curses? | Islam vs. Poirier

After a uncommon weekend off, the Final Preventing Championship (UFC) returns for its sixth pay-per-view (PPV) present because the promotion heads to Prudential Middle in Newark, N.J. In UFC 302’s essential occasion, Islam Makhachev defends his light-weight title in opposition to Octagon legend Dustin Poirier, whereas former Middleweight roost-ruler, Sean Strickland, takes on Paulo Costa within the co-feature.

Whereas UFC 302 isn’t a brilliant sturdy PPV (due to UFC 300), it does have some enjoyable fights up and down the cardboard, making the environment unbelievable. So, earlier than PPV motion kicks off on ESPN+ PPV, let’s checkout some random storylines, tidbits and statistics forward of UFC 302 …

‘Brick Metropolis’

UFC returns to Newark, N.J., for the tenth time this weekend. The promotion took a PPV to “Brick Metropolis” final 12 months with UFC 288, during which Aljamain Sterling defeated Henry Cejudo through break up resolution.

First True Protection

Makhachev will technically be defending his Light-weight championship for the third time on Saturday, however it is going to lastly be in opposition to somebody in his division. That’s as a result of his first two defenses got here in opposition to former 145-pound kingpin and pound-for-pound chief, Alexander Volkanovski (a featherweight).

Whereas a title protection is a title protection, Makhachev will lastly need to make a real 155-pound protection in “The Backyard State.”

‘The Eagle’ Has Landed

Khabib Nurmagomedov will likely be in Makhachev’s nook for UFC 302. The retired former Light-weight champion missed Makhachev’s final title protection in opposition to the aforementioned Volkanovski at UFC 294, however he’s again to assist Makhachev diffuse “The Diamond.”

Final Likelihood?

Poirier will combat for the Light-weight championship for the third time at UFC 302, and it’ll probably be his final probability to compete for the title. He’s winless (0-2) in undisputed light-weight title fights (he was submitted in each). However, a light-weight title victory over Makhachev would cement “The Diamond” as the most effective UFC fighters of all-time.

Retirement?

Poirier has teased that he might have retired after any of his previous couple of fights, however earlier than his essential occasion this Saturday, he has really leaned into the retirement discuss, particularly as a result of he has nothing else to show apart from successful the title.

And UFC commentator, Daniel Cormier, doesn’t prefer it one bit.

“I hate it for the concept that it could possibly be nearly over, and he acknowledges that,” Cormier stated. “I don’t like when athletes as a result of I did it myself, I’m nearly judging myself.”

Over 35 Curse?

UFC champions who weigh 170 kilos or much less and are older than age 35 have amassed a 2-22 report in 31 years. The one UFC champion to beat the “35 curse” was Tyron Woodley … and he did it twice.

Can Poirier be the one to interrupt the curse?

Costa Curse!

There are literally two combined martial arts (MMA) curses on UFC 302. Prepared? Each UFC champion who has shared a card with Costa has misplaced their title.

Exercise

Costa has been on the sidelines so much for the previous six years, averaging about one combat per 12 months. Nevertheless, pinch me as a result of Costa is definitely now energetic! The Brazilian is preventing twice this 12 months for the primary time since 2017, the place he fought thrice, going undefeated (3-0) with three finishes.

Bounce Again

Strickland will likely be competing in his first combat this weekend since shedding his middleweight championship to Dricus Du Plessis earlier this 12 months, hoping to work his approach again to the 185-pound crown.

No. 1 Contender?

Strickland vs. Costa could possibly be a high-stakes showdown. UFC CEO Dana White introduced that Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whitaker, which can happen in Saudi Arabia on June 22, 2024, is a No. 1 contender combat; nevertheless, with a dominant win, Strickland might leapfrog that winner.

In the meantime, Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya is anticipated to happen at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, and Strickland clearly has a historical past with each. Strickland beat Adesanya for the title after which misplaced it to Du Plessis in a really, very shut break up resolution.

5 Rounds, Child

UFC 302’s significant co-main occasion is scheduled for 5, five-minute rounds.

Middleweight ‘Large Mouth’

After eight fights at Welterweight, Kevin Holland — who’s using a two-fight shedding streak — is transferring again to Middleweight, the place he had far more success. Fortunately, this isn’t a everlasting transfer — it was a short-notice alternative to combat. He faces Poland’s Michal Oleksiejczuk on the PPV essential card.

Rematch!

Nike Worth and Alex Morono run it again this weekend at UFC 302. The pair of welterweights fought approach again in 2017 at UFC Combat Evening 104: “Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie,” the place Worth knocked out Morono within the second spherical; nevertheless, the outcome was later overturned as a result of Worth failed a post-fight drug check (marijuana).

Since their first combat, each athletes have had up-and-down careers. Worth is coming off two consecutive losses, whereas Morono is coming off a win over Court docket McGee.

Previous Opponent

Former middleweight champion Strickland has solely been completed twice in his 34-fight profession: Alex Pereira and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. The latter kicks off the PPV essential card in opposition to surging Welterweight Randy Brown. Dos Santos is coming off a draw in opposition to Rinat Fakhretdinov, however is using a two-fight win streak.

Welcome To UFC!

Just one fighter is making their UFC debut this weekend.

Mitch Raposo (9-1) takes on Andre Lima (the fighter who acquired bit). Raposo is a Contender Sequence and The Final Fighter (TUF) veteran, and after 4 wins on the regional scene, all through end, he will get his long-awaited UFC shot.

Raposo holds a 77 p.c end streak with 4 knockouts and three submissions.

Large Step Up

Former Glory kickboxer and pre-UFC “Poatan” slayer, Cesar Almeida makes his second stroll to the Octagon this weekend after stopping Dylan Budka in his Octagon debut (watch highlights). Alemida goes from Budka to fringe Prime 15 Middleweight Roman Kopylov, who’s coming off a loss to Anthony Hernandez … which is a big step up in competitors.

The combat needs to be an absolute banger, as each males are enjoyable strikers and don’t search for takedowns.

Heavyweight Grappling Showcase

UFC 302’s “Prelims” undercard options two Heavyweight grapplers as No. 7-ranked Jailton Almeida takes on No. 13 Alexander Romanov.

There’s all the time an opportunity {that a} combat between two grapplers will flip right into a putting contest, however hopefully, the 2 gigantic Heavyweights will showcase their grappling.

Almeida is coming off his first UFC loss to Curtis Blaydes, whereas Romanov is coming off a win over Blagoy Ivanov.

Again To The ‘Prelims,’ Bud

Grant Dawson headlined a UFC occasion in his final outing, however after getting knocked out in 33 seconds by Bobby Inexperienced, he’s heading again to the “Prelims.”

Dawson tries to get again on monitor in opposition to Joe Solecki.

Welcome Again, Mickey

Mickey Gall returns to motion this weekend after a 25-month layoff. He was final in motion in opposition to Mike Mallott, getting knocked out within the first spherical. After the combat, there have been studies of him being launched from the promotion, however that was not the case. He simply requested a while off.

Gall is using a two-fight shedding streak and is at present 6-5 in UFC. He faces Bassil Hafez.

Already 1-0

Gall and Hafez even have some historical past. Hafez beat Gall in a 2013 grappling match, making him 1-0 in opposition to the C.M. Punk slayer.

Will he go 2-0?

BAD BLOOD

Let’s give UFC props for banking on some warmth by making Joselyn Edwards vs. Ailin Perez as a result of there may be some critical dangerous blood main into this scrap.

Again in Nov. 2023 — earlier than UFC Vegas 82 — Perez and Edwards acquired right into a combat at UFC’s Efficiency Institute, which led to Edwards giving Perez a black eye after which Perez’s coach choking Edwards unconscious (learn all in regards to the particulars).

UFC 302 Combat Chief

The fighter with probably the most profession fights competing at UFC 302 is Poirier (38).

UFC 302 Combat Rookie

The fighter with the least quantity of profession fights competing at UFC 302 is Almeida (5).

UFC 302 Knockout King

The fighter with probably the most quantity of profession knockouts competing at UFC 302 is Poirier (16).

UFC 302 Submission Savant

The fighter with probably the most quantity of profession submissions competing at UFC 302 is Dawson (13).

Winners And Losers

9 fighters are coming off wins, and 14 are coming off losses. One is coming off a draw (dos Santos)

Multi-Divisions

Listed below are the divisions that will likely be on show this Saturday:

• One Heavyweight combat
• Three Middleweight fights
• 4 Welterweights
• Two Light-weight fights
• One Flyweight combat
• One girls’s Bantamweight combat

Beta Canine

Based on DraftKings, UFC 302’s “greatest” underdog is Poirier at +470.

For full UFC 302 outcomes protection click on right here.