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

After a uncommon weekend off, the Final Combating Championship (UFC) returns for its sixth pay-per-view (PPV) present because the promotion heads to Prudential Heart in Newark, N.J. In UFC 302’s principal 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 (because of UFC 300), it does have some enjoyable fights up and down the cardboard, making the environment unimaginable. 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, by which Aljamain Sterling defeated Henry Cejudo through cut up resolution.

First True Protection

Makhachev will technically be defending his Light-weight championship for the third time on Saturday, however it should 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 might 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 Probability?

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

Retirement?

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

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

“I hate it for the concept that it might 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 file 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 quite a bit for the previous six years, averaging about one struggle per 12 months. Nonetheless, pinch me as a result of Costa is definitely now lively! The Brazilian is combating twice this 12 months for the primary time since 2017, the place he fought 3 times, going undefeated (3-0) with three finishes.

Bounce Again

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

No. 1 Contender?

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

In the meantime, Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya is predicted 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 cut 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 driving a two-fight shedding streak — is shifting again to Middleweight, the place he had way more success. Fortunately, this isn’t a everlasting transfer — it was a short-notice alternative to struggle. He faces Poland’s Michal Oleksiejczuk on the PPV principal card.

Rematch!

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

Since their first struggle, each athletes have had up-and-down careers. Value 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 principal card in opposition to surging Welterweight Randy Brown. Dos Santos is coming off a draw in opposition to Rinat Fakhretdinov, however is driving 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 bought 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 huge step up in competitors.

The struggle 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 may be all the time an opportunity {that a} struggle between two grapplers will flip right into a putting contest, however hopefully, the 2 gigantic Heavyweights will exhibit 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 observe 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 struggle, 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 driving a two-fight shedding streak and is at the moment 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 event, 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 severe unhealthy blood main into this scrap.

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

UFC 302 Struggle Chief

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

UFC 302 Struggle 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 might be on show this Saturday:

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

Beta Canine

In keeping with DraftKings, UFC 302’s “largest” underdog is Poirier at +470.

For full UFC 302 outcomes protection click on right here.