This Saturday, the UFC returns to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, a venue steeped in MMA history. Over the years, this arena has witnessed some unforgettable moments, from Georges St-Pierre’s triumph in 2010 to Jon Jones’ record-breaking achievement as the youngest champion a year later.
It was also the stage for epic battles, where champions like Renan Barão and Jose Aldo defended their titles, and emerging stars like Diego Lopes made their mark. Now, as the UFC visits “The Rock” for the tenth time, fans can expect UFC 302 to add another chapter to this iconic venue’s storied legacy.
Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier
The spotlight of UFC 302 shines on the highly anticipated main event featuring Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier. Both fighters are known for their impressive skill sets and tenacity in the octagon. Makhachev brings his elite grappling and all-around game, while Poirier is renowned for his striking power and resilience. Fans can catch this thrilling bout at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and watch it live on ESPN+ or ESPN2.
Other Highlights from the Main Card
Apart from the main event, the main card offers a series of exciting matchups. Sean Strickland goes toe-to-toe with the formidable Paulo Costa in what promises to be a clash of styles and wills. Kevin Holland faces off against Michal Oleksiejczuk, adding more intrigue to the night. Jailton Almeida will battle Alexandr Romanov and Randy Brown will take on Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos to round out the main card.
Preliminary Matches
The preliminary bouts set the stage for an action-packed night. Cesar Almeida faces Roman Kopylov, while Grant Dawson squares off against Joe Solecki. Phil Rowe is set to meet Jake Matthews in another thrilling contest. Niko Price will fight Alex Morono, and Mickey Gall will go up against Bassil Hafez in an exciting bout. Ailin Perez faces Joselyne Edwards, and Andre Lima battles Mitch Raposo, ensuring that fans have plenty of captivating fights to look forward to before the main card kicks off.
With such a stacked lineup, UFC 302 is set to deliver an unforgettable night of MMA action, and for those looking to get even more involved, bet on UFC fights to add an extra layer of excitement to each bout.
Main Event: Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier
In the main event of UFC 302, lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will defend his title against former interim champion Dustin Poirier. This fight marks Makhachev’s first title defense against a lightweight contender after successfully defeating Alexander Volkanovski twice in his first year as champion.
Makhachev’s impressive victories included outlasting Volkanovski in their first fight and earning the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings by a first-round knockout in their rematch. On the other side, Poirier is eager to capture the undisputed title after securing a second-round stoppage win over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299, which helped him recover from a previous knockout loss to Justin Gaethje.
The matchup presents a compelling contrast in styles, with Makhachev’s elite grappling going head-to-head against Poirier’s powerful striking. Fans are excited to see how this classic grappler versus striker showdown will unfold, and it promises to be a captivating conclusion to the evening in Newark.
The Takeaway
UFC 302 promises an epic clash between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier, highlighting a night full of exciting fights. Makhachev’s grappling skills will be tested against Poirier’s striking power, making the main event a must-watch.
With a strong lineup of undercard battles, the event at the Prudential Center ensures an action-packed night for MMA fans. Whether watching live at the arena or tuning in on ESPN+, viewers are in for a memorable evening.
This historic venue in Newark is set to host another unforgettable chapter in MMA history. Don’t miss the chance to witness these thrilling matchups!
