Saturday’s UFC 302 in Newark was the first of two Pay-Per-View cards in the month of June for the UFC, with one of its most hallowed titles on the line in the main event.
Carrying a 13-fight win streak with him into New Jersey was Islam Makhachev, now firmly established as lightweight champ and carrying the torch for teammate/coach and UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov. Opposite him, an old rival of Khabib, Dustin Poirier, looking at his third and likely final shot at undisputed gold (Poirier had previously claimed an interim title in his second fight with Max Holloway).
Retirement loomed for Poirier, win or lose, he had openly said as much. Likely more so with a loss, of course, as it was hard to see him choosing to retire off a win and not attempt to defend the title. As for Makhachev, a victory would further his already impressive legacy, but also potentially open the door for a shot at Leon Edwards’ welterweight belt, should he defeat Belal Muhammad, a sometimes-training partner of the lightweight champ, in July.
Following Saturday’s UFC 302, tune in for the post-fight press conference to stay on top of all the night’s big storylines and developments. A live stream can be viewed above.
