UFC News: Dustin Poirier Fights 2 Opponents at UFC 302

When Dustin Poirier faces Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 on June 1, he'll be battling not just his opponent but also some overwhelming statistics.

Ranking as high as +2200, Poirier's status as an underdog isn't made any easier by a so-called 'curse' which has befallen many fighters before him.

Dustin Poirier: Islam Makhachev Underestimating 'The Diamond' at UFC 302

We are referring to the over-35 curse, a UFC-specific statistic that has gripped the lighter men's divisions. Male fighters aged 35 and above in the welterweight division or below have a record of 2-24 in world title fights. Former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley owns those sole victories.

(view below for a full table of over-35 losses, welterweight & below)

Name	Weight Class	Age	Defeated by
Joseph Benavidez	FLW	35	Deiveson Figueiredo
Joseph Benavidez	FLW	35	Deiveson Figueiredo
Deiveson Figueiredo	FLW	35	Brandon Moreno
Urijah Faber	BW	35	Dominick Cruz
Dominick Cruz	BW	35	Henry Cejudo
TJ Dillashaw	BW	36	Aljamain Sterling
Henry Cejudo	BW	36	Aljamain Sterling
Kenny Florian	FW	37	José Aldo
Frankie Edgar	FW	37	Max Holloway
Korean Zombie	FW	35	Alex Volkanovski
Josh Emmett	FW	37	Yair Rodriguez
Alex Volkanovski	FW	35	Ilia Topuria
Tony Ferguson	LW	36	Justin Gaethje
Michael Chandler	LW	35	Charles Oliveira
Alex Volkanovski	LW	35	Islam Makhachev
Justin Gaethje (BMF)	LW	35	Max Holloway
Pat Miletich	WW	35	Carlos Newton
Gil Castilo	WW	37	Matt Hughes
Demian Maia	WW	39	Tyron Woodley
Jorge Masvidal	WW	35	Kamaru Usman
Jorge Masvidal	WW	36	Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman	WW	35	Leon Edwards
Kamaru Usman	WW	35	Leon Edwards
Colby Covington	WW	35	Leon Edwards

This means that if Poirier defeats Makhachev at UFC 302, he'll become the first ever lightweight fighter to win a title at 35 years-of-age. He'll also be the only fighter to win a title after losing in their first two attempts.

UFC 302 Preview: Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier, Strickland vs. Costa

UFC history can be made at UFC 302, and if anybody's going to do it, 'The Diamond' is a prime candidate.

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