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Poirier’s Last Stand: UFC 302 Preview & Predictions

Dustin Poirier challenges Islam Makhachev for the undisputed lightweight championship at UFC 302
Justin Barrasso|

Either Gold or... Retirement for Dustin Poirier

NEWARK, NJ–The prelude to the return of Conor McGregor takes place tonight at UFC 302. With so much attention focused on McGregor, this card, fittingly, features two of his fiercest rivals.

Islam Makhachev, who will be cornered by Khabib Nurmagomedov, defends his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier in the UFC 302 main event. Makhachev enters a massive favorite, and the safe bet for this bout is it ends with Poirier tapping–and then retiring.

There is a path to victory for Poirier: standing and striking. But why would Makhachev entertain that approach when he can break Poirier on the ground?

Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier
Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier | Zuffa LLC

Makhachev (25-1) is a master of this sport. He has won 13 straight fights, and he is looking for his third straight title defense. Three of his last five opponents took the fight on short notice, and Makhachev then ripped them apart in the cage. Poirier (30-8, 1 NC) was effectively removed from title contention after getting knocked out last summer by Justin Gaethje. But Gaethje opted not to fight Makhachev on short notice last fall, the same decision Arman Tsarukyan made this spring. After defeating Benoit Saint Denis in March, Poirier had to accept this bout as it is his last chance at the undisputed title.

So Makhachev enters, again, with an advantage. His day will come and there will be a time where he is outclassed in the cage, but it will not be tonight.

Makhachev should be too much for Poirier, who will hopefully get the chance to go down swinging.

The Pick ‘Em Section

UFC 302 lightweight title bout: Islam Makhachev (c) vs. Dustin Poirier

  • Pick: Islam Makhachev

UFC 302 middleweight bout: Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa

  • Pick: Sean Strickland

UFC 302 middleweight bout: Kevin Holland vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk

  • Pick: Kevin Holland

UFC 302 welterweight bout: Niko Price vs. Alex Morono

  • Pick: Alex Morono

UFC 302 welterweight bout: Elizeu Zaleski vs. Randy Brown

  • Pick: Elizeu Zaleski

UFC 302 heavyweight bout: Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Romanov

  • Pick: Jailton Almeida

Two weeks ago: 4-1

2024 record: 50-43

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Justin Barrasso
JUSTIN BARRASSO

Justin Barrasso has been writing for Sports Illustrated since 2014. While his primary focus is pro wrestling and MMA, he has also covered MLB, NBA, and the NFL. He can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.

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