June 1 is the beginning of meteorological summer season. In MMA circles, June 1 begins the summer season of aggressive violence. The game’s high promotion, the UFC, begins off this three-month stretch of motion with the primary of two pay-per-view occasions within the month of the summer season solstice.
On June 29, Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) squares off in opposition to Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC), previously the Bellator MMA Light-weight Champion, in a nontitle showcase affair at welterweight from Las Vegas’ T-Cellular Enviornment in UFC 303. This Saturday night time, nevertheless, Newark, NJ is the epicenter of the MMA world when Prudential Heart performs host to UFC 302.
Barring any late postponements between now and the weekend, the ultimate model of UFC 302 encompasses a full 12-fight card. Dwell protection begins with the early prelims at 6:30 pm ET/ 3:30 pm PT on UFC Fight Pass and ESPN+, persevering with at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT with the late prelims, however right here’s this programming word should you’re watching on linear tv:
The UFC 302 late prelims will probably be seen Saturday night time on ESPN2, with ESPN correct being occupied by protection of the 2024 NCAA Division I Ladies’s School World Sequence and NCAA Division I Baseball Event from 7 pm ET/ 4 pm PT onwards. Primary card motion concludes the night on ESPN+ pay-per-view at 10 pm ET/ 7 pm PT.
Light-weight Championship at Stake in UFC 302 Primary Occasion
Highlighting the night time’s actions is the battle for the UFC Light-weight Championship within the UFC 302 foremost occasion. Present champion Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) squares off in opposition to challenger and No. 4 contender Dustin Poirier (30-8, 1 NC MMA, 22-7, 1 NC UFC).
As with all UFC championship fights, the UFC 302 foremost occasion is an marketed 5 rounds at 5 minutes per spherical to shut the present.
Blissful #WallpaperWednesday 📱
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— UFC (@ufc) May 29, 2024
UFC 302 Primary Occasion Fighter Comparability and Betting Odds
Heading into the UFC 302 foremost occasion on Saturday night time, Islam Makhachev stands because the taller man at 5-foot-10, in comparison with Dustin Poirier’s 5-foot-9 body. Poirier owns a 1 1/2-inch attain benefit (72 inches even to 70 1/2 inches) over Makhachev, with the contestants proudly owning an identical 40 1/2-inch leg reaches.
At the moment, the oddsmakers have Islam Makhachev put in as a -650 favourite on the cash line, with Dustin Poirier countering as a +470 underdog. Should you plan on betting on this or another combat taking place this weekend, please wager responsibly.
Makhachev Doesn’t Care Who’s Subsequent Man Up
Islam Makhachev enters the UFC 302 foremost occasion having gone 5-0 in his final 5 appearances. All advised, he comes into the weekend on a 13-fight profitable streak.
Final day trip, he stopped Alexander Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) with a first-round knockout (head kick adopted by hammerfists) throughout UFC 294 final October. Whereas Dustin Poirier is on Makhachev’s dance card this weekend, he’s already looking forward to his combat after the UFC 302 foremost occasion, as he mentioned on NBC Sports activities’ Octagons, Circles, and Squares podcast.
“I’m simply interested by my subsequent combat,” the champion said. “It’s not my job interested by the long run as a result of I’ve a supervisor. I’ve a workforce. I’m combating within the UFC. They make the choice. Who they put in opposition to me, I will probably be prepared.”
Pondering forward to the following combat is a harmful thought for any competitor. Wanting too far forward may very well be a distraction for Makhachev as Dustin Poirier looms on Saturday night time.
Can he deal with the right here and now for the UFC 302 foremost occasion? Solely time will inform.
Will Poirier Hold Up His Gloves?
Within the different nook, challenger Dustin Poirier has posted a report of 3-2 in his final 5 contests. Most just lately, he bested Benoit Saint-Denis (13-2, 1 NC MMA, 5-2 UFC) with a second-round knockout (proper hook) throughout UFC 299 again in March.
A giant storyline heading into the UFC 302 foremost occasion is the likelihood that Poirier may make his last stroll to the famed UFC Octagon on Saturday night time, one thing that he talked to CBS Sports about final week.
“I’m able to something,” Poirier started. “I can climb again to this spot and combat once more for the world title. I can do something. I can grind again to it. I do know I can. It’s simply that I don’t have it in me, and I’m not going to do it once more. I’m not going to climb the ladder once more. I’ve been doing this a very long time. It’s a really egocentric sport. I’m able to be a father and a husband and be house and be right into a routine.”
Whereas Dustin Poirier’s standing past the UFC 302 foremost occasion on Saturday night time continues to be a query, a victory over Makhachev would definitely be a profession spotlight.
Evaluation, Movie Research, and Prediction
Stylistically, the UFC 302 foremost occasion appears to be like to favor Islam Makhachev, a Grasp of Sport in Fight Sambo, in comparison with Dustin Poirier’s standing as a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Makhachev Can End the Job Rapidly
Statistically talking, Islam Makhachev has scored 16 of his 25 profession wins by means of stoppage, together with his most up-to-date win vs. Volkanovski final fall. When Makhachev seizes management of the combat, it might solely be a matter of moments earlier than the competition ends.
In the course of the first spherical of a scheduled 5, as soon as the fighters received to the clinch, Makhachev landed some knees to the physique earlier than Volkanovski counterpunched. After Volkanovski broke free, Makhachev scored with a leg kick after which stalked his opponent, lastly touchdown an ideal kick to the pinnacle to knock him down, ending him with hammerfists.
Ought to Islam Makhachev come out like a home on hearth within the UFC 302 foremost occasion, this one may very well be a wrap in a rush, girls and gents.
Poirier Can Flip The Script
Within the different nook, look ahead to Dustin Poirier to battle again if he must. Throughout his final look vs. Saint-Denis, he efficiently reversed his personal fortune.
After withstanding a submission try from his opponent in spherical two, Poirier labored his manner again to a clinch and absorbed physique punches by Saint-Denis earlier than returning hearth with counter strikes, scoring a knockdown.
Whereas Saint-Denis tried one other guillotine choke, this proved to be a moot level due to Poirier touchdown a single punch to the pinnacle to knock him out. If Dustin Poirier finds himself on the receiving finish of a burst of strikes from Islam Makhachev, he needn’t fear. He is aware of what to do and how you can do it.
Remaining Ideas
Despite the fact that the UFC 302 foremost occasion might or might not be Dustin Poirier’s combat, should you’re on the fence about ordering the cardboard, give it a attempt.
Prediction: Dustin Poirier by Second-Spherical TKO.
