UFC 302 is almost upon us and nearly all of the pre-fight festivities have been wrapped up. After an intense build up all week, it is effectively all systems go before the big day. As such, before we can get to the fights, the weighs ins are always an important step during each fight week.
For those unaware, UFC 302 goes down this Saturday, June 1, from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. That said, let’s take a look at all that awaits the fans at this very special event. For one, the main event will witness lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) take on the veteran and former interim champ Dustin Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC).
These two have quite the resumes 😮💨#UFC302 | B2YB @JoseCuervo pic.twitter.com/YQqFrtror0
— UFC (@ufc) May 30, 2024
Similarly, the co-main event of the evening does not lag too far behind and will have former middleweight champion Sean Strickland (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) take on the Brazilian brawler Paulo Costa (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC). Further, the main card also features Kevin Holland, facing Michal Oleksiejczuk in his return to the middleweight division. Not only that, but there are a host of other exciting matchups scattered throughout the rest of the card as well.
UFC 302 official weigh-in results
Following the explosive press conference on Thursday, it was time for the weigh-ins. Whilst the official weigh-ins took place on Friday morning, the ceremonial weigh-ins will go ahead on Friday evening. As such, seeing that all fighters from UFC 302 have stepped on the scales already, let’s take a look at the results of the same. Notably, fighters have to make weight on the nose or exactly as per the limit, instead of the leeway of an additional pound offered to the athletes otherwise.
That said, Dustin Poirier and Islam Makhachev were among the first to weigh-in. Confirming the main event without any drama, it will certainly be a big relief for the UFC brass. That said, Paulo Costa, another notable troublemaker also made weight, with a lot of nervous tension around the room, seeing that he was the last fighter to step on the scales. Notably, there were no rough weight cuts like the one at UFC 301, earlier this month.
#UFC302 official weigh-ins are a wrap, with 25 of 26 fighters hitting their marks, including headliners Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier. ⚖️ pic.twitter.com/nzWIBXIyVB
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) May 31, 2024
Lastly, Andre Lima, who enjoyed a UFC-first bonus after winning his debut by way of a DQ, was the only fighter on the card to miss weight. As a result of coming in 4 lbs over the limit, his bout against Mitch Raposo, who is making his UFC debut on short notice, will now be a catchweight contest at UFC 302.
UFC 302 full card and updated bout order
With that out of the way, let’s take a look at all that awaits us on Saturday night at UFC 302. Naturally, the all-important headliner is one that will no doubt be a historical contest. Either Islam Makhachev defends his title for the third time, tying the all-time record, or Dustin Poirier fulfills his legacy of becoming an undisputed champion. Either way, the fight will be one of the ages.
Main Card
- Champ Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier – for the undisputed lightweight title
- Paulo Costa vs. Sean Strickland
- Kevin Holland vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
- Alex Morono vs. Niko Price
- Randy Brown vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
Update #UFC302
– New photo’s
– Price vs. Morono to the PPV.
– Almeida vs. Romanov to the prelims. pic.twitter.com/j4wN66LuKt— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) May 30, 2024
Preliminary Card
- Cesar Almeida vs. Roman Kopylov
- Jailton Almeida vs. Alexandr Romanov
- Grant Dawson vs. Joe Solecki
- Jake Matthews vs. Phil Rowe
Early Preliminary Card
- Bassil Hafez vs. Mickey Gall
- Joselyne Edwards vs. Ailin Perez
- Andre Lima vs. Mitch Raposo
To conclude, there will be one small change in the bout order for UFC 302. Previously, Jailton Almeida vs. Alexandr Romanov occupied the second fight spot on the main card but has now been shifted to the second-last fight on the preliminary card. Instead, Alex Morono vs. Niko Price will now take place on the main card.
