UFC 302 is gearing up to be a showdown of epic proportions as Dustin Poirier takes on UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in New Jersey. With Poirier hungry for his first UFC title and Makhachev on an impressive thirteen-fight win streak, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Makhachev, boasting a formidable record of 14-1 with the UFC, clinched the lightweight title in 2022 by defeating Charles Oliveira. His dominance in the octagon has been a force to reckon with, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
On the other side of the cage, Poirier, with a record of 22-7 with one no-contest, is a former interim lightweight champion aiming to cement his legacy with a definitive title victory. His recent knockout win against Benoit Saint-Denis served as a powerful reminder of his capabilities and determination.
For Makhachev, Poirier represents a formidable challenge in the division. While two of his title defenses were against Alexander Volkanovski, Poirier presents a different caliber of opponent. Despite Poirier’s newfound strategy of aiming for guillotine victories, Makhachev remains confident in his grappling and submission skills, which have seen him secure eleven wins via submission.
In a recent interview with TMZ via MMA Junkie, Makhachev expressed his belief in his ability to overcome Poirier’s style: “Dustin, he is a warrior, legend – he has more than everybody experience in this sport. But his problem is his style. That’s the one problem this guy has. His weak point is wrestling and grappling, and I have the key for the easy fight.”
Makhachev’s confidence in his game plan, inspired by his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov’s style, suggests that he’s well-prepared for the challenge ahead.
As the anticipation builds for UFC 302, fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ PPV. From the prelims to the main card, the event promises to deliver electrifying moments that MMA enthusiasts won’t want to miss. So mark your calendars, secure your streaming options, and get ready for an unforgettable night of octagon action.
How to watch UFC 302 prelims
- Channel: ESPN
 - Live stream: Fubo | ESPN+
 
How to watch UFC 302 main card
- US: ESPN+ ($79.99 PPV fee plus $10.99/month membership)
 - UK: TNT Sports (£3.99/month or £39.99/year via discovery+)
 - Canada: DAZN ($69.99)
 - Watch from anywhere via NordVPN (30-day money-back guarantee)
 
UFC 302 fight card, odds
Main Card
- Islam Makhachev (c) (-500) vs. Dustin Poirier (+375) for the UFC lightweight title
 - Sean Strickland (-225) vs. Paulo Costa (+180); Middleweights
 - Kevin Holland (-250) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (+200); Middleweights
 - Alex Morono (-225) vs. Niko Price (+185); Welterweights
 - Randy Brown (-185) vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (+250); Welterweights
 
Prelims
- Jailton Almeida (-250) vs. Alexander Romanov (+200); Heavyweights
 - Roman Kopylov (-140) vs. Cesar Almeida (+115); Middleweights
 - Grant Dawson (-350) vs. Joe Solecki (+270); Lightweights
 - Jake Matthews (-150) vs. Philip Rowe (+125); Welterweights
 
Early Prelims
- Bassil Hafez (-300) vs. Mickey Gall (+240); Welterweights
 - Ailin Perez (-200) vs. Joselyne Edwards (+165); Bantamweights
 - Mitch Raposo (+200) vs. Andre Lima (250); Flyweights
 
UFC 302 start time
- Date: Saturday, June 1
 - Time: 10 p.m. ET (8 p.m. ET for prelims) | 3:00 a.m BST (Sun) | 12:00 p.m. AEST (Sun)
 - Location: Prudential Center — Newark, New Jersey
 
Upcoming UFC TV schedule
| Date | Event | Location | How to watch | 
| June 1, 2024 | UFC 302: Makhachev vs. Poirier | Prudential Center, Newark, USA | ESPN+ | 
| June 8, 2024 | Cannonier vs. Imavov | KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, USA | ESPN+ | 
| June 15, 2024 | Perez vs. Taira | UFC APEX, Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ | 
| June 22, 2024 | Whittaker vs. Chimaev | Kingdom Arena, Saudi Arabia | ESPN+, ABC | 
| June 29, 2024 | UFC 303: McGregor vs. Chandler | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, USA | ESPN+ |