Both main card bouts at UFC 300 carried minor title implications, although the winners will not be given another crack at the championship. Dana White announced on June 1 that UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey, will feature a main event pitting UFC lightweight title Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier.
UFC President Dana White declared Makhachev vs. Poirier on Saturday at the UFC 300 post-fight news conference. As Poirier, a former interim champion, aims to capitalize on his third opportunity at undisputed gold, Makhachev will mount his third defense.
Makhachev has won 13 straight fights, most recently securing a second victory against Alexander Volkanovski. Poirier defeated Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 to avenge his defeat to Justin Gaethje.
Even though other competitors in the division had a stronger claim to the title fight, Makhachev called out Poirier for June. White had previously declared Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan a championship eliminator; however, Tsarukyan appears to have to wait after taking home a split decision on Saturday. Another problem is that Poirier lost to Gaethje and Oliveira in his last two fights, which took place at UFC 300.
MMA Fans React To Dana White Giving UFC 302 Makhachev vs Poirier
At UFC 302, Michael Chandler anticipates Dustin Poirier to lose, dropping to 0-3 in undisputed title matches.
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When Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) confronts Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on June 1, he will have another chance to realize a lifelong ambition. This is a fortunate chance for “The Diamond,” who defeated Benoit Saint Denis via knockout at UFC 299 in March after suffering a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje earlier this year.
However, Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) doesn’t think it’s working out for him.
UFC shared on Instagram, “UFC 302 is looking good and you better be ready”.
MMA Fans responded to the post with various comments like:
“Tickets are astronomical already. $850 for nosebleeds 😢”
“Strickland by racism and Islam by coaching from Khabib”
“Dustin just got KO’D by Justin imagine going against Islam.”
“Anyone have a presale code?”
“Imagine the cost of these tickets tho”
Chandler has never faced Makhachev in combat, but at UFC 281 in November 2022, Poirier submitted him in the third round. Since then, the two have engaged in some trash talk, but Chandler insists his analysis is unbiased.
He believes Makhachev, who is ranked No. 2 in the most recent pound-for-pound rankings from USA TODAY Sports and MMA Junkie, to be the better fighter.
Also Read: Dana White Gets Blasted for Announcing UFC 302 Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier Light Title Fight
