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Tag: UFC 302

  • Mickey Gall: UFC 302 Fight First Time Competing Without A Broken Back In Four Years

    Mickey Gall: UFC 302 Fight First Time Competing Without A Broken Back In Four Years

    Mickey Gall hasn’t appeared inside the UFC Octagon for over two years having gone under the knife for surgery. As it turns out, such a layoff was long overdue.

    Gall, who is well known for handing CM Punk a crushing defeat in his MMA debut back in 2016, is set to make his comeback on the early preliminary card of the UFC 302 numbered event this weekend.

    The 32-year-old heads to the Prudential Center in Newark off the back of a lengthy recovery. That’s after committing to surgery following his knockout loss to Mike Malott at UFC 273 in April 2022.

    That result left Gall on a two-fight losing skid and 3-5 across eight fights since extending his then-undefeated record to 4-0 with a victory over Sage Northcutt more than seven years ago.

    But while the New Jersey native has struggled with consistency for a long time, he’s revealed that the past four years of his career have played out alongside a serious injury.

    UFC 302’s Gall Fought Through Back Break That Left Him Unable To Sit

    During a recent fight week interview with UFC.com, Gall previewed his return to action at UFC 302 and looked back on his layoff, as well as the losing form that came before it.

    The once-highly touted prospect revealed that the most recent stage of his career had played out in spite of intense struggles from a broken back. Having finally decided upon surgery and a pause in competition, Gall is back and feeling better than ever.

    “I’m feeling good,” Gall said. “I had back surgery, so I haven’t fought in over two years. I’ve competed for four years with a broken back. Now that that’s done, I feel better than I ever have. So I’m excited to show my full potential.

    “I was so limited before. I was trying to avoid the surgery ’cause I wanted to keep fighting and people were like, ‘Surgery, that could be career-ending.’ But it got to a point where I couldn’t sit down,” Gall continued. “It was tough. Camp went great. I’m not limited anymore. I was limited in my rotation and certain movements. Now, I had a great camp… I feel better than I ever have, truly.” 

    Gall will look to show his improved condition on Saturday night by getting the better of Bassil Hafez. Following a narrow loss to Jack Della Maddalena on debut last year, Hafez is looking to get in the winner’s circle on MMA’s biggest stage for the very first time.

    The bout also presents an opportunity for some slight redemption for Gall, as he was defeated by his UFC 302 opponent at a local grappling tournament a decade ago.

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Dustin Poirier’s Beatdown Of Eddie Alvarez In Main Event Rematch Ahead Of UFC 302

    UFC Full Fight: Relive Dustin Poirier’s Beatdown Of Eddie Alvarez In Main Event Rematch Ahead Of UFC 302

    UFC 302 headliner Dustin Poirier got the better of former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez with an absolute onslaught in Calgary six years ago.

    The former interim UFC champion at 155 pounds will feature in the main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view card in Newark, New Jersey, where he’s tasked with bringing the reign of Islam Makhachev to an end in the Dagestani’s third defense.

    Poirier is now approaching his third shot at undisputed glory and fourth divisional title fight overall. To earn his first — a win over Max Holloway to capture the interim belt — “The Diamond” battered Alvarez in a Canada-held UFC main event.

    After an illegal knee from the former champ led to their first showdown concluding in a controversial no contest, Poirier left no doubt about his superiority over “The Underground King” when they ran it back.

    In the headlining act on July 28, 2018, both men picked things up after a pedestrian first round, but it was the Louisianan’s strikes that really found a home. Alvarez hung on and absorbed a brutal onslaught before eventually being stopped with 55 seconds remaining in the second frame.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Poirier vs. Alvarez rematch from UFC on Fox 30 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWc1FU115xs

    “The Diamond” will hope to put in a similar performance en route to a long-awaited undisputed title crowning in this weekend’s UFC 302 headliner. 

    Win or lose, the Louisianan has suggested that the June 1 clash in Newark could mark his final appearance inside the Octagon as an active competitor. With that, he could close out his career by checking the final box on his list of accomplishments.

  • MMA News Today: Islam Makhachev Explains Why He Doesn’t Have A Nickname, Dustin Poirier Flexes Impressive Knowledge Of Lightweight Division By Naming Every Champion, & More

    MMA News Today: Islam Makhachev Explains Why He Doesn’t Have A Nickname, Dustin Poirier Flexes Impressive Knowledge Of Lightweight Division By Naming Every Champion, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For May 30, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Makhachev doesn’t mind being the odd one out
    • Poirier takes on a 155-pound history lesson
    • Strickland isn’t happy with the UFC

    Islam Makhachev Is Happy To Fly The Flag For Fighters That Don’t Have A Nickname

    Over the past few years where he has been dominant at the top of the lightweight division, Islam Makhachev’s personality has started to come out more.

    The same could be said for Khabib Nurmagomedov who also saw his sense of humour translate more and more as his English improved.

    Makhachev is very much the same and whilst he is incredibly calm and soft spoken, he’s often sarcastic and funny.

    During a recent episode of his podcast, AKA head coach Javier Mendez spoke about how people are getting to know what his fighter is like behind the scenes more.

    He said that he even asked the champion about why he doesn’t have a nickname that would allow people to connect with him even more.

    In Mendez’ words, Makhachev is happy to be the outlier and represent for the fighters that don’t have a moniker.

    “I asked him ‘hey, everybody’s got a nickname, someone’s got this, cowboy, Khabib’s got the eagle, this and that, what about you?’ And he said ‘well, somebody’s got to hold the trend for no name so let that be me, they can have the names, I’ll be the guy that starts a no name. Everybody has a name so why not me have no name, just my name’.”     

    Dustin Poirier Correctly Names Every UFC Lightweight Champion Before Attempting To Become One Himself

    In a video posted by the UFC ahead of his clash with Islam Makhachev this weekend, Dustin Poirier showed his MMA knowledge.

    In Newark, he will look to add his name to the list of fighters that have reigned as the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.

    Before fight night comes around, “The Diamond” was tasked with naming every fighter that has held the 155-pound gold.

    Poirier was impressively able to name all 12 and wasn’t far off doing it totally in order but he did need to circle back to a few at some points.

    The next challenger was able to correctly trace back the belt all the way from Jens Pulver being the inaugural champion to modern day, passing by the likes of BJ Penn, Anthony Pettis and Conor McGregor along the way.

    One name that did give him some pause as the last one he needed to name was Charles Oliveira who he challenged for the belt back at UFC 269.

    Sean Strickland Vents Frustrations With The UFC: “It Doesn’t Do The Right Things”

    With UFC 302 fight week in full flow, it was only a matter of time before Sean Strickland picked his first target to take a shot at.

    The often controversial former middleweight champion is usually found slandering other fighters or even media members but this time around, he chose to get something off his chest.

    In an interview with Daniel Cormier, Strickland spoke out about the UFC itself and how in his opinion, they don’t try to do right by the fighters.

    He was clearly still frustrated by the rocky negotiations for his fight this weekend against Paulo Costa and this isn’t likely be the last time that we hear about it.

    “Here’s the thing, sometimes you’ve gotta be ready to f*cking throw away your entire career if you don’t get your sh*t,” Strickland said. “Just doing the f*cking right things, man. The UFC doesn’t do the right things. It doesn’t f*cking do the right things. It doesn’t do the right things with most of the roster.

    “If you go look at what these f*cks, the guys that run the UFC, what they’re making and what (fighters) get paid, it’s f*cking sh*t, dude. The UFC does not do the f*cking right things,” Strickland continued. “Unless you hold them at gunpoint, they aren’t gonna do it. But that’s all business these days. All these f*cking corporations are f*cking leeches, dude. Look at the working man’s f*cking (pay) gap, bro. My gap is a lot f*cking smalled than your guys’ gap, but that’s how it works. These corporations are just f*cking sucky.”

    Read more on the story here.

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  • UFC Legend Frankie Edgar Describes Seeing Islam Makhachev’s Training In New Jersey: ‘All The Stories About Him Are True…’

    UFC Legend Frankie Edgar Describes Seeing Islam Makhachev’s Training In New Jersey: ‘All The Stories About Him Are True…’

    Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar knows the challenge awaiting Dustin Poirier having witnessed Islam Makhachev’s recent preparation firsthand. 

    Makhachev is a couple of days out from his third defense of the 155-pound title and first against an established contender in the division. In the main event of UFC 302, the Dagestani will meet the challenge of Poirier.

    The bout comes after the champ cemented his grip on the crown in 2023 with two victories over then-featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski, the second of which came by way of a brutal knockout in Abu Dhabi.

    While Makhachev had the crowd on his side in the Middle East, those inside Newark’s Prudential Center will no doubt be cheering for his opposition come fight night, as one of the sport’s biggest fan favorites looks to reach the throne at the third time of trying.

    According to one former champ, however, Makhachev is unlikely to be unseated anytime soon…

    Edgar Sees Makhachev Remaining UFC Lightweight King ‘For A While’

    During a recent interview with John Morgan for Grind City Media, Edgar spoke about his experience training alongside Makhachev and his team at Nick Catone MMA & Fitness in New Jersey.

    While “The Answer” didn’t delve into the details of Makhachev’s pre-fight work, he did note that those who’ve lauded Makhachev’s talent were certainly not exaggerating.

    “I’m just hanging out with these guys, trying to take as much knowledge as I can while they’re down,” Edgar said. “I got them set up with the right people (in New Jersey)… It’s cool just to rub off on these guys, man. They train amazing, you know, bunch of good guys… It was a cool experience for everybody.

    “He’s an animal, man. I’m not gonna say really what goes on behind closed doors, but watching him against some of the guys he’s sparring is impressive,” Edgar continued. “All the stories about him are true, if that makes sense.”

    Edgar also made an appearance in episode three of the UFC 302 Embedded: Vlog Series, further laying praise on Makhachev’s training and ability.

    “It’s go time for these guys. They’re all zeroing in,” Edgar stated. “Islam, he’s just a freak. I see him having this belt for a while.”

    Makhachev will look to prove Edgar, his supporters, and the oddsmakers right this weekend at UFC 302 by becoming the third individual to stall the championship ambitions of Poirier.

  • Dustin Poirier Has More Regrets About Charles Oliveira Title Loss Than Khabib Defeat: ‘I Was Just Outmatched’

    Dustin Poirier Has More Regrets About Charles Oliveira Title Loss Than Khabib Defeat: ‘I Was Just Outmatched’

    UFC 302 title challenger Dustin Poirier is under no illusion about Khabib Nurmagomedov’s superiority on the night of September 7, 2019.

    Poirier is currently days away from his third crack at reaching the undisputed lightweight throne on MMA’s biggest stage, He’s set to challenge the reign of Islam Makhachev in the main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view.

    Inside Newark’s Prudential Center, “The Diamond” will look to avoid falling to the fate he did opposite Khabib in 2019 and Charles Oliveira two years later. In both the unification showdown with the Dagestani and title bid against the Brazilian, Poirier was submitted in round three.

    While the results read almost exactly the same on paper, the Louisianan fan favorite looks back on them very differently…

    Poirier Acknowlegdes He Wasn’t Ready To Handle Khabib’s Skills In 2019 Title Shot

    During a recent fight week interview with ESPN MMA, Poirier previewed what could serve as both his final championship opportunity and last fight overall as an active competitor in the Octagon.

    When assessing his previous title failures, “The Diamond” was asked whether he regrets certain moments in his defeats to “The Eagle” and “Do Bronx” in Abu Dhabi and Las Vegas, respectively. 

    “The Khabib fight, not really,” Poirier said. “Obviously I wish I would have performed better and won. But I was just outmatched, outgunned. I can say that honestly with where I’m at with my life and in fighting. I’m comfortable with saying that. I just wasn’t prepared the way I needed to be for what he was bringing.

    “In the Charles fight, there’s more things that I look back at and say, ‘Damn, I shouldn’t have done that… I wish that didn’t happen,’” Poirier continued. “Yeah (mystique played a part against Khabib). I felt that the first time I fought Conor (McGregor) as well. I think I’m past that, the aura of people… fighting not only the person, but the crowd, the media, the critics. I don’t have that anymore. I’m fighting Islam.”

    Following Saturday night, Poirier will be hoping to look back on his third chance at achieving undisputed champ status more positively.

    That will be no easy feat, however, with Makhachev shooting for a record-tying third successful title defense in the UFC 302 main event as a heavy favorite.

  • Sean Strickland Slams UFC Higher-Ups After Calling Out Low Offer For Paulo Costa Fight: ‘All These Corporations Are F**king Leeches’

    Sean Strickland Slams UFC Higher-Ups After Calling Out Low Offer For Paulo Costa Fight: ‘All These Corporations Are F**king Leeches’

    Sean Strickland thinks you’d need to put a gun to the UFC’s head in order for the promotion to do the right things.

    That sentiment came from Strickland’s first outspoken moment of fight week for this Saturday’s UFC 302 pay-per-view, where the former middleweight champion is tasked with getting the better of Paulo Costa in a five-round co-headliner.

    Having lost the title to Dricus Du Plessis this past January, “Tarzan” was firm in calling for an immediate rematch. And it seems things didn’t go smoothly when the promotion slid a different bout agreement across his desk.

    After reports emerged of Strickland and Costa’s targeted showdown in Newark on June 1, the former took to social media to insist that nothing was official due to the UFC offering an unacceptable sum.

    That issue evidently got sorted and Strickland will indeed make the walk at Prudential Center this weekend. But his frustrations don’t appear to have fully dissipated…

    Strickland: Look At What The Guys Who Run The UFC Earn!

    During a recent interview with Daniel Cormier during UFC 302 fight week, Strickland looked ahead to his clash with Costa and spoke on his public complaints during negotiations for the fight.

    Strickland unsurprisingly didn’t avoid stepping beyond the company line, slamming the UFC as just another corporation headed by “leeches” who avoid acting correctly to most fighters.

    “Here’s the thing, sometimes you’ve gotta be ready to f*cking throw away your entire career if you don’t get your sh*t,” Strickland said. “Just doing the f*cking right things, man. The UFC doesn’t do the right things. It doesn’t f*cking do the right things. It doesn’t do the right things with most of the roster. 

    “If you go look at what these f*cks, the guys that run the UFC, what they’re making and what (fighters) get paid, it’s f*cking sh*t, dude. The UFC does not do the f*cking right things,” Strickland continued. “Unless you hold them at gunpoint, they aren’t gonna do it. But that’s all business these days. All these f*cking corporations are f*cking leeches, dude. Look at the working man’s f*cking (pay) gap, bro. My gap is a lot f*cking smalled than your guys’ gap, but that’s how it works. These corporations are just f*cking sucky.”

    Strickland is never far from the headlines during his fight weeks. While that was the case for UFC 297 earlier this year due to his tirade against a reporter who questioned his past anti-LGBTQ comments, the promotion itself is the entity coming under fire days out from UFC 302.

    It remains to be seen what Strickland will produce while on the microphone at Thursday’s press conference, or while throwing down with Costa inside the Octagon.

  • Conor McGregor Lays Into ‘Scruffy C**t’ Islam Makhachev After UFC 302 Fight Week Photos Spark Staph Concerns

    Conor McGregor Lays Into ‘Scruffy C**t’ Islam Makhachev After UFC 302 Fight Week Photos Spark Staph Concerns

    Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor was ready to give his uncensored thoughts on a recent discussion regarding Islam Makhachev.

    Makhachev, who has reigned supreme over the lightweight division since his title-winning victory over Charles Oliveira in 2022, is set to make his first appearance of the year this weekend.

    In the main event of the UFC 302 pay-per-view in Newark, New Jersey, the Dagestani will put his belt on the line for the third time. After back-to-back defenses against Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier is next in line for a shot at dethroning Makhachev.

    Given McGregor’s in-cage history with Poirier and hostile relationship with Makhachev’s team owing to his bitter rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov, it was always likely that the Irishman would be piping up this week.

    And courtesy of the champ’s official fight week photos, the outspoken McGregor was handed a talking point…

    McGregor Reaches Conclusion On Makhachev Photos

    The release of Makhachev’s photos in fight gear immediately drew concerns over a possible staph infection on his left leg. 

    Such a scenario would be déjà vu vu for Poirier, whose most recent opponent, Benoît Saint Denis, was on antibiotics to fight staph during UFC 299 fight week this past March. 

    McGregor followed his usual trend, taking to social media with a slew of verbal attacks directed at Makhachev, whom he branded a “scruffy c**t.” He also called the champ “imbred,” an insult he’s frequently directed at his Dagestani rivals.

    The Dubliner did, however, still predict a quick triumph for Makhachev come fight night.

    “Staph again. This inbred lives with Staph,” McGregor wrote. “This team is infested, make no mistake. Scruff balls. Whatever ya’s are into, I suppose. He still subs Dustin in the 1st.”

    In a follow-up post, McGregor continued his tirade with a reminder on the importance of washing mats after training sessions.

    “Yous absolute scruffy f**ks I’m sick of yous,” McGregor added. “Wash your f**king self! Wash your clothes! Wash your mats! And do it f*cking everyday you scruffy c**nts

    McGregor’s upcoming return to action has led to some discussion about the rivalry between the Irishman and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team reopening.

    Should Makhachev retain his grip on the lightweight crown this weekend and McGregor make a statement in his comeback fight opposite Chandler, many are predicting that the UFC will look to pair them opposite one another down the line.

  • Islam Makhachev’s Coach Outlines Why He Feels Dustin Poirier’s Calf Kicks Won’t Be ‘As Big A Deal’ In UFC 302 Fight

    Islam Makhachev’s Coach Outlines Why He Feels Dustin Poirier’s Calf Kicks Won’t Be ‘As Big A Deal’ In UFC 302 Fight

    A lot of the talk surrounding Dustin Poirier’s best chances of winning the lightweight title at UFC 302 are about his boxing.

    Of course, keeping the fight standing against someone like Islam Makhachev will not be easy, not to mention the champion’s always improving striking game.

    But if there is one clear area that “The Diamond” has the advantage in, it’s his speed, accuracy, timing and power when letting his hands go.

    Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez recognised this in a recent interview whilst talking about another key area that Poirier may have an advantage in.

    Javier Mendez Says He Isn’t Worried About Dustin Poirier’s Leg Kicks At UFC 302

    When asked during an interview on the Weighing In podcast where he feels that Poirier holds any advantages in this fight, Mendez obviously mentioned Poirier’s boxing.

    Another one of the challenger’s best weapons is his low calf kick which he then uses to set up his boxing combinations.

    These were especially crucial in his previous two fights with Conor McGregor which really showed how Poirier is able to use these two main weapons in unison.

    It’s something that Mendez and the coaches are very wary of but they’re not necessarily concerned about ahead of this fight.

    The American Kickboxing Academy coach said that Makhachev isn’t an easy target for leg kicks, let alone the potential of him being able to secure a takedown if he catches Poirier off balance.

    “Low calf kick is dangerous from him also, very very dangerous because he likes to throw it. But Islam is actually fairly adapt at low calf kicks so it’s not going to be as big a deal unless he catches a good one, which could happen. It could happen but Islam knows how to defend the low calf kick.”    

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Paulo Costa’s Bloody Brawl With Luke Rockhold Ahead Of UFC 302 Return

    UFC 302 co-headliner Paulo Costa’s latest triumph inside the Octagon came in memorable and bloody fashion almost two years ago. 

    “Borrachinha” will feature in the co-main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view card in Newark, New Jersey, where he’s tasked with getting the better of fellow contender and former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland.

    Costa made his return from a lengthy layoff this past February, squaring off against Robert Whittaker at UFC 298 in Anaheim. The highly entertaining affair came 18 months on from his previous outing at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City in Utah.

    On that night, the Brazilian welcomed former titleholder Luke Rockhold back to action. While the altitude saw fatigue heavily affect their showdown, the three-round affair still featured a number of notable moments, chief among them being the veteran’s gruesome wipe of his bloody face on Costa in the dying moments.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Costa vs. Rockhold fight from UFC 278 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xajbQsU0tJU

    Be it in a similar fashion or a more comfortable one, Costa will be fully focused on having his hand raised inside the Octagon again this weekend inside Newark’s Prudential Center.

    And given that Strickland entered this year with the gold in his possession, such a feat would no doubt leave the Brazilian within touching distance of a second opportunity at achieving champ status on MMA’s biggest stage.

  • Sean Strickland’s Difference In Approach Between Adesanya & DDP Fights Pointed Out Ahead Of Paulo Costa Contest: ‘It Changed Him…’

    Sean Strickland was able to shock the world with his middleweight title win and dominant performance against Israel Adesanya.

    He came in a huge underdog at UFC 293 and was able to successfully implement his style in order to cause all kinds of problems for “The Last Stylebender”.

    Whilst his first title defense was still a closely contended fight, Dricus Du Plessis didn’t have many of the same problems when facing Strickland at UFC 297.

    The challenger still struggled to land anything clean on the champion and of course, styles make fights so he was able to threaten with his grappling more.

    There may be lessons that can be learned from these two fights about Strickland’s trajectory which could end up being crucial in his return this weekend.

    ‘Big’ John McCarthy Says Sean Strickland Needs To Find His Groove Against Paulo Costa 

    At UFC 302, Strickland will face Paulo Costa in the co-main event over five rounds in Newark, New Jersey

    The former champion certainly has some attributes that he may be able to use effectively in this fight but there was also one concern that has been highlighted.

    On the latest episode of the Weighing In podcast, “Big” John McCarthy spoke about how the pressure on Strickland changed massively between UFC 293 and 297.

    McCarthy believes that against Du Plessis, the champion at the time was too reserved and cautious at times and as a result, was unable to control the fight or bully his opponent.

    Forcing a dangerous striker like Costa to back up versus letting him dictate the range and pace could be absolutely vital for Strickland as he attempts to bounce back.

    “The real question is, and you bring up the Izzy fight, I thought Sean went into that fight similar to what I was talking with Dustin, he had no pressure on him. No one expected him to win, there’s no pressure, just go be you and he did. You go and look at the DDP fight, he had a ton of pressure on him and it changed him. He was a lot tighter during the fight, you could see where he was pressing at time. He just was not in that flow like he was against Izzy, he needs to get back to that.”  

  • Dustin Poirier Explains Why He Discounts Makhachev’s Lone KO Loss Ahead Of UFC 302 Title Fight: ‘I Think The Islam I’m Fighting…’

    Dustin Poirier Explains Why He Discounts Makhachev’s Lone KO Loss Ahead Of UFC 302 Title Fight: ‘I Think The Islam I’m Fighting…’

    Dustin Poirier isn’t putting too much stock into the one loss that is on Islam Makhachev’s record.

    “The Diamond” is set to challenge the lightweight champion at UFC 302 and has a huge task ahead of him in Newark.

    The champ has been dominant in most of his fights aside from one setback that happened all the way back in 2015 in his second Octagon appearance.

    In trying to land his own big, looping shot on Adriano Martins, Makhachev was caught by a powerful counter and dropped, with the referee stepping in to wave off the fight.

    In an interview on mainevent for Fox Sports Australia, Poirier said that the lightweight champion is far better than he was nine years ago so he can’t expect Makhachev to make the same mistake twice.

    “I think the Islam I’m fighting on Saturday night is a different guy than we sat in that time he lost. He was kind of fumbling and his weight was over his feet, he was running in kind of goofy and got hit with a good shot but definitely if he’s lunging in and covering space like that recklessly, I’ll throw check hooks all day.”

    Dustin Poirier Says He Isn’t Interested In Fighting Conor McGregor Right Now

    Poirier also spoke in the same interview about where he is at right now in regards to his rivalry with Conor McGregor.

    “The Notorious” is set to return at UFC 303 and seemingly still has unfinished business to attend to with “The Diamond” after their third meeting ended in him suffering the injury that has kept him out for so long.

    For Poirier, he’s happy to have moved on to being back in title contention and trying to realize his dream of becoming the world champion.

    This is his main focus for now but you can’t help but feel that whilst the two men are still in the promotion, you can never say never.

    “I’ve kind of moved past it and I’m fighting for the undisputed world title, that’s the pinnacle of the sport. Fighting Conor isn’t the pinnacle, being the undisputed world champion is the pinnacle so that’s what I’ve been focused on. But I do think he’s going to beat Chandler.”  

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Islam Makhachev’s Head Kick Knockout In Alexander Volkanovski Rematch Ahead Of UFC 302 Defense

    UFC Full Fight: Relive Islam Makhachev’s Head Kick Knockout In Alexander Volkanovski Rematch Ahead Of UFC 302 Defense

    UFC 302 headliner Islam Makhachev made a statement when he last appeared inside the Octagon.

    The UFC lightweight champion will feature in the main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view card in Newark, New Jersey, where he’s tasked with recording a third successful title retention at the expense of divisional veteran Dustin Poirier.

    Following his crowning against Charles Oliveira back in 2022, Makhachev put the belt on the line against the same foe twice in 2023, repelling the threat of then-featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski.

    Their first clash in Perth, Australia, was a tight affair, with many even believing “Alexander the Great” did enough to deserve two-division glory. There was no debate, however, when it came to their rematch.

    Following the late withdrawal of Oliveira, Volkanovski stepped up on a few days’ notice and headed to Abu Dhabi to do battle with Makhachev again at UFC 294 last October.

    The champ closed out proceedings in the first round, flooring the Aussie with a vicious head kick before swarming with an onslaught of ground-and-pound for the knockout finish.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Makhachev vs. Volkanovski rematch from UFC 294 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDyyJigsccc

    The Russian will be looking to deliver a similarly impactful performance when he takes to the cage inside the Prudential Center this weekend.

    If he achieves that feat, Makhachev will have gotten past the first challenge to his reign to come from an established contender at 155 pounds. And from there, the likes of Arman Tsarukyan will be waiting in the wings.

  • MMA News Today: Conor McGregor’s Coach Sends UFC Plea After Dublin Press Conference Sells Out In Minutes, Benoît Saint Denis Breaks Down Dustin Poirier vs Islam Makhachev, & More

    MMA News Today: Conor McGregor’s Coach Sends UFC Plea After Dublin Press Conference Sells Out In Minutes, Benoît Saint Denis Breaks Down Dustin Poirier vs Islam Makhachev, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For May 29, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Kavanagh calls for the 3Arena to be opened up
    • Saint-Denis says knockout is key for Poirier
    • The all-female promotion is back up and running

    John Kavanagh Calls For The 3Arena To Upgrade Capacity 

    The press conference for UFC 303 and the return of Conor McGregor is shaping up to be a huge moment in the MMA calendar.

    On Monday, The Mac and Michael Chandler will arrive at the 3Arena in Dublin and if there were any doubts as to whether “The Notorious” has still got the backing of the Irish fans, those questions are soon to be answered.

    Tickets went on sale this morning for the event and were free but limited to just two per purchase but that didn’t stop them from selling out in minutes.

    The seating plan for the event shows that as usual for these kinds of occasions, they were only planning to use a part of the full arena.

    McGregor’s own coach, John Kavanagh, said on social media that they should open up the building to accommodate for more seats in order to completely pack out the building for another iconic press conference.

    Benoît Saint Denis Says Dustin Poirier Can Only Win Via Knockout Against Someone As Well-Rounded As Islam Makhachev

    Dustin Poirier earned his shot at the lightweight title following an incredible win at UFC 299 where he was forced to face some real adversity.

    Benoît Saint Denis certainly put “The Diamond” through the ringer before he was stopped in the second round, showcasing his aggression from the very start.

    Poirier weathered the storm and let his striking, specifically his boxing and power, do the talking on that night in Miami.

    In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Saint Denis said that this will be the same for Poirier this weekend at UFC 302.

    In his mind, he believes that the challenger and his former opponent will only be able to pull off the upset if he is able to stop Islam Makhachev with his strikes.

    “Dustin Poirier is very composed and experienced fighter and I do believe he has the boxing at his side but Makhachev is very well rounded and I do believe he has to watch my fight against Poirier as well as Dustin’s fight with Oliveira. Everybody knows what the game plan is gonna be. It’s gonna be Makhachev trying to submit Poirier and Poirier trying to knock out Makhachev, with Makhachev having a bit more options. Makhachev can knock out or submit Poirier but I see Poirier only having the knockout win. Decision-wise, I also see Makhachev having the physicality to dominate the fight if it goes long.”

    Invicta FC Is Back On June 28 After 8-Month Hiatus And Concerning Reports

    Having not hosted an event since last October, reports were suggesting that Invicta FC was coming to an unfortunate end.

    The all-female promotion has had an incredible impact on the sport by providing an excellent place for fighters to build up experience and prove themselves.

    Despite the concerns for fans, Invicta FC isn’t going anywhere, as was announced by the promotion’s President Shannon Knapp during a recent appearance on Sirius XM.

    Knapp announced that the promotion will be returning home to Kansas City on June 28 where former UFC fighter Talita Bernardo will be defending her bantamweight title against Olga Rubin in the main event.

    Read more on the story here.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • Dustin Poirier Admits Fighting Saved Him From Potentially Being ‘Dead Or In Jail’ Ahead Of UFC 302 Title Fight

    Dustin Poirier Admits Fighting Saved Him From Potentially Being ‘Dead Or In Jail’ Ahead Of UFC 302 Title Fight

    Without fighting, former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier believes his life would have played out much differently — and not in a good way.

    Poirier has long been one of the promotion’s leading fan favorites and has completed close to everything across a lengthy career inside the cage. One box, however, remains unchecked.

    While “The Diamond” has held interim gold on MMA’s biggest stage, he’s yet to reach the undisputed throne. To date, Poirier has failed to secure the crown in two opportunities, falling via submission to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2019 and Charles Oliveira in 2021.

    The UFC 302 pay-per-view event this weekend in Newark presents a fresh — and potentially final — shot for the Louisianan, who is set to battle reigning lightweight Islam Makhachev in the main event.

    Ahead of the clash, Poirier has been open about the possibility of this assignment being his last, win or lose. And in reflecting on his career during fight week, the 35-year-old has acknowledged the important part that fighting has played in saving him from some rough avenues…

    Poirier: ‘I’ve Found Who I Am Through Fighting’

    During a recent interview with ESPN MMA’s Andreas Hale, Poirier reflected on his storied tenure as a mixed martial artist as he approaches his potential swansong at Prudential Center.

    “The Diamond” outlined the positive impact that fighting has had on his life as a whole, noting that it’s paved the way for his entry into the business world and even saved him from some grim possibilities. 

    “I’ve found who I am through fighting. My life has been moulded, in some way or another, by fighting,” Poirier said. “Everything I have is from fighting. Everything me and my family have, the businesses I own, the things we run; everything I have is anchored into fighting somehow got me there, got me into the room, or business meetings, or tables with these people I would have never had the opportunity to sit across from and talk to.

    “It’s all because of fighting. Fighting has opened these doors for me,” Poirier continued. “To be honest, I could be dead or in jail if I never found fighting. When I was 17 years old, I wasn’t doing the right things. I’ve learned a lot of lessons about myself, about business, about life through fighting. I’m proud of that.”

    With that in mind, Poirier has been vocal in stating that he will be satisfied and proud of his accomplishments even if his career concludes without an undisputed title crowning.

    That’s not to say he isn’t still in hot pursuit of the mountaintop, however, and he’ll look to upset the odds on Saturday night to reach the peak at the expense of Makhachev in New Jersey.

  • ‘It’s Over For The Diamond’ – Fans React As Islam Makhachev Reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov Will Return To His Corner At UFC 302

    ‘It’s Over For The Diamond’ – Fans React As Islam Makhachev Reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov Will Return To His Corner At UFC 302

    For the first time since his title crowning in 2022, UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev will have Khabib Nurmagomedov’s guidance on fight night.

    Makhachev was long touted as a sure-fire successor to his mentor upon “The Eagle’s” retirement from active competition following a third successful defense of the 155-pound gold back in 2020.

    And the Dagestani completed the journey laid out for him by his coaches and teammates with Khabib close by, submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. That began the reign of Makhachev, but it also signaled the end of something.

    Months later, as Makhachev prepared to meet a test from below in the form of Alexander Volkanovski, Khabib announced that he would be stepping back from cornering members of his team.

    While he’s remained visible in some fight camps and has still lent a helping hand, the Russian legend has stayed true to his words and not appeared in a corner since.

    That, however, comes to an end this weekend at UFC 302.

    “News, ‘Eagle’ is landed in Jersey City,” Makhachev told UFC cameras during fight week. “He’s gonna be in my corner. Honestly, I’m very happy because he’s one of the best corner (coaches), brother, friend.”

    Fans React To Khabib’s Confirmed Corner Return At UFC 302: ‘Bet All Your Money On Makhachev’

    Unsurprisingly, the announcement of Khabib’s corner return saw many members of the MMA community flock to social media to give their thoughts. 

    Given Khabib’s history with Poirier, which saw him submit “The Diamond” in their unification title clash back in 2019, as well as the veteran’s renowned coaching abilities, plenty suggested that more odds just got stacked against the challenger in Newark.

    There are some, though, who predict that Khabib’s presence inside the Prudential Center on fight night will spur the underdog on and provide added motivation. Only time will tell…

    https://twitter.com/LakazMMA/status/1795676534923280554https://twitter.com/Tarticle21/status/1795674058379735279

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Dustin Poirier’s Savage KO Of Benoît Saint Denis To Secure UFC 302 Title Shot

    UFC 302 headliner Dustin Poirier delivered a finish worthy of a surprise shot at championship glory at the expense of Benoît Saint Denis this past March.

    The former interim UFC lightweight champion will feature in the main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view card in Newark, New Jersey, where he’s tasked with bringing the reign of Islam Makhachev to an end in the Russian’s third defense.

    Poirier entered 2024 seemingly out of title contention following a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje last July. In his return to action at UFC 299 in Miami, however, “The Diamond” maintained his top five spot by turning away the challenge of one of the division’s most highly touted up-and-comers in Saint Denis.

    After a difficult first round that saw the Frenchman on top, Poirier showed that he’s far from lost a step by stopping “God of War” with strikes in the second. As it turns out, that win netted the Louisianan another opportunity at the belt thanks to results going his way at UFC 300 the following month.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Poirier vs. Saint Denis fight from UFC 299 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ciOQjock_g

    With that result being enough to book Poirier the next place opposite Makhachev inside the cage, “The Diamond” will look to replicate that performance in Miami to achieve undisputed glory this weekend.

    Should he achieve that feat, the Louisianan will have checked the final box in his illustrious career on MMA’s biggest stage.

  • Dustin Poirier’s Coach Shoots Down Narrative That UFC 302 Fight Against Islam Makhachev Could Be His Last

    UFC 302 marks another huge night in the career of Dustin Poirier for what will be his 40th pro fight.

    Since debuting in the UFC all the way back in 2011, “The Diamond” has achieved some great things during his 13-year run with the promotion.

    He has become a true fan favourite, put on some classic fights, become the interim lightweight champion and of course, shared the Octagon with Conor McGregor on three occasions. 

    However, beating Islam Makhachev to become the lightweight champion at UFC 302 would go down as the crowning achievement of the entire run.

    An accomplishment so good that he may not be able to top it, providing the perfect time to ride off into the sunset.

    In a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Poirier said that June 2 could be the last time we see him inside the Octagon regardless of the result.

    https://twitter.com/NoSmokeMMA/status/1794046876855177698

    Mike Brown Says He Can See Dustin Poirier Fighting Again Despite Retirement Talks

    Poirier’s long-time head coach at American Top Team, Mike Brown, isn’t so sure that this could be the last time we see “The Diamond”.

    As Josh Thomson pointed out in Brown’s interview on the Weighing In podcast, Poirier is still just 35 years old despite everything he has done in the sport.

    The ATT coach said that sometimes this is what Poirier is like and he didn’t read his recent comments as anything too serious at this stage.

    “This is him, he is a love/hate sometimes, you know how he is. I mean I’ve heard him say this before and he, I think that’s a day-to-day thing. You never know but he’s accomplished a ton, he’s got a ton of money, he’s content with what he’s done. You know, you don’t want to push too long but I wouldn’t be surprised if he fought again after this fight, win or lose, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw him again. This is just, this is how it is. I think he’s trying to say he’s content with what he’s done, he’s proud of his accomplishments.”    

  • Coach Explains Why Fans Will See A ‘Different’ Paulo Costa In ‘People’s Main Event’ At UFC 302

    Coach Explains Why Fans Will See A ‘Different’ Paulo Costa In ‘People’s Main Event’ At UFC 302

    The coach of UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa has promised fans that a new and improved version of the Brazilian will take to the Octagon this weekend.

    After contractual disputes and injuries kept him out of action for a considerable period, Costa made his first walk to the octagon since 2022 at UFC 298 in Anaheim this past February.

    While he emerged from the Honda Center without a victory, the former title challenger’s performance in defeat against ex-champion Robert Whittaker signaled that he remains a strong threat at 185 pounds.

    “Borrachinha” will now look to go a step further by having his hand raised at the UFC 302 pay-per-view on June 1, where he’s set to co-headline opposite another former divisional kingpin in Sean Strickland.

    More than just looking to repeat the competitive display he had earlier this year, Costa’s team is seemingly expecting the best “Borrachinha” to date in Newark…

    Coach Albarracin Touts Costa’s UFC 302 Preparation

    During episode one of the UFC 302 Embedded: Vlog Series, cameras caught up with Costa and his team as they trained at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Coach Eric Albarracin was complimentary toward his student’s progress, claiming that the UFC 302 camp is the first time he’s seen Costa find a “rhythm” pre-fight. 

    “One week out before UFC 302 in Newark. Co-main event, but the people’s main event,” Albarracin said. “You know, I’ve never seen Paulo in a rhythm. So now he’s in a rhythm, and you’re gonna see a different Paulo Costa; refocused, recalibrated, and reloaded.”

    Whether or not that translates into a standout performance inside the Prudential Center this weekend remains to be seen.

    But given that Strickland only lost the title this past January, a triumph over “Tarzan” will go a major way to earning “Borrachinha” a second opportunity at achieving champ status himself on MMA’s biggest stage.

  • Michael Bisping Sees UFC 302 Headliner Islam Makhachev As ‘New & Improved’ Version Of Khabib Nurmagomedov

    Michael Bisping Sees UFC 302 Headliner Islam Makhachev As ‘New & Improved’ Version Of Khabib Nurmagomedov

    Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping believes Islam Makhachev boasts traits that the great Khabib Nurmagomedov did not.

    Having long been touted as a successor to Khabib following his retirement as an undefeated lightweight champion back in 2020, Makhachev completed his ascension to the 155-pound mountaintop in 2022.

    And since submitting Charles Oliveira to be crowned champ in Abu Dhabi, the Dagestani has enhanced his legacy and cemented his reign with a pair of successful defenses against now-former featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski. 

    With a victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 this weekend, Makhachev will make it three defenses, tying him for the division’s all-time lead with Khabib and Benson Henderson. 

    Such a feat would no doubt only increase the comparisons between “The Eagle” and his title-holding protégé. But not everyone is waiting for Makhachev to surpass his mentor before branding him superior…

    Bisping Compares Makhachev & Khabib: ‘Look At The KO Of Volkanovski…’

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbCZ2P30wK0

    During the Preview Show for UFC 302 on TNT Sports’ YouTube channel, Bisping assessed Makhachev’s divisional rule to date and the champ’s ever-developing skillset.

    Pointing to the Dagestani’s renowned grappling game and always-improving striking, which he used to finish Volkanovski in one round last October, “The Count” suggested that Makhachev’s overall ability has already cleared that of Khabib.

    “Khabib came first and he’ll always be remembered for that, for what he did to the sport, how he represented Dagestan, and implemented that style. It took over the sport, let’s be honest,” Bisping said. “But his time has gone. It has passed… Islam is a new, improved version.

    “Look at the head kick knockout of Alexander Volkanovski. He’s much, much smoother on the feet. His grappling’s just as good as Khabib’s, or it’s certainly up there,” Bisping continued. “He’s really moulding into this champion. He feels it. He walks and talks with a certain bravado and assurance that comes not from confidence or ego, it comes from knowing what he’s capable of.”

    Makhachev will have the chance to further prove his talent in the main event of Saturday’s numbered event in Newark, where he’s tasked with defeating Poirier — a feat achieved by Khabib via submission back in 2019.

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Sean Strickland’s Upset Title Win Over Israel Adesanya Ahead Of UFC 302 Return

    UFC 302 co-headliner achieved a surprise dose of championship glory when he dethroned Israel Adesanya in Sydney, Australia, last September.

    The former middleweight kingpin will feature in the co-main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view card in Newark, New Jersey, where he’s tasked with getting the better of fellow contender Paulo Costa. 

    Strickland is in pursuit of a second reign atop the 185-pound mountain following a brief stint there courtesy of his efforts Down Under last year. Off the back of consecutive wins over Nassourdine Imavov and Abus Magomedov, “Tarzan” capitalized on a short-notice chance to challenge Adesanya at UFC 293.

    Against the odds and predictions of many, “Tarzan” dropped the then-champ early before putting on a striking masterclass across five rounds. The title win went down as one of the promotion’s greatest upsets, and it was enough to net MMA News’ Performance of the Year award for 2023.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Strickland vs. Adesanya fight from UFC 293 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uZiZHsPSaE

    Strickland was unable to cement his grip on the crown in his first defense this past January, with Dricus Du Plessis instead ensuring that he’d emerge from UFC 297 in Canada with the title in his possession.

    Having had his calls for an immediate rematch dismissed, Strickland must return to winning ways at the expense of “Borrachinha” if he’s to earn an opportunity to achieve two-time champ status.

  • Islam Makhachev Doesn’t Want To See Dustin Poirier Retire After A Defeat At UFC 302: ‘He Can Beat Everybody’

    Islam Makhachev Doesn’t Want To See Dustin Poirier Retire After A Defeat At UFC 302: ‘He Can Beat Everybody’

    UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev fully intends on stalling Dustin Poirier’s ongoing title ambitions this weekend, but he hopes it won’t be the end of the road for his latest challenger. 

    After cementing his grip on the 155-pound crown with a pair of defenses against then-featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski in 2023, Makhachev is days away from his first threat from an established lightweight contender.

    Having returned to winning ways with an emphatic knockout of Benoît Saint Denis at UFC 299 this past March, some favorable results at UFC 300 last month paved the way for Poirier to receive a third shot at undisputed status.

    By the sounds of things, “The Diamond” is expecting it to be his last opportunity — and potentially even his final fight overall, win or lose.

    Makhachev Hopes Poirier Pours Cold Water On Retirement Talk

    During a recent interview with NBC Sports, Makhachev acknowledged the recent remarks regarding retirement to come from Poirier ahead of their collision on Saturday night.

    Some have questioned the Louisianan’s decision to speak on such a topic prior to a title fight, with Daniel Cormier pointing to his experience of doing the same to suggest that “The Diamond” is making a mistake.

    Makhachev appears to share that sentiment, but for a different reason. While plenty have simply suggested that Poirier should keep retirement thoughts to himself until post-fight, the Dagestani doesn’t want to see them reach the surface at all.

    “He’s talking about (retirement), but I don’t want him (to) retire after this fight if I beat him,” Makhachev said. “This guy is dangerous. He can beat everybody. He’s number, like, top five in the world, you know? That’s why I don’t think it’s a good idea (to talk) about retiring, because he’s still a very dangerous guy. That’s why I’m preparing very hard for him.”

    Fans will have to wait and see when it comes to Poirier’s future in the sport. For now, “The Diamond” will have his sole focus on upsetting the odds to bring Makhachev’s lightweight reign to an end.

    Whether that would be followed by a defense or a departure from the sport remains to be seen.