Tag: Islam Makhachev

Facing off with undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev once more ahead of tomorrow’s headliner at UFC 302, former interim titleholder, Dustin Poirier took in all of the Russian during tonight’s tense staredown at the ceremonial

Poirier, the current number four ranked divisional contender, looks to snap his losing trend in undisputed title attempts in his showdown with Makhachev, coming up short in tangles against both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.

As for Makhachev, the pound-for-pound number one puts his title up for grabs for the third occasion – this time against a fellow lightweight counterpart for the premiere time, having knocked back former featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski in two immediate clashes. 

And sharing the stage during a tumultuous press conference last night, Makhachev and Poirier traded verbal barbs and predictions for how their clash would play out in New Jersey – with the duo corralled by security officials after the challenger used expletives during his trash talk attempt.

Successfully making their undisputed title fight proper earlier today, both Makhachev and Poirier made 155lbs title clash weight during early-morning weigh-ins.

Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier face off once more

And tonight during a tense face-off at the ceremonial event ahead of their meeting at the Prudential Center, all eyes from Poirier were firmly on the defending champion, Makhachev – who remained stoic, with the former darting back-and-forth in anticipation.

IT'S ALL GOING DOWN TOMORROW

@MAKHACHEVMMA vs @DustinPoirier

[ @ESPNPlus PPV | 10pmET/7pmPT | #UFC302 ] pic.twitter.com/NwL7ho487i

— UFC (@ufc) May 31, 2024

Claiming all the talk was said and done ahead of UFC 302, an excited Poirier urged fans that the time to fight was now.

What does it mean for The Diamond to be headlining #UFC302

"Everything." @DustinPoirier | #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/Hcmexxf51d

— UFC (@ufc) May 31, 2024

“It means everything to me, man,” Dustin Poirier told Joe Rogan during the UFC 302 weigh-ins. “New Jersey, it’s great to be here, thank you all – appreciate you. But the talk is done, Joe, it’s time to fight.”

As for Makhachev, the dominant force atop the 155lbs division was met with a chorus of boos from the Newark crowd, however, promised to remind any naysayers why he holds the moniker of the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC.

@MAKHACHEVMMA is ready to show off why he's the BEST no. 1 P4P fighter in the world TOMORROW at #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/gBbflwbSw3

— UFC (@ufc) May 31, 2024

“I will show you guys what it means [to be] pound-for-pound best fighter in the world,” Islam Makhachev explained. “See you tomorrow.”

Who are you picking tomorrow at UFC 302: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

New footage from last night’s pre-fight press conference ahead of UFC 302 has revealed just what was said by headlining duos, Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier – leading to their intense face-off at the culmination.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, is slated to headline tomorrow’s UFC 302 event in New Jersey against Poirier, attempting to successfully defend his crown for the third occasion.

As for Poirier, the former interim champion looks to snatch undisputed spoils at the third time of trying, after prior submission defeats against both Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Charles Oliveira in undisputed pursuits.

And sharing the stage with Poirier during last night’s press conference, Islam Makhachev and the Lafayette native were corralled by security and organisational officials, after a heated exchange of words.

Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier share war of words

Releasing the latest instalment of UFC 302’s Embedded series tonight, new footage shows exactly what was said between the duo.

Poirier: “I’m going to knock you out Saturday”

Makhachev: “How?”

Poirier: “Sleep. I’m going to sleep slap you.”

Makhachev: “You will sleep if you don’t tap.”

Poirier: “I’m going to sleep slap you. You’re going to be diving for my legs, praying.”

Makhachev: “Don’t tap and you will sleep.” 

Poirier: ‘You’re going to be diving for my legs.”

Makhachev: “I will show you.”

Poirier: ‘Don’t sleep, motherf*cker.”

Makhachev: ‘Don’t say, motherf*cker.”

Poirier: “Don’t get in my face like that.”

Makhachev: “… Don’t do that. Don’t say motherf*cker. Brother, it’s not – in my country, you do not say – don’t say motherf*cker to me, okay?”

Poirier: “Don’t get into my face like that, man. We’re going to fight.” 

Making tomorrow’s main event official, both Makhachev and challenger, Poirier successfully made title weight at 155lbs – tipping the scales at this morning’s early official weighs in Newark.

Who wins tomorrow night at UFC 302: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has been tipped as a surefire contender for the moniker as the greatest lightweight of all-time with a victory over Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 this weekend – with Aljamain Sterling pointing to the Lafayette veteran’s strength of schedule.

Poirier, the current number four ranked lightweight contender and a former interim gold holder in the division, returns this weekend at UFC 302 in a massive title fight headliner against pound-for-pound number one, Makhachev.

Twice failing in prior attempts to mint himself as the undisputed lightweight kingpin, Poirier was submitted in third round rear-naked choke losses to first, Khabib Nurmagomedov – who corners Makhachev in New Jersey, before a 2021 defeat against Charles Oliveira.

Hoping to strike it third time lucky at UFC 302 tomorrow at the Prudential Center, Poirier most recently turned in a stunning second round knockout win over Benoit Saint Denis, halting the Frenchman’s meteoric rise through the weight class.

Dustin Poirier touted as potential GOAT with win at UFC 302

And closing as a significant betting underdog to topple Makhachev tomorrow in Newark – if he can do so, Poirier would be a massive contender to earn lightweight GOAT status, according to ex-bantamweight best, Sterling.

“You know, arguments can be made,” Aljamain Sterling said of Dustin Poirier’s status as lightweight GOAT with a victory at UFC 302. “This is my metric, the record is one thing but something about strength of schedule, to me as a competitor, it matters and who you’ve beaten…”

Yeah, you could say, ‘Never lost a round or never seen your own blood’ – those things are important, but stength of schedule,” Sterling explained. 

Over the course of his storied career, Poirier has racked up a list of formidable names at the lightweight limit, defeating the likes of Bobby Green, Eddie Alvarez, Anthony Pettis, Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler, and twice toppled former two-division champion, Conor McGregor.

Who do you think wins this weekend at UFC 302: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

Tomorrow’s UFC 302 headliner between Islam Makhachev, and Dustin Poirier is now official – with the championship pair successfully making title limit weight for their heated grudge match in Newark.

Makhachev, the incumbent undisputed lightweight champion, is slated to return tomorrow night in New Jersey, headlining UFC 302 in a title defense against former interim gold holder, Poirier.

Sidelined since October of last year, Russian star, Makhachev most recently turned in a dominant first round win over then-featherweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski, in the form of a blistering high-kick knockout win.

As for Poirier, the current number four ranked contender will look to snap a two-fight winless run in undisputed title fights at 155lbs, succumbing to submission stoppage losses against both Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Charles Oliveira, respectively.

Last time out, however, Poirier – who has been surrounded by talk of a potential retirement regardless of result against Islam Makhachev in ‘The Garden State’ – wound back the clock with a stunning second round knockout win over the streaking, Benoit Saint Denis back in March.

Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier make weight for UFC 302

And both tipping the scales today at the early morning weigh-ins in Newark, undisputed champion, Makhachev came in at 155lbs for his defense – with Poirier matching the American Kickboxing Academy staple, himself coming in at 155lbs on championship weight for the anticipated showcase.

Our #UFC302 main event if OFFICIAL @MAKHACHEVMMA steps on the scale at 155lbs

[ Live SAT on @ESPNPlus PPV | 10pmET/7pmPT ] pic.twitter.com/Zh7BcSoFKC

— UFC (@ufc) May 31, 2024

Sharing the stage during yesterday’s pre-fight press conference, Makhachev and Poirier squabbled during respective questioning, with the pair offering their own predictions for the action at UFC 302.

First to the hit the scale this morning @DustinPoirier weighs in at 155lbs

[ #UFC302 | LIVE on @ESPNPlus PPV | TOMORROW ] pic.twitter.com/Sw4mEYaAKK

— UFC (@ufc) May 31, 2024

Vowing to either knock out or choke out Poirier this weekend at the Prudential Center, Makhachev was urged to stand and show off his boxing by the Lafayette native, who himself claimed the champion would be put to “sleep” at UFC 302.

Engaging in a tense and taut face-off with play-by-play lead Jon Anik onlooking, Makhachev and Poirier got within earshot of each other, with the former calling the titleholder a “motherf*cker” – much to the disgust of the Makhachkala native, who urged him to refrain from using profanity as security officials corralled the duo.

Who wins this weekend at UFC 302: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

Tomorrow’s UFC 302 headliner between Islam Makhachev, and Dustin Poirier is now official – with the championship pair successfully making title limit weight for their heated grudge match in Newark.

Makhachev, the incumbent undisputed lightweight champion, is slated to return tomorrow night in New Jersey, headlining UFC 302 in a title defense against former interim gold holder, Poirier.

Sidelined since October of last year, Russian star, Makhachev most recently turned in a dominant first round win over then-featherweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski, in the form of a blistering high-kick knockout win.

As for Poirier, the current number four ranked contender will look to snap a two-fight winless run in undisputed title fights at 155lbs, succumbing to submission stoppage losses against both Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Charles Oliveira, respectively.

Last time out, however, Poirier – who has been surrounded by talk of a potential retirement regardless of result against Islam Makhachev in ‘The Garden State’ – wound back the clock with a stunning second round knockout win over the streaking, Benoit Saint Denis back in March.

Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier make weight for UFC 302

And both tipping the scales today at the early morning weigh-ins in Newark, undisputed champion, Makhachev came in at 155lbs for his defense – with Poirier matching the American Kickboxing Academy staple, himself coming in at 155lbs on championship weight for the anticipated showcase.

Our #UFC302 main event if OFFICIAL @MAKHACHEVMMA steps on the scale at 155lbs

[ Live SAT on @ESPNPlus PPV | 10pmET/7pmPT ] pic.twitter.com/Zh7BcSoFKC

— UFC (@ufc) May 31, 2024

Sharing the stage during yesterday’s pre-fight press conference, Makhachev and Poirier squabbled during respective questioning, with the pair offering their own predictions for the action at UFC 302.

First to the hit the scale this morning @DustinPoirier weighs in at 155lbs

[ #UFC302 | LIVE on @ESPNPlus PPV | TOMORROW ] pic.twitter.com/Sw4mEYaAKK

— UFC (@ufc) May 31, 2024

Vowing to either knock out or choke out Poirier this weekend at the Prudential Center, Makhachev was urged to stand and show off his boxing by the Lafayette native, who himself claimed the champion would be put to “sleep” at UFC 302.

Engaging in a tense and taut face-off with play-by-play lead Jon Anik onlooking, Makhachev and Poirier got within earshot of each other, with the former calling the titleholder a “motherf*cker” – much to the disgust of the Makhachkala native, who urged him to refrain from using profanity as security officials corralled the duo.

Who wins this weekend at UFC 302: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

UFC senior vice president of anti-doping compliance Jeff Novitzky says Islam Makhachev did nothing wrong in his 2016 failed drug test.

Makhachev was awarded a 50-time perfect test jacket at UFC 302 media day, but the lightweight champ did have a failed drug test in 2016 ahead of a scheduled fight vs. Drew Dober.

Eight years since the fight, Novitzky says Makhachev did nothing wrong as he calls the failed drug test a colossal mistake.

“Islam did have an issue back in 2016. I actually talked with him and his team last week and I said, ‘I think we need to bring this up.’ And they agreed,” Novitzky said (via MMAJunkie)…

“In 2016, USADA, who ran our program, put it on our prohibited list,” Novitzky said about Meldonium. “Before that, you were allowed to use it. He had a medical procedure back in 2014. He submitted documents that he used it under that. Ultimately, he was cleared by USADA. But in my opinion, one of the greatest, colossal mistakes in anti-doping. It affected not only Islam but several other UFC athletes and hundreds of other amateur Olympic athletes.

“That’s something that just cannot happen. That’s something you can carry forward with you and your reputation forever. I’m here today today to say that Islam absolutely did nothing wrong. This mistake was on the anti-doping authority, not him. It’s very important to note that,” Novitzky concluded.

Since the failed drug test in 2016, Islam Makhachev has had no failed drug tests.

Islam Makhachev vows to finish Dustin Poirier

Islam Makhachev is set to defend his lightweight title in the main event of UFC 302 against Dustin Poirier.

Makhachev is currently a sizeable betting favorite to defeat Poirier and the champ has confidence he won’t just win, but will submit Poirier.

“Honestly, he’s the same,” Makhachev said at UFC 302 media day. “Maybe [he’s older]. He doesn’t believe he can beat me. His coach doesn’t believe he can beat me. I know I can make this fight easy. I will finish him. Because I am on a different level. I am the best fighter in the world right now.”

Makhachev is looking to defend his lightweight title for the third time on Saturday at UFC 302.