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Islam Makhachev offers to help train Charles Oliveira ahead of rumored fight with Colby Covington

Islam Makhachev offers to help train Charles Oliveira ahead of rumored fight with Colby Covington Islam Makhachev is more than happy to show Charles Oliveira a thing or two on the mat. On Saturday,…

Islam Makhachev is more than happy to show Charles Oliveira a thing or two on the mat.

On Saturday, June 1, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ will return to the Octagon for the first time in 2024 when he headlines UFC 302 airing live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Meeting him in the main event will be Dustin Poirier, a hardened veteran determined to “finish his story” and claim Makahchev’s 155-pound crown.

Ahead of his clash with ‘The Diamond’ in The Garden State, Makhachev sat down with members of the press at the UFC 303 media day. There, he mostly addressed questions surrounding his upcoming fight, but there was one moment when Makhachev issued an invite to Charles Oliveira — the man he defeated for the lightweight belt at UFC 280.

With rumors swirling of a fight between ‘Do Bronx’ and three-time title challenger Colby Covington, Makhachev invited his former foe to Dagestan, offering to help him hone his wrestling skills.

“Charles is a good guy, if I can help him, he can join us in our camp in Dagestan,” Makhachev said. “He has very good striking, we can help him with wrestling.”

Charles Oliviera ready to test the welterweight waters after losses to Islam makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan

Of course, Makhachev and Oliveira are no strangers to one another. After scoring a second-round submission victory over the Brazilian in late 2022, the two were set to run it back at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, but a cut sustained whilst training forced ‘Do Bronx’ to bow out of the bout, paving the way for the Makhachev vs. Volkanovski rematch.

Since then, Oliveira has suffered another loss, surrendering a split decision to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300. With even more distance between himself and a shot at the lightweight strap, it’s possible that he could be looking to test the waters at welterweight.

Photos – Dustin Poirier set to wear custom floral fight shorts for UFC 302 clash with Islam Makhachev

Following the recent introduction of custom shorts for UFC 300 earlier this year, incoming lightweight title challenger, Dustin Poirier…

Following the recent introduction of custom shorts for UFC 300 earlier this year, incoming lightweight title challenger, Dustin Poirier is set to follow suit and receive the same treatment – confirming he will sport a pair of custom floral board shorts for his clash with Islam Makhachev.

Poirier, the current number four ranked lightweight contender, is slated to return to the Octagon this weekend at UFC 302, headlining in an undisputed title challenge against pound-for-pound number one at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Dustin Poirier vows to knock out Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 the ref's gonna be pulling me off of him — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Earning his third challenge at the undisputed throne back in March, Lafayette veteran, Poirier turned in an impressive second round win over surging Nimes native, Benoit Saint-Denis, felling the Frenchman with a big rallying knockout victory.

Dustin Poirier receives custom shorts for UFC 302 return

And confirming he is set to sport a pair of long-awaited floral shorts this weekend at UFC 302, former interim champion, Poirier follows in the vein of Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje, Zhang Weili, and Alex Pereira in receiving their own custom Venum fight shorts.

“Got them custom boys!!” Dustin Poirier posted on his official Instagram account.

Along with the return of custom fight shorts for Poirier – the main event clash against Makhachev will also see the pair don a pair of new fight gloves, in a gold-colored theme for their championship fight – despite the unhappiness the defending gold holder has stressed about the equipment.

Islam Makhachev calls for division move after UFC 302 I've already beat everyone at lightweight — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacece

Winning interim lightweight gold back in 2019, Poirier took out the above-mentioned former featherweight champion, Holloway in the pair’s rematch in Atlanta.

Another interesting caveat to this weekend’s title fight sees the inclusion of former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov into the corner of Makhachev – with the Hall of Fame star submitting Poirier in the former’s title unification showdown.

Who wins this weekend in Newark: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

UFC 302 star Sean Strickland explains why the thought of being a father terrifies him: ‘Growing up sucked’

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland says the thought of being a dad terrifies him. Strickland grew up in…

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland says the thought of being a dad terrifies him.

Strickland grew up in an abusive household which is why he has said he doesn’t want to have kids. But, with Strickland now having a girlfriend, and saying they may get married in the future, the thought of having kids has been more prevalent.

According to Strickland, he says the thought of being a dad and raising a kid is terrifying to him, and one of the biggest fears he has.

“It’s like one of the scariest things for me to have a kid because of the thought of being like you, because I’m a selfish man. When I grew up, my dad sucked. I never had any positive role models in my life, like any masculinity. So, to be a dad, I look at a family as something scary and ‘Oh f**k responsibility’ because growing up suck. One of the biggest fears I have is being a dad and then being faced with the responsibility of raising a good man or woman,” Strickland said to Nina Drama.

Strickland has spoken publicly about his dad as he revealed one story where at 17 he told his dad to commit suicide as he was contemplating it.

Sean Strickland promises Paulo Costa fight will be a ‘bloodbath’

As for his fighting career, Sean Strickland is set to return to the Octagon in a five-round co-main event fight against Paulo Costa on Saturday at UFC.

Sean Strickland threatens to stab Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 if he mentions abuse — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

It’s Strickland’s first fight since he lost his middleweight title by decision to Dricus Du Plessis in January. Entering the fight against Costa, Strickland is expecting it to be a bloody war, but the former champ is confident he will pick apart the Brazilian.

Sean Strickland's coach claims live betting may have affected corner advice in UFC 297 title loss — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“UFC 302, man, it’s going to be a bloodbath. I think me and Costa are going to go into deep water, it’s going to be a 25-minute war. I think we are both going to be looking at each other in that third, fourth round thinking ‘f**k we still got one more round.’ Mentally, as always, I’m ready to die for what I want and I think I will pick him apart,” Strickland said on UFC countdown.

If Strickland gets his hand raised at UFC 302 he could get another crack at his UFC title next time out.

UFC 302 star Sean Strickland explains why the thought of being a father terrifies him: ‘Growing up sucked’

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland says the thought of being a dad terrifies him. Strickland grew up in…

Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland says the thought of being a dad terrifies him.

According to Strickland, he says the thought of being a dad and raising a kid is terrifying to him, and one of the biggest fears he has.

Strickland has spoken publicly about his dad as he revealed one story where at 17 he told his dad to commit suicide as he was contemplating it.

Sean Strickland promises Paulo Costa fight will be a ‘bloodbath’

As for his fighting career, Sean Strickland is set to return to the Octagon in a five-round co-main event fight against Paulo Costa on Saturday at UFC.

If Strickland gets his hand raised at UFC 302 he could get another crack at his UFC title next time out.

Islam Makhachev plays down Khabib Nurmagomedov similarities pre-UFC 302: ‘He had his time, now it’s mine’

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has played down comparisons between himself and former division titleholder, Khabib Nurmagomedov – claiming…

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev has played down comparisons between himself and former division titleholder, Khabib Nurmagomedov – claiming that while the Hall of Fame star had his time of dominance, it’s not his time to take the mantle.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight gold holder and the current pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter under the banner of the promotion, is slated to return to the Octagon this weekend in New Jersey, headlining UFC 302.

Islam Makhachev backed to retire from the UFC by end of next year he's cleared out 155 pounds — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Taking on former interim titleholder, Dustin Poirier, Russian standout, Makhachev will look to land his third consecutive successful defense of the divisional crown – following back-to-back victories over former undisputed featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski.

Khabib Nurmagomedov linked with fighting return amid alleged tax bill from Russia we might see him back in the UFC — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

Islam Makhachev talks Khabib Nurmagomedov comparisons

And receiving a host of comparisons to Nurmagomedov – who coached Makhachev to a stunning vacant championship victory against former gold holder, Charles Oliveira back in 2022, played down their similarities, claiming his time is now.

Dustin Poirier takes issue with Joe Rogan's commentary after UFC 299 win I can't believe he said that — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“People say I’m Khabib’s (Nurmagomedov) protégé,” Islam Makhachev said during UFC 302 Countdown. “But now I have the belt, and now I’m number one in the pound-for-pound rankings. Khabib had his time, and right now, it’s my time.

As for Poirier, the Louisana veteran will look to land undisputed lightweight spoils at the third time of trying – earning his showdown with Makhachev following an impressive rallying win back in March at UFC 299.

Drawing surging Frenchman, Benoit Saint-Denis in a co-main event slot, Poirier turned in an impressive second round knockout win over the Nimes native, before staking his claim – ultimately successfully for a shot at the divisional crown.

Poirier first landed interim lightweight gold back in 2019 in a decision rematch victory against former featherweight kingpin, Max Holloway.

Who wins this weekend in Newark: Islam Makhachev or Dustin Poirier?

Alexander Volkanovski picks Islam Makhachev to finish Dustin Poirier at UFC 302: ‘It’s gonna be a submission’

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski wouldn’t be surprised if Dustin Poirier caught Islam Makhachev and knocked him out…

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski wouldn’t be surprised if Dustin Poirier caught Islam Makhachev and knocked him out at UFC 302.

Poirier is set to face Makhachev for the lightweight title in the main event of UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey on June 1. Heading into the fight, Poirier is a sizeable underdog, but Volkanovski, who fought Makhachev twice, thinks the champ fights safe, which could allow Poirier the chance to catch the champ.

“Islam’s gonna be too good,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “I think he’s too safe of a fighter to make mistakes where he’s gonna get caught against someone like Dustin Poirier. Dustin Poirier is a great fighter. I just think it’s a hard fight for anybody and I don’t see anyone beating Islam for a while. Unless they catch him, right?”

Makhachev’s lone career loss is by knockout, while Poirier has won 15 times by knockout, so KO’ing the champ isn’t out of the question.

Alexander Volkanovski explains how Dustin Poirier could catch Islam Makhachev

Although Dustin Poirier is a big underdog heading into UFC 302, Alexander Volkanovski says Islam Makhachev’s style does play into Poirier.

Islam Makhachev backed to retire in two years by Daniel Cormier uFC — Mandatory Credit: Giuseppe Cacace

Volkanovski believes the way Makhachev sets up his takedowns could allow Dustin Poirier to land an uppercut or knee which could hurt the champ.

“He doesn’t like to come in straight when he feels in danger,” Volkanovski said of Makhachev. “He’ll make sure he’s off center. His head is off line and then he gets himself back into a better posture as he’s taking you down. Khabib was like this as well. The posture is not right, but he’s doing this to keep his head off center and not in the firing line, and he still does a great takedown from there.

Alexander Volkanovski calls for UFC 300 title rematch with Islam Makhachev that makes sense

“But now he’s gonna be doing that with a southpaw fighter. So you dip, you’re gonna be a lot more comfortable shooting. So if someone pressures you and gets you off guard, or your instinct reaction is to shoot, most of the time you’re shooting against orthodox fighters, your head’s gonna dip to that side. Now you’re dipping to the power side of Poirier because he’s southpaw. Power side uppercuts, power side kicks, power side knees,” Volkanovski added.

If Poirier does KO Makhachev it would be one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history.