UFC 302 | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Dana White shreds ‘lunatic’ judge who scored Strickland vs. Costa a split decision at UFC 302

Dana White shreds 'Lunatic' judge who scored Strickland vs. Costa a split decision at UFC 302 Dana White went scorched earth on MMA judge Dave Tirelli following a couple of highly questionable scorecards on Saturday…

Dana White went scorched earth on MMA judge Dave Tirelli following a couple of highly questionable scorecards on Saturday night.

Luckily, there were no blatant robberies in The Garden State as the promotion served up its latest pay-per-view event, UFC 302. However, there was some pretty egregious scoring and it all seemed to come from one man. Tirelli first drew the ire of the broadcast team and fight fans watching at home when he scored an early bout between Andre Lima and Mitch Raposo in favor of the latter.

The two other judges, Adrian Castro and Eric Colon, both scored the contest 30-27 in favor of Lima. Fans on the global scoring app Verdict agreed with Castro and Colon considering Lima outstruck Raposo in all three rounds.

Unfortunately, Tirelli was far from done. In the co-main event of the evening, Sean Strickland delivered another dominant performance, putting Paulo Costa on his back foot for pretty much the entirety of their 25-minute affair and outstriking ‘The Eraser’ in four of the five rounds.

Chris Lee and Sal D’Amato favored Strickland on their scorecards, giving him a very reasonable 50-45 and 49-46. Tirelli, on the other hand, inexplicably scored it 49-46 in favor of Costa.

Fans on Verdict gave Strickland every round.

Dana White believes dave tirelli should be kicked ‘back down to the minor leagues’

Asked about the scoring gaffes during the post-fight press conference, Dana White didn’t hold back in his assessment of Dave Tirelli’s judging.

“That wasn’t weird, it was f*cking nuts is what it was,” White said reacting to Tirelli’s scorecard in the Strickland vs. Costa fight. “It’s insane. That guy should never [judge] another big fight again. They should kick him back down to the minor leagues and let him work on his judging. It’s unbelievable.”

“How anybody who isn’t an absolute f*cking lunatic could call that fight a split decision. I don’t even know what to say about that. It’s insane. That guy shouldn’t be judging big fights” (h/t MMA Fighting).

As for the fight itself, White was hoping for something a bit more exciting but commended Strickland’s ability to shut down Costa throughout the fight.

“It’s not the fight I expected,” White said of the matchup. “Every time you see Paulo Costa in a fight, it’s a war. He usually goes to war, but you could tell tonight, he couldn’t get off. Brilliant kicking the leg the way he did. Strickland is tough as hell. He was eating those leg kicks all night. I’m wondering how he’s walking, because I haven’t heard anything but [Costa] did some big damage to that front leg.

“I thought [Strickland] fought a beautiful, perfect fight. He’s a very awkward guy to fight and how he throws those teep kicks and his hands are so good, he’s very elusive and [has] a beautiful jab, and he basically picked Costa apart and shut him down.”

Islam Makhachev confirms nasty staph infection battle before UFC 302 title fight win: ‘I didn’t train’

Off the back of his undisputed lightweight title defense against Dustin Poirier overnight in New Jersey, Islam Makhachev has…

Off the back of his undisputed lightweight title defense against Dustin Poirier overnight in New Jersey, Islam Makhachev has confirmed he entered his UFC 302 main event return battlting with a staph infection in his leg, amid speculation over an apparent injury during fight week.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter in the organization, successfully defended his title overnight in a return to action against ex-interim gold holder, Poirier.

Dealing with some significant adversity in their matchup in Newark, Makhachev dealt with a massive laceration on his forehead in the fourth round – with Poirier slicing the Russian with a sharp elbow during a scramble in the frame.

However, in the fifth and final round, sweeping Poirier following an impressive ankle pick, Makhachev immediately latched onto a D’Arce choke, forcing an eventual tap from the Lafayette veteran, who later went unconscious.

And ahead of UFC 302, speculation was rife that American Kickboxing Academy staple, Makhachev was battling with a supposed staph infection in his left leg ahead of his fight with Poirier – with former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor pointing to an apparent issue – with some choice words for the Makhachkala native to boot.

Conor McGregor rips Islam Makhachev amid speculation over infection pre UFC 302 this inbred lives with staph — Mandatory Credit: Las Vegas Review Journal & Zuffa LLC

Islam Makhachev confirms battle with staph infection

Confirming his issue, Makhachev revealed that he was unable to train for some time ahead of UFC 302, as he dealt with a nasty staph infection.

“Yes, I had some,” Islam Makhachev told UFC Eurasia of his staph infection. “Also, that photo went viral. I had a staph infection. It was bothering me a bit for a week or so when we arrived here in the US. It did distract me a little so I didn’t train, I had some rest to make sure it wouldn’t get worse.”

'Islam Makhachev confirms staph infection rumors, but says he wouldn't have considered pulling out unless forced to by doctors. [UFCEurasia/IG] pic.twitter.com/P7RDP3wMOz

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) June 2, 2024

“I saw the doctors – I don’t think it really affected me,” Islam Makhachev explained. “I just had to take some time off, and then got back to training. Not at all [consider pulling out of the fight at UFC 302]. After coming such a long way, we didn’t even think about pulling – unless the doctors would [encourage me to].”

What are your thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s performance at UFC 302?

Alex Pereira confirms plans for rematch fight with Jiri Prochazka next, targets August return to UFC

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira had reiterated plans to make his next defense of his crown in a…

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira had reiterated plans to make his next defense of his crown in a title rematch against former gold holder, Jiri Prochazka – eyeing an August comeback to the UFC.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight gold holder and the incumbent light heavyweight titleholder, headlined UFC 300 back in April, successfully defending his title for the first time in a dominant first round knockout win over another former champion, Jamahal Hill.

Alex Pereira tipped to enter GOAT debate with third title fight victory over Jon Jones UFC — Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

Winning vacant 205lbs spoils back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira landed a second round knockout win over the previously mentioned, Prochazka at UFC 285, minting himself as a two-division just two years into his Octagon tenure.

Alex Pereira distances himself from fight with Magomed Ankalaev he's going to have to wait — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Offered an October comeback at UFC 307 in the Middle East, Pereira immediately knocked back a showdown with surging Russian force, Magomed Ankalaev, insisting the contender must wait in line for a title clash, now that he calls the shots in the division.

And appearing at UFC 301 in his native Brazil last month, Pereira confirmed he was targeting a title re-run with Prochazka in his next outing in the promotion.

Alex Pereira confirms plans for August return to the UFC

Seated front and center overnight at UFC 302 in New Jersey, Pereira confirmed to Sportsnet reporter, Aaron Bronsteter that he still wants to fight Prochazka in a rematch next, before laying out plans to compete as soon as August.

Alex Pereira weighs up Manchester fight with Tom Aspinall at UFC 304 I'm there

“Spoke with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and he told me that it looks like his next opponent will be Jiri Prochazka,” Bronsteter posted on his official X account. “He wants to return in August, but does not know which event the UFC has targeted.”

Spoke with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and he told me that it looks like his next opponent will be Jiri Prochazka.

He wants to return in August, but does not know which event the UFC has targeted.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 2, 2024

While an August return to the Octagon seems to be Pereira’s ideal landing pad, speculation is rife that a middleweight title main event is still in the works for UFC 305 in Australia, in the form of a clash between Dricus du Plessis, and Israel Adesanya.

Who wins in a future title fight rematch: Alex Pereira or Jiri Prochazka?

Alexander Volkanovski offers to fight Dustin Poirier after UFC 302 title clash loss: ‘You’re a legend, keep your head up’

Former featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has made an interesting offer to take on former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier…

Former featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has made an interesting offer to take on former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier in the immediate aftermath of the latter’s loss at UFC 302 overnight – urging the Lafayette native to consider against a likely retirement.

Headlining last night’s return to New Jersey, former interim champion, Poirier suffered an eventual fifth round submission loss to undisputed gold holder, Islam Makhachev, succumbing to a D’Arce choke defeat to the pound-for-pound number one.

Turning in a commendable performance against the undisputed gold holder, Poirier sliced open Makhachev in the fourth round with a nasty elbow during one of many scrambles – with judge, Chris Lee even leaving his scorecard up for grabs in the final round, with the bout even on his card.

However, taken down with a unique trip from Makhachev during a fifth round exchange, Poirier saw his neck immediately latched onto by the Russian, who sunk in a D’Arce choke – eventually forcing a tap before Poirier went unconscious.

And with speculation rife regarding a potential retirement from active competition following UFC 302, Poirier confirmed to color-commentator, Joe Rogan that his bout with Makhachev was likely the final of his storied mixed martial arts career, while thanking his family.

Dustin Poirier offered clash by Alexander Volkanovski

Urging to continue fighting nonetheless following his impressive performance against Makhachev, Poirier may have already been offered a lifeline back to a fourth undisputed title charge, by the above-mentioned, Volkanovski – who himself is eyeing a trilogy bout with Makhachev.

“I know he wants good fun fights,” Alexander Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “Obviously, we’ve got a lot of respect for each other, and I think that would be a massive fight, so that’s somethin that I’d be willing to do while I’m waiting for that featherweight title, maybe a lightweight fight against someone like Dustin Poirier will be great.”

“You heard it here first, maybe we can make something happen,” Volkanovski explained. “Dustin, you’re a legend – keep your head up, it was a great performance still, and maybe we could have a little fun in there, have a little dance – let me know what you think.”

Who would win in a potential bout: Dustin Poirier or Alexander Volkanovski?

Nate Diaz gives his brutally honest review of UFC 302

Nate Diaz was not enthused with the action at UFC 302. Returning to the Prudential Center in Newark, New…

Nate Diaz was not enthused with the action at UFC 302.

Returning to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the promotion delivered a dozen fights headlined by a lightweight title scrap between reigning champion Islam Makhachev and division fan favorite Dustin Poirier.

While there were a few bright spots, including Kevin Holland’s horrifying technical submission victory over
Micha? Oleksiejczuk, nine of the 12 bouts ended in decision — three split and six unanimous. Even Sean Strickland acknowledged that his five-round scrap with Paulo Costa left a lot to be desired.

“It was a boring fight, I’m sorry guys,” Strickland admitted after the fact. “That Brazilian goes backward fast, I’m not known for being athletic.”

Taking to social media, former UFC star Nate Diaz was in agreement, giving his brutally honest opinion of the action in The Garden State.

“Those fights were fukn boring,” Diaz wrote on X.

Despite some lackluster fights, UFC 302 delivered a handful of exciting finishes

Though things look less-than-stellar on paper, it wasn’t all bad. Jailton Almeida climbed back into the win column with a quick first-round rear-naked choke submission over Alexandr Romanov. And in the main event of the evening, Islam Makhachev put away Poirier via a darce after four-and-a-half rounds of action that left both fighters battered and bloody.

Of course, the highlight of the night went to Holland who slapped on a slick armbar seconds after getting rocked in his main card clash with Oleksiejczuk. Despite being unable to escape the hold, ‘Hussar’ refused to tap out, prompting Holland to snap his arm. That ultimately forced referee Herb Dean to step in and call for the stoppage 94 seconds into the contest.