Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier: UFC 302 main event for lightweight title confirmed

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Islam Makhachev Dustin Poirier
(Getty Images/The Sporting News)

Islam Makhachev will look to defend his UFC lightweight title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey on June 1.

The bout was confirmed by UFC boss Dana White following the historic UFC 300 pay-per-view in Las Vegas.

White also confirmed the return of Conor McGregor, who will take on Michael Chandler in a long-awaited grudge match at UFC 303 during International Fight Week.

MORE: UFC 300, results, highlights: Alex Pereira & Zhang Weili retain, Max Holloway wins BMF Title in historic night for MMA

Poirier is looking to touch undisputed UFC gold for the first time, having previously held an interim title but twice fallen short when challenging for the full belt.

Makhachev has defended his 155-pound title twice, both to then-featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski, having defeated Charles Oliveira for the vacant strap.

The native of Dagestan in Russia last fought in October when he knocked Volkanovski out via headkick.

Riding a 13-fight winning streak, Makhachev is likely to go in as a solid betting favourite.

Poirier bounced back from a headkick knockout defeat of his own at the hands of Justin Gaethje to stop the rising Benoit Saint Denis inside two rounds last month.

At 35, "The Diamond" may well view this as his last chance at becoming an undisputed UFC champion.

Meanwhile, Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa will clash in a five-round chief support. 

UFC 302 confirmed bouts

Bouts and order subject to change

  • Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier for the UFC lightweight title
  • Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa; middleweight
  • Park Hyun-sung vs. André Lima; flyweight
  • Su Mudaerji vs. Joshua Van; flyweight
  • Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Romanov; heavyweight
  • Roman Kopylov vs. César Almeida; middleweight
Author(s)
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Tom Naghten is a senior editor for The Sporting News Australia.
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