UFC 302: Full card, start time and where to watch as Islam Makhachev defends lightweight title
![Islam Makhachev celebrates winning his fight](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.planetsport.com%2Fimage-library%2Fland%2F700%2Fi%2Fislam-makhachev-celebrates-winning-his-fight.webp&w=3840&q=75)
The Prudential Center in Newark plays host to a huge night of UFC action as Islam Makhachev puts his lightweight championship on the line against Dustin Poirier.
There’s no doubt about it – Poirier is a UFC legend having delivered unforgettable moments and playing his part in some incredible bouts.
However, the one thing that has always eluded the American fighter is the UFC lightweight championship.
Back in 2019, The Diamond claimed the interim strap following a victory over Max Holloway. Just five months later, Poirier took on Khabib Nurmagomedov for the main belt but ultimately came up short.
His next shot at the title came in 2021. On that occasion, it was Charles Oliveira who denied Poirier the gold with a third-round submission victory.
Poirier, who is now 35-year-old, will get his third shot at the championship when he battles the seemingly indomitable Islam Makhachev.
The Russian heads into this bout on the back of successive victories over Alexander Volkanovski.
The defending champion is on a 13-fight winning run and hasn’t tasted defeat since a KO loss to Adriano Martins at UFC 192 back in 2015.
Elsewhere on the card, former middleweight champion Sean Strickland will be looking for an immediate return to winning ways when he battles Paulo Costa in a much-anticipated clash.
Fellow middleweight Kevin Holland is also in action as he prepares to square off with Poland’s Michal Oleksiejczuk.
The main card begins at 10pm ET and 3am BST. Meanwhile, the main event ring walks are expected at around 12am ET and 5am BST.
Fans in the United States can watch main card action live on ESPN+ PPV while viewers in the UK can enjoy the fights via TNT Sports Box Office. Canadian fight fans can follow the action on DAZN.
UFC 302 full card:
UFC Lightweight Championship
Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier
Middleweight bout
Sean Strickland vs Paulo Costa
Middleweight bout
Kevin Holland vs Michal Oleksiejczuk
Heavyweight bout
Jailton Almeida vs Alexander Romanov
Welterweight bout
Randy Brown vs Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos
Preliminary card
Middleweight bout
Cesar Almeida vs Roman Kopylov
Lightweight bout
Grant Dawson vs Joe Solecki
Welterweight bout
Phil Rowe vs Jake Matthews
Welterweight bout
Niko Price vs Alex Morono
Early preliminary card
Welterweight bout
Mickey Gall vs Bassil Hafez
Women's bantamweight bout
Ailin Perez vs Joselyne Edwards
Flyweight bout
Mitch Raposo vs Andre Lima