UFC 302: Makhachev vs Poirier delivered high-stakes championship action at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on June 1, 2024. The event marked the UFC's tenth visit to Newark and featured the debut of the promotion's new official fight gloves designed to minimize eye pokes. In front of a capacity crowd of 17,834 spectators—including former U.S. President Donald Trump—lightweight champion Islam Makhachev survived his toughest test to date, submitting Dustin Poirier in a dramatic fifth-round finish. The 13-fight card was heavily decision-based but delivered compelling action and controversial judging that sparked widespread debate.
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Main Card Results
Main Event: Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier - UFC Lightweight Championship
Winner: Islam Makhachev (Russia) via Submission (D'Arce Choke) at 2:42 of Round 5
In the most dangerous bout of his championship reign, Islam Makhachev proved why he's considered the UFC's pound-for-pound king by surviving adversity and securing a dramatic fifth-round submission over Dustin Poirier. The Russian champion retained his lightweight title for the third time at UFC 302, extending his winning streak to 14 fights in perhaps his most impressive performance to date.
The fight began ominously for Poirier when Makhachev clocked him with a punch just 40 seconds in, took him down, and immediately took his back. The champion spent the next four minutes hunting for submissions, switching between a rear-naked choke attempt and an arm-triangle. Poirier, wearing his heart on his sleeve, defended all attempts and survived the round despite being completely controlled.
The 35-year-old "Diamond" from Lafayette, Louisiana found his footing in the second round. As the fight progressed, it became scrappy and competitive—far from the one-sided domination many expected. Poirier successfully stuffed multiple takedown attempts and landed significant strikes, forcing Makhachev into the first bloody, grueling battle of his championship tenure. A cut opened above Makhachev's left eye, and as rounds accumulated, the champion appeared to be fading.
By the fourth round, the Prudential Center crowd was firmly behind the American underdog, sensing that an upset was possible if Poirier could win the final frame. The momentum seemed to be trending away from the champion, who was sporting a gnarly forehead cut and had been stuffed on several takedown attempts.
Entering the fifth round, Makhachev knew he needed a finish. Poirier came out firing immediately, reopening the forehead cut with early strikes. Just 30 seconds in, Makhachev attempted another single-leg takedown, but Poirier initially wasn't having it. However, in what proved to be the defining moment, Poirier made a weird exit from the scramble that allowed Makhachev to lock in a choke.
With championship instincts taking over, Makhachev rolled Poirier and secured a D'Arce choke. Within seconds, Poirier was tapping at 2:42 of the fifth round, or he may have gone unconscious—he laid motionless on the canvas as Makhachev's corner mobbed him in celebration. It was yet another display of creativity and championship resolve from the Dagestani fighter.
Post-fight, with legendary coach Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner, Makhachev called for his next challenge: "It's my dream. I want to fight for the second belt. I want to feel that energy again, because when you defend your belt, it's not the same. I need new one." The champion made clear his desire to move up to welterweight and challenge for Leon Edwards's 170-pound title.
For Poirier, the loss marked his third failed attempt at claiming undisputed UFC gold, having previously submitted to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira in title fights. The emotional veteran, fighting on what may have been his final night in the Octagon, seriously contemplated retirement post-fight.
"If I do fight again, what am I fighting for? Just to fight? I've done that 50 times," Poirier said. "I don't know. I've got a little girl I love, I gotta see. I think this could be it, honestly." Despite coming up short, Poirier arguably performed better than in his previous two title attempts, showing tremendous heart and keeping the fight competitive against one of the sport's all-time greats.
The dramatic finish earned both fighters Fight of the Night honors and $50,000 bonuses. Makhachev, now 26-1 overall, has defended his belt three times (though two came against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski). This victory over a true lightweight contender silenced critics who questioned his competition level and cemented his status as one of the division's greatest champions.
Co-Main Event: Sean Strickland vs Paulo Costa - Middleweight
Winner: Sean Strickland (United States) via Split Decision (46-49, 50-45, 49-46)
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland defeated Paulo Costa in the most controversial decision of UFC 302—a split decision that should have been unanimous. The 33-year-old from Riverside, California picked apart the Brazilian for five rounds with his signature pressure and unorthodox defense, but shockingly received a 49-46 scorecard against him from New Jersey judge Dave Tirelli.
The scorecards read 49-46 Costa (Tirelli), 50-45 Strickland (Chris Lee), and 49-46 Strickland (Sal D'Amato). Tirelli's absurd scorecard for Costa stunned the MMA community and sparked immediate outrage on social media, with analysts calling it "incredible incompetence" and "indefensible." Even UFC President Dana White criticized the judging in his post-fight press conference, calling it a "boring fight" but acknowledging Strickland clearly won.
From the opening bell, Strickland brought relentless pressure, walking Costa down across the Octagon and remaining in close pursuit for all five rounds. Costa had early success with leg kicks, landing several to Strickland's calf that appeared to impact his movement. However, that didn't deter Strickland from maintaining his signature forward pressure and methodical striking.
The pressure really got to Costa in the second round. "The Eraser" had no answers and spent much of the round fighting off his back foot, backing up to the cage. Strickland punctuated a solid five minutes of work with a punch that put Costa on the mat, though the Brazilian recovered quickly.
Throughout the fight, Strickland continued to pepper Costa with his jab, using front kicks to the body to keep the Brazilian at bay. While Costa was able to have some success with counters to the body, he struggled to connect with meaningful head strikes—landing unofficially only eight total head strikes through 15 minutes of action.
Strickland's defensive shell and movement caused persistent problems for Costa. His lack of rhythm and unpredictable timing made it nearly impossible for Costa to mount sustained offense. The Brazilian, who had called out Strickland extensively on social media, simply couldn't pull the trigger and spent most of the fight retreating.
In the fifth and final round, Strickland's offense hit another gear. He knocked Costa down with a head kick followed by a barrage of strikes and body kicks all the way to the final bell, leaving no doubt about the outcome—except, apparently, in Judge Tirelli's mind.
The victory marked Strickland's first fight since losing his middleweight belt to Dricus Du Plessis via split decision at UFC 297 in January 2024. Now 29-6 overall, Strickland is 4-1 in his last five Octagon appearances after putting together a Fighter of the Year-caliber 2023 campaign that saw him upset Israel Adesanya to claim the title.
Post-fight, Strickland demanded a title rematch: "I mean, obviously, I want the title fight, but, at the end of the day, I'm a fighter. I'm a prize fighter. So, you give me money, I fight, but that's what I want. That needs to happen." However, with buzz surrounding a potential Du Plessis vs. Adesanya matchup, Strickland may have to wait his turn despite earning the shot.
For Costa, the loss extended his skid to two straight defeats and dropped him to 1-4 in his last five fights. The Brazilian, one of the most popular fighters at 185 pounds, saw his championship aspirations take another significant hit. At 14-4 overall and 6-4 in the UFC, Costa faces an uncertain future in the middleweight division.
Kevin Holland vs Michal Oleksiejczuk - Middleweight
Winner: Kevin Holland (United States) via Technical Submission (Armbar) at 1:34 of Round 1
Kevin Holland injected much-needed action into the UFC 302 main card, securing a spectacular first-round armbar finish over Poland's Michal Oleksiejczuk. The victory was particularly impressive given that Holland was rocked early and appeared in serious danger before turning the tables dramatically.
The Polish striker floored Holland with a big left hand early in the fight, chasing the returning middleweight to the canvas in search of a finish. With Holland hurt and on his back, Oleksiejczuk appeared poised to capitalize. However, Holland recovered brilliantly and displayed the grappling acumen that has made him one of the sport's most dangerous submission artists.
From his back, Holland attacked an armbar, rolling through smoothly and maintaining control when Oleksiejczuk tried to escape. As the 15th-ranked middleweight extended the arm, a sickening pop echoed through the Prudential Center—Oleksiejczuk's elbow had been destroyed. Referee Herb Dean immediately stepped in to stop the fight at 1:34 of the first round.
The gruesome finish earned Holland a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Back at middleweight for the first time in eight fights after an extended stint at welterweight, Holland snapped a two-fight losing streak with his fourth submission win inside the UFC. The 31-year-old improved to 26-11 overall (13-8 UFC) and reestablished himself as a legitimate threat in the middleweight division.
Holland's ability to remain calm under pressure and transition to offense while hurt showcased the veteran savvy that has made him a fan favorite. His entertaining post-fight interview added to his reputation as one of the UFC's most charismatic personalities.
For Oleksiejczuk, the devastating injury loss was a crushing setback. The Polish striker, who had shown promise with his power striking, now faces a lengthy recovery from the elbow injury. The loss dropped him to 19-9 overall (7-7 UFC), with his inability to finish Holland when he had him hurt proving costly.
Niko Price vs Alex Morono - Welterweight
Winner: Niko Price (United States) via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
"The Hybrid" Niko Price snapped a two-fight losing streak at UFC 302 with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Alex Morono. All three judges scored the competitive welterweight bout 29-28 for Price, who picked up his first win since defeating Alex Oliveira in October 2021.
Morono came out sharp and crisp, throwing and landing with precision as Price looked to warm into the fight. The early rounds saw Morono controlling the pace and distance, using his striking to build an advantage. However, as the minutes accumulated and the fight entered the second and third rounds, Price started having more success while Morono began to fade.
The competitive fight turned into a one-sided tussle by the time the final horn sounded. Price's durability and late surge allowed him to take over the fight and secure the victory. For the eighth time in nine fights, Price went the distance, continuing his pattern of letting fights reach the judges' scorecards rather than securing finishes.
The victory improved Price to 16-8 overall (10-8 UFC) and provided much-needed momentum after consecutive losses to Randy Brown and Philip Rowe. The 35-year-old welterweight showed that he still belongs in the highly competitive 170-pound division.
For Morono, the loss at UFC 302 was disappointing given his strong start. "The Great White" fell to 23-11 overall (12-7 UFC) and saw a potential winning streak derailed. His inability to maintain his early pace proved costly against a durable opponent who grew stronger as the fight progressed.
Randy Brown vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos - Welterweight
Winner: Randy Brown (United States) via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
"Rude Boy" Randy Brown emerged victorious at UFC 302 over Brazil's Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in a back-and-forth welterweight clash that went the full 15 minutes. All three judges scored the bout 29-28 for Brown, who showcased his striking skills and defensive abilities in the narrow victory.
The fight featured early drama when dos Santos complained of an eye poke, but referee Keith Peterson controversially forced the Brazilian to resume fighting immediately without adequate recovery time. Despite the questionable officiating, dos Santos continued competing and made the bout extremely competitive.
Both fighters stood in a southpaw stance and engaged in tactical striking exchanges. Brown, the taller fighter, used his reach advantage effectively with feints, jabs, and checking leg kicks. In the closing seconds of the first round, Brown timed a jumping knee beautifully, jolting back dos Santos's head and stealing the round.
The second round saw dos Santos find more success, but Brown's consistent output kept the Brazilian from taking control. In the third and final round, dos Santos secured a trip and took Brown's back with time running out. He went for a rear-naked choke, but Brown defended calmly until the buzzer, showing veteran composure in the crucial final moments.
The back-and-forth nature of the contest made for close scoring, but Brown's consistency across all three rounds earned him the nod. The victory improved Brown to 19-7 overall (12-7 UFC) and kept him in the welterweight top 15. As a betting favorite in the welterweight division, Brown improved to 18-7 in 2024, with bettors who backed welterweight favorites all year earning significant profits.
For dos Santos, the narrow defeat dropped him to 23-11 overall (9-5 UFC). The Brazilian, known as "Capoeira" for his dynamic striking style, came close but couldn't quite do enough to sway the judges. His strong finish nearly stole the fight but ultimately fell just short.
Preliminary Card Results
Roman Kopylov vs Cesar Almeida - Middleweight
Winner: Roman Kopylov (Russia) via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
In an entertaining clash to close out the UFC 302 Prelims, Russia's Roman Kopylov rebounded from his February loss to Anthony Hernandez with a split decision victory over Brazil's Cesar Almeida. The judges were split on the outcome, with scorecards reading 29-28 Kopylov, 28-29 Almeida, and 30-27 Kopylov.
The fight provided the action-starved crowd with compelling striking exchanges between two middleweights looking to climb the divisional ladder. Both fighters had their moments across three competitive rounds, with Kopylov's consistency apparently swaying two of the three judges.
After entering the year on a four-fight winning streak, Kopylov got himself moving in the right direction again with the split decision nod. The 32-year-old Russian improved to 15-3 overall (5-2 UFC) and positioned himself for continued opportunities in the stacked 185-pound division.
For Almeida, a former kickboxing champion making his mark in MMA, the loss at UFC 302 marked his first defeat as a mixed martial artist. The Brazilian, who had transitioned from striking to MMA with early success, fell to 5-1 overall (1-1 UFC). Despite the setback, Almeida showed enough in the competitive fight to suggest he'll remain a factor at middleweight.
Jailton Almeida vs Alexandr Romanov - Heavyweight
Winner: Jailton Almeida (Brazil) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:27 of Round 1
Brazilian heavyweight powerhouse Jailton "Malhadinho" Almeida provided the UFC 302 preliminary card's lone finish, running through Moldovan grappler Alexandr Romanov with a dominant first-round submission. The finish came as a relief to fans after a decision-heavy card desperate for stoppages.
Almeida wasted no time imposing his will, quickly taking the fight to the ground and advancing to dominant positions. Despite Romanov's reputation as a submission specialist himself, the Brazilian overwhelmed him with superior pressure and technique. Working methodically from top position, Almeida secured back control and locked in a tight rear-naked choke.
With the submission sunk deep, Romanov had no choice but to tap at 2:27 of the opening round. The impressive victory allowed Almeida to rebound from his first UFC setback—a loss to Curtis Blaydes—in resounding fashion.
The 33-year-old Brazilian improved to 22-3 overall and 8-1 in the UFC, with seven of those Octagon victories coming by finish. Ranked #7 in the heavyweight division, Almeida reestablished himself as a serious contender and one of the most dangerous grapplers at 265 pounds.
For Romanov, the crushing defeat at UFC 302 dropped him to 17-3 overall (6-3 UFC) and raised questions about his ability to compete with the division's elite grapplers. The #13-ranked heavyweight had entered with his own impressive submission record but was completely outclassed by Almeida's superior technique and aggression.
Grant Dawson vs Joe Solecki - Lightweight
Winner: Grant Dawson (United States) via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Grant Dawson got back into the win column at UFC 302 with a commanding grappling performance against New Jersey native Joe Solecki. Fighting in front of his home crowd, Solecki was unable to prevent Dawson from implementing a dominant top-control game plan that earned unanimous decision scorecards of 29-28, 30-27, and 30-27.
Returning for the first time since suffering his first UFC setback, Dawson made a statement about his lightweight credentials. The fight began explosively with Dawson running at Solecki and throwing a flying knee immediately. When it didn't land cleanly, Dawson tried a guillotine choke as the grappling commenced.
Solecki showed moments of effectiveness in the opening round, threatening with a deep guillotine choke early and cutting Dawson with a short elbow off his back. However, from that point forward, "KGD" Dawson was in complete control. He put Solecki on the canvas and battered away from top position in each of the final two rounds, giving the New Jersey native little room to escape.
Throughout the fight, Solecki repeatedly defended takedown attempts with guillotine choke attempts, but each time Dawson escaped and continued his ground-and-pound assault. The pattern of the fight remained consistent: Dawson on top of Solecki by the cage wall, intermittently creating space to rain down punches and elbows.
In the third round, Dawson complained of a low blow immediately after both fighters threw kicks simultaneously, but action quickly resumed. Once again, Solecki defended with a guillotine attempt, and once again Dawson escaped. The grinding control continued until the final bell, with Dawson landing more elbows to seal the victory.
The win at UFC 302 improved Dawson to 21-2-1 overall (9-1-1 UFC) and reaffirmed his status as a legitimate lightweight contender. Known for his relentless wrestling and top control, Dawson showed why he's one of the most difficult matchups in the division.
For Solecki, the hometown loss was disappointing. The 31-year-old New Jersey native fell to 13-4 overall (8-4 UFC) and saw his home-crowd advantage nullified by Dawson's superior grappling. Despite showing submission threats throughout, Solecki couldn't overcome the relentless pressure and control.
Jake Matthews vs Philip Rowe - Welterweight
Winner: Jake Matthews (Australia) via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Australian veteran Jake Matthews continued his pattern of alternating wins and losses at UFC 302, defeating American Philip Rowe via unanimous decision with scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27. "The Celtic Kid" returned to the win column after losing to Michael Morales in his previous outing.
The opening round featured both fighters exchanging thudding calf kicks as they moved in and out of striking range. Matthews, moving around on the outside, darted in with jabs and convincing feints while landing calf kicks at will. Rowe managed to land a combination upstairs that clipped Matthews, then showboated in the center of the Octagon to punctuate the moment.
The grappling exchanges proved pivotal. Matthews briefly ended up on top before Rowe reversed to a modified mounted position in the center of the Octagon. As Rowe worked from Matthews's full guard, "The Celtic Kid" tried to move away but exposed his back. Rowe jumped on a rear-naked choke attempt but slipped off, ending up on bottom. Entertaining scrambling ensued with Matthews landing strikes from a modified mount as Rowe tried to return to his feet.
In the second round, Matthews was again the aggressor, stalking Rowe around the cage with hooks and low kicks. Rowe kept his jab in Matthews's face, but the Australian's pace never slowed. Halfway through the round, Matthews's pace appeared to slow slightly, but he continued throwing hard shots including body work. A solid three-punch combination to Rowe's head got the American's attention with 90 seconds remaining.
The final round opened with both fighters exchanging on the feet at a blistering pace before Rowe shot for a takedown and was reversed. The scrambling continued throughout the round, with both men showing moments of control but neither able to dominate completely.
The victory at UFC 302 improved Matthews to 19-7 overall, with the 30-year-old Australian maintaining his position in the welterweight ranks. A 10-year UFC veteran who debuted in June 2014 following a stint on The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia, Matthews has proven himself a durable and skilled competitor.
For Rowe, the loss snapped a three-fight winning streak. "The Fresh Prince" fell to 10-5 overall (6-5 UFC) and will need to regroup after the setback. The close nature of the fight suggests Rowe remains competitive in the division despite the disappointing result.
Bassil Hafez vs Mickey Gall - Welterweight
Winner: Bassil Hafez (United States) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
In a potential Fight of the Night candidate, Bassil Hafez and Mickey Gall spent all three rounds slinging hammers at one another on the feet, with each man landing power shots at different points throughout the bout. The judges awarded Hafez the unanimous decision with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
Hafez was the aggressor early, bringing the fight to Gall, who was returning to the Octagon for the first time in two years. The inactivity appeared to affect the New Jersey native initially, but as the fight progressed, he started to warm into things, finding his rhythm and confidence on the feet to work back into contention.
The striking exchanges were consistently entertaining, with both welterweights willing to trade leather and take risks. Power punches landed from both sides, creating the back-and-forth action that fans crave. Despite Gall's late surge and hometown crowd support, Hafez's early aggression and consistent output at UFC 302 earned him the nod from all three judges.
The victory improved Hafez to 10-4-1 overall (3-1 UFC) and established him as a legitimate prospect in the welterweight division. His willingness to engage in exciting fights should earn him opportunities against increasingly difficult competition.
For Gall, the return from a two-year layoff ended in defeat. The 32-year-old New Jersey native fell to 7-6 overall (6-6 UFC), with the rust from inactivity appearing to play a factor in the early rounds. Despite showing his trademark toughness and mounting a late charge, Gall couldn't overcome the deficit created by Hafez's early dominance.
Ailin Perez vs Joselyne Edwards - Women's Bantamweight
Winner: Ailin Perez (Argentina) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
In a grudge match that had been building for months, Argentina's Ailin Perez secured her third straight UFC victory at UFC 302 with a unanimous decision over Panama's Joselyne Edwards. The judges scored the women's bantamweight bout 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28 for Perez.
The fight lived up to its grudge-match billing with Perez using her grappling advantage to control Edwards for extended periods. The Argentine used her ability to hit throws and drag Edwards to the canvas to get herself into favorable positions, though Edwards often managed to reverse those positions and create scrambles.
The biggest individual blow of the fight came in the second round when Perez dropped Edwards with a clean spinning backfist. The spectacular strike momentarily stunned the Panamanian, but Perez failed to capitalize and finish the fight, allowing Edwards to recover and continue competing.
Despite the dramatic striking moment, Perez's consistent grappling control throughout the 15 minutes proved to be the difference. Her ability to dictate where the fight took place and accumulate control time swayed the judges in her favor.
The victory at UFC 302 improved Perez to 11-2 overall (4-1 UFC), with three consecutive wins since dropping her promotional debut. The 29-year-old Argentine has quickly established herself as a legitimate contender in the women's bantamweight division with her well-rounded skill set.
For Edwards, the loss was a setback after she had shown promise in her UFC run. The 28-year-old Panamanian fell to 13-6 overall (4-4 UFC) and will need to regroup after failing to settle the grudge match in her favor. Despite the spinning backfist that landed on her, Edwards showed toughness in recovering and making the fight competitive.
Andre Lima vs Mitch Raposo - Flyweight
Winner: Andre Lima (Brazil) via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Opening UFC 302, Brazil's Andre Lima secured his second promotional victory in controversial fashion, defeating promotional debutant Mitch Raposo via split decision despite missing weight by a massive four pounds. The judges' scorecards read 30-27, 28-29, 30-27, with one judge inexplicably scoring the fight for Raposo despite Lima's clear dominance.
The weight miss overshadowed what should have been a showcase performance for the undefeated Brazilian prospect. Lima failed to make the 126-pound flyweight limit, weighing in at 130 pounds—an enormous miss that cost him 30% of his purse (both show and win money). Having spent from 6am to 9am in a bath trying to cut weight, Lima ultimately couldn't get close to the limit.
In the cage, Lima's size advantage was immediately apparent. Fighting in the first UFC bout to utilize the promotion's new gloves designed to minimize eye pokes, Lima maintained a constant leg kick attack that systematically broke down Raposo. The short-notice UFC debutant switched stances multiple times throughout the fight as his legs were chewed up by the Brazilian's kicks.
Raposo appeared gun-shy and hesitant in his debut, struggling to get his offense going against the bigger, more aggressive Lima. By the end of the first round, Raposo showed clear damage to both legs and was forced to switch stances repeatedly to try to alleviate the pain.
The pattern continued through the second round, with Lima staying on Raposo with kicks while taking minimal damage himself. Referee Herb Dean paused the action to warn Lima for a finger poke that grazed Raposo's eye, then had to warn him twice more moments later. Despite the warnings, Lima's dominance never wavered.
In the third round, Lima knocked down Raposo with a brutal leg kick that nearly caused the American's leg to give out completely. Raposo finally shot for a takedown late, but Lima defended well and the two fighters continued on the feet until the final bell.
When the scorecards were read, Lima was shocked that one judge had scored the fight for Raposo. "I knew I had won all three rounds so when Bruce Buffer started saying the name of the judges I was scared," Lima said through a translator. "I was like no way they're going to give it to this son of a b*tch. It was pretty clear for me and I think everybody else."
Judge Dave Tirelli's 28-29 scorecard for Raposo joined his later 49-46 scorecard for Paulo Costa as two of the worst scores of the night, leading to calls for his removal from future events. The controversial judging nearly cost Lima his undefeated record despite clear dominance.
The victory at UFC 302 improved Lima to 9-0 overall (2-0 UFC), though the massive weight miss and questionable split decision will be footnotes on his record. Lima vowed post-fight to never miss weight again, stating he's upset with himself and working with his team to decide whether to remain at flyweight or move to bantamweight where he could weigh as much as 136 pounds.
For Raposo, the debut at UFC 302 ended in defeat despite accepting the short-notice opportunity and making weight professionally. The 30-year-old fell to 9-2 overall but will receive 30% of Lima's purse as compensation for facing an oversized opponent. His coaches urged him to be faster and throw off his feints, but the damage to his legs made it nearly impossible to implement their strategy.
Lima's victory was notable not just for the weight miss controversy, but because he's the fighter who was famously bitten by Igor Severino in his UFC debut in March. That incident earned Lima a $50,000 "bite of the night" bonus and led to Severino being cut from the UFC. Lima even got a tattoo commemorating the bite. Now with two UFC wins (one by DQ, one by split decision), the Brazilian prospect faces questions about his professionalism despite his perfect record.
Notable Moments and Controversies
Horrendous Judging: New Jersey judge Dave Tirelli delivered two of the worst scorecards in recent UFC history, scoring the Lima vs. Raposo fight 28-29 for Raposo despite clear dominance from Lima, then scoring the Strickland vs. Costa fight 49-46 for Costa despite Strickland's obvious control. Analysts, fighters, and fans called for Tirelli to be removed from judging UFC events, with some labeling him "the worst judge in MMA history."
Massive Weight Miss: Andre Lima's four-pound miss at flyweight was one of the most egregious weight failures in recent UFC history. Missing 130 pounds for a 126-pound limit represents a catastrophic failure in weight cutting. Lima forfeited 30% of his entire purse (show and win money), with the funds going to Mitch Raposo. Post-fight, Lima explained he spent three hours in a bath trying to make weight but physically couldn't cut further.
New UFC Gloves Debut: UFC 302 marked the first event using the promotion's redesigned fight gloves intended to reduce eye pokes. The gloves feature updated padding and design elements meant to keep fighters' fingers in a more curved position naturally. Despite the new gloves, multiple eye poke warnings occurred throughout the night, suggesting the problem may require more than equipment changes to solve completely.
Poirier's Potential Retirement: Dustin Poirier's emotional post-fight interview hinted strongly at retirement following his third failed title attempt. At 35 years old with 50 professional fights, Poirier questioned what he's fighting for if not the belt. While he didn't commit 100% to retirement following the defeat at UFC 302, his contemplative tone suggested his legendary career may be nearing its end.
Celebrity Attendance: Former U.S. President Donald Trump attended the event, sitting cageside among a star-studded crowd of 17,834 spectators. His presence added to the big-fight atmosphere in Newark and created significant buzz on social media throughout the night.
Decision-Heavy Card: UFC 302 featured just two finishes across 13 fights—Jailton Almeida's rear-naked choke of Alexandr Romanov and Kevin Holland's armbar of Michal Oleksiejczuk. The lack of finishes created restlessness in the crowd and led to criticism of the overall card quality despite the main event drama.
Controversial Officiating: Beyond the poor judging, referees came under fire for several questionable decisions. Most notably, referee Keith Peterson forced Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos to continue fighting immediately after an apparent eye poke without giving adequate recovery time, drawing criticism for fighter safety concerns.
Performance Bonuses
The UFC awarded $50,000 bonuses to the following fighters:
Fight of the Night: Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier
Performance of the Night: Islam Makhachev (dramatic fifth-round submission to retain title)
Performance of the Night: Kevin Holland (spectacular armbar after being rocked early)
Weight Issues
Only one fighter missed weight at UFC 302:
Andre Lima: Weighed 130 pounds for his flyweight bout against Mitch Raposo (limit: 126 pounds). Lima missed by four pounds and forfeited 30% of his purse. The bout proceeded at a catchweight with Lima fighting at a significant size advantage.
Joselyne Edwards initially came in one pound over for her women's bantamweight bout with Ailin Perez but successfully made 136 pounds after immediately stripping down.
Division Implications and Callouts
Lightweight Championship: Islam Makhachev made clear his desire to move up to welterweight and challenge Leon Edwards for the 170-pound title. "It's my dream. I want to fight for the second belt," he stated emphatically. However, with Edwards scheduled to defend against Belal Muhammad in August, Makhachev may need to wait or consider defending against top contender Arman Tsarukyan first.
Middleweight Title Picture: Sean Strickland demanded an immediate title rematch with Dricus Du Plessis, arguing he's earned the shot as the division's #1 contender. However, a potential Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya fight appears to be in the works, which would force Strickland to wait despite his convincing victory over Costa.
Poirier's Future: Dustin Poirier's contemplation of retirement leaves the lightweight division without one of its biggest stars if he follows through. At 35 years old and having failed three times to capture undisputed gold, Poirier has nothing left to prove but seems uncertain about continuing without a clear path to the title.
Holland's Middleweight Return: Kevin Holland's emphatic return to middleweight puts him back in the mix at 185 pounds after an unsuccessful run at welterweight. His submission skills make him a dangerous matchup for anyone in the division, and the Performance bonus suggests the UFC will push him toward ranked competition.
Looking Forward
UFC 302 will be remembered primarily for Islam Makhachev's championship resolve in surviving his toughest test and submitting Dustin Poirier in dramatic fashion. The main event delivered on its promise of high-stakes action, with Makhachev proving he's more than just a dominant grappler by weathering adversity and finding a finish when he needed it most.
However, the event will also be remembered for egregiously bad judging that nearly derailed multiple fights and sparked legitimate concerns about the New Jersey athletic commission's oversight. Dave Tirelli's scorecards were so far outside reasonable judgment that they threatened to overshadow the legitimate performances on the card.
The decision-heavy nature of the card (11 decisions in 13 fights) created pacing issues and restlessness among fans expecting more finishes. Only Jailton Almeida and Kevin Holland provided stoppages, leaving much of the card feeling anticlimactic despite competitive action.
Andre Lima's massive weight miss raised serious questions about fighter professionalism and weight-cutting protocols. Missing by four pounds at flyweight is unacceptable and gave Lima an enormous unfair advantage over short-notice opponent Mitch Raposo. The UFC may need to implement stricter penalties for such egregious misses.
Despite its flaws, UFC 302 delivered where it mattered most—in the main event. Makhachev vs. Poirier lived up to expectations and provided the drama necessary for a pay-per-view headliner. Makhachev's third successful title defense (and first against a true lightweight contender) cemented his status among the lightweight greats, while Poirier potentially closed the book on a Hall of Fame career.
The event marked a significant moment for the UFC with the debut of new fight gloves and a return to Newark after over a year. With a capacity crowd of 17,834 and celebrity attendance, UFC 302 delivered from a spectacle standpoint even if the overall fight quality fell short of expectations.
As the lightweight division moves forward, all eyes will be on whether Makhachev receives his desired shot at welterweight double-champion status or defends against Arman Tsarukyan next. Meanwhile, questions about judging quality, weight-cutting protocols, and Dustin Poirier's future ensure UFC 302 will remain a talking point for months to come.
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