Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier is coming off a huge win at UFC 299 where he handed Benoit Saint Denis only his second career loss and now has another chance to claim eternal glory. Only one man stands in Poirier’s way and that is the reigning UFC Lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev. Their paths will cross on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey as the main event of UFC 302.
ISLAM MAKHACHEV (-550) VS DUSTIN POIRIER (+450)
Makhachev is the considerable betting favourite at -550 and rightfully so with a pro MMA record of 25-1. His only career loss was in October of 2015 and the Russian-born fighter has won 13 bouts in a row. This will also be his third Lightweight title defence as he is coming off back-to-back wins against Alexander Volkanovski. Makhachev also sits atop of the UFC’s Men’s Pound-for-pound ranking table and will be a tough opponent for Poirier. However, Poirier has 30 career wins and has beaten some of the greatest fights at 155 pounds including Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler.
SEAN STRICKLAND (-250) VS PAULA COSTA (+205)
The co-main event features the former Middleweight Champion, Sean Strickland facing off against the Brazilian Paula Costa. Strickland is coming off his sixth career loss where he also lost his belt to the current champ, Dricus Du Plessis. While Costa is coming off only his third career loss which he suffered to Robert Whittaker. Both fighter’s previous bouts went the distance but Stricklands was a close split decision. Strickland still retains the #1 rank in the Middleweight division while Costa will be trying to move up the ladder from the #7 spot.
RANDY BROWN (-175) VS ELIZEU ZALESKI DOS SANTOS (+150)
Fans will be treated to an intriguing Welterweight fight to kick off the main card. Randy Brown has won back-to-back fights and has won six of his last seven bouts. He continues to be one of the toughest fights in the division and can win anyway needed. Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos was involved in a draw on his last appearance but won his prior two fights. He too has shown he can win any way that is needed but he certainly favours the knockout as he has 14 KO/TKO wins.
CESAR ALMEIDA (-120) VS ROMAN KOPYLOV (+100)
Another Middleweight battle will take place as the feature Prelim fight. The undefeated Cesar Almeida faces off against the knockout specialist, Roman Kopylov. Kopylov has 11 wins by KO/TKO and ended four straight fights that way before losing by submission his last time out. Almeida may be undefeated but this will only be six pro fight and only his second in the UFC. He too is a knockout artist with four of his five wins coming that way.
PARLAYS TO PLAY
Johnny Chartrand (@JohnnyCMMA)
Roman Kopylov/Randy Brown/Sean Strickland/Dustin Poirier (+2320)
Trey Colbeck (@Treyharnesslink)
Cesar Almedia/Randy Brown/Paula Costa/Dustin Poirier (+4733)
For complete picks for the entire 12-fight card, listen to the latest episode of Cashing in on UFC here. All odds are from Bet99 and are subject to change.
The first early prelim fight is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EDT while the pay-per-view main card starts at 10:00 pm EDT on Saturday, June 1.