Highlights
UFC 302, held in Newark, New Jersey, on December 10, 2023, delivered a night of thrilling action and unexpected finishes. From the main event’s grueling battle to the undercard’s surprising upsets, the event kept fans on the edge of their seats. Let’s delve into the highlights of each fight:
UFC 302 result Main Event: Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier
The highly anticipated main event saw lightweight champion Islam Makhachev defend his title against the legendary Dustin Poirier. The fight lived up to the hype, with both fighters showcasing their strengths. Makhachev dominated the early rounds with his relentless grappling and pressure, while Poirier displayed his resilience and striking prowess.
As the fight progressed, Makhachev’s relentless pressure seemed to wear down Poirier. In the fifth round, Makhachev secured a D’arce choke, forcing Poirier to tap out with just over two minutes remaining. This victory extended Makhachev’s winning streak to 14 and solidified his position as one of the most dominant lightweight champions in UFC history.
UFC 302 Co-Main Event: Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa
The co-main event featured a clash of styles between middleweight contenders Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa. Strickland, known for his unorthodox striking and unpredictable nature, kept Costa guessing throughout the fight. Costa, a powerful striker with knockout power, looked to land a big shot to end the fight.
The fight was a close and tactical affair, with both fighters landing significant strikes. In the end, the judges awarded Strickland a split decision victory, much to the surprise of many fans who expected Costa’s power to prevail.
Other Notable Fights:
- Kevin Holland vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk: Holland wasted no time, securing a quick technical submission victory via armbar in just over a minute of the first round.
- Niko Price vs. Alex Morono: This fight went the distance, with Price grinding out a unanimous decision victory in a grueling battle.
- Randy Brown vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos: Brown earned a hard-fought unanimous decision win in a close and competitive fight.
- Roman Kopylov vs. Cesar Almeida: Kopylov secured a split decision victory in a back-and-forth battle that showcased both fighters’ skills.
- Jailton Almeida vs. Alexandr Romanov: Almeida delivered a dominant performance, submitting Romanov with a rear-naked choke in the first round.
- Grant Dawson vs. Joe Solecki: Dawson controlled the fight from start to finish, earning a unanimous decision victory.
- Jake Matthews vs. Philip Rowe: Matthews displayed his striking prowess, winning a unanimous decision in a well-rounded performance.
- Bassil Hafez vs. Mickey Gall: Hafez dominated the fight, winning a unanimous decision in a convincing display of his skills.
Additional Information on UFC 302
Here are some additional details about UFC 302:
Performance Bonuses:
- Fight of the Night: Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa
- Performance of the Night: Kevin Holland and Jailton Almeida
Attendance and Gate:
- The event drew an attendance of 17,135 and generated a gate revenue of $3.4 million.
Post-Fight Reactions:
- Makhachev: He expressed his respect for Poirier and acknowledged the difficulty of the fight. He also stated his desire to unify the lightweight titles.
- Poirier: He praised Makhachev’s skills and congratulated him on the victory. He also hinted at potentially moving up to welterweight in the future.
- Strickland: He was happy with his performance and called for a title shot against the winner of the upcoming middleweight championship fight.
- Costa: He was disappointed with the loss but expressed his respect for Strickland.
Impact on the UFC:
- UFC 302 solidified Islam Makhachev’s position as a dominant force in the lightweight division.
- The event also showcased the continued success of Sean Strickland and the emergence of Jailton Almeida as a potential contender in the heavyweight division.
- The unexpected finishes and close decisions throughout the card kept fans engaged and generated significant discussion and debate within the MMA community.
Overall, UFC 302 provided a night of exciting fights with unexpected outcomes. The main event showcased the dominance of Islam Makhachev, while the co-main event saw Sean Strickland pull off a surprising upset. The undercard delivered a mix of close decisions, dominant performances, and quick finishes, making it a memorable event for UFC fans.