UFC 302: Makhachev v Poirier: Fight date, time, undercard & how to watch

New Jersey will take centre stage on 1st June as Islam Makhachev gets set to defend his lightweight title when he comes up against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302.

It looks to be the last-chance saloon for Poirier as he takes an unenviable 0-2 title fight record into this bout.

Another failure and it could be the last time Poirier is seen challenging in the top division, while Makhachev will look to defend his title for the first time since beating Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the highly-anticipated UFC 302.

UFC 302: Makhachev v Poirier date

The fight card is scheduled for Saturday 1st June but with the event taking place in the United States, the schedule will run into 2nd June for UK viewers.

UFC 302: Makhachev v Poirier time

The preliminary card will get underway at 23:00 UK time on 1st June, with the main card expected to get going at around 03:00 on 2nd June.

UFC 302: Makhachev v Poirier venue and location

Newark, New Jersey will be the focus of the UFC world on 1st June, with the Prudential Center the place to be.

Opened back in 2007, the Prudential Center is the home of the National Hockey League side the New Jersey Devils.

With a capacity of up to 19,500, this venue has hosted a series of UFC events in the past, with the first held just after its opening in 2007 at UFC 78: Validation.

The Prudential Center has held eight UFC events since, with the last being UFC 288: Sterling vs. Cejudo back on 6th May 2023.

UFC 302: Makhachev v Poirier how to watch

UK fans can catch all the action from the preliminary rounds onwards on TNT Sports Box Office, while fans can also watch the preliminary action live on the UFC Fight Pass.

Islam Makhachev record

The 32-year-old Russian boasts a 25-1 record going into this next fight and should be feeling fresh, with his last fight coming against Volknaovski in October 2023.

Dropping his opponent with a kick to the head, before a flurry of ground strikes, it was an impressive performance from Makhachev at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

With his last and only defeat coming against Adriano Martins back in October 2015, Makhachev has gone on to win his following 12 fights ahead of his trip to Newark.

Dustin Poirier record

The 35-year-old out of Lafayette, Louisiana will be looking to make the lightweight title his own when he takes on the ruthless Makhachev.

Poirier goes into this bout having already fought this year against Benoit Saint Denis on 9th March.

The Diamond earned the victory in the second round by KO/TKO and will be ready to go again for his latest big shot at the title.

Poirier has had three defeats in the last five years, with the likes of Makhachev’s trainer Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje all getting the better of him.

Two highlights of Poirier’s career to date where the back-to-back wins he secured over Conor McGregor in January and July of 2021.

UFC 302: Makhachev v Poirier fight card

Islam Makhachev v Dustin Poirier (Lightweight)
Sean Strickland v Paulo Costa (Middleweight)
Randy Brown v Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (Welterweight)
Cesar Almeida v Roman Kopylov (Middleweight)
Tatsuro Taira v Joshua Van (Flyweight)
Niko Price v Alex Morono (Welterweight)
Jailton Almeida v Alexander Romanov (Heavyweight)
Mickey Gall v Bassil Hafez (Welterweight)
Philip Rowe v Jake Matthews (Welterweight)
Grant Dawson v Joe Solecki (Lightweight)
Ailin Perez v Joselyne Edwards (Bantamweight)

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.