UFC 302: Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier - Main card, start time, main event walkouts, and more
Following a two-week hiatus, the UFC is set to return to fans screens with the highly anticipated UFC 302 card next weekend.
The pay-per-view takes place in Newark, New Jersey at the Prudential Center and is set to feature a stunning night of action as the card plays host to a plethora of talent across the divisions.
Headlining the evening, Islam Makhachev will put his lightweight title on the line once again when he faces fan favorite Dustin Poirier. 'The Diamond' has yet to hold undisputed gold during his illustrious career and has hinted it could well be the last he steps into the octagon.
In the co-main, middleweights Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa also look set to deliver fireworks as both men are preparing for war. The pair are heading into the fight off the back of losses and are vying to right those wrongs and push for another title shot.
Rounding off the main card, Kevin Holland returns to face Michał Oleksiejczuk, Jailton Almeida and Alexander Romanov will throwdown in heavyweight matchup and Randy Brown takes on Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos.
The preliminary bouts will be available for viewers on ESPN+ or UFC Fight Pass, with the main card then exclusively being streamed on ESPN+ PPV. For UK fight fans, all of the evening's action will be available on TNT Sports.
In regards to time, UFC 302 is set to kick off at 6PM ET (11PM BST), with the main card following at 10PM ET (3:00AM BST). The main event walks are then expected to take place at 12:00AM ET (5:00AM BST) to culminate the evening.
Dustin Poirier hints that UFC 302 bout against Islam Makhachev could be his last fight
Dustin Poirier has alluded to the fact that his UFC 302 lightweight title bout could be the final fight of his career.
'The Diamond' has previously come up short on two occasions whilst chasing undisputed gold and is set for what could be his third and final opportunity next weekend. Poirier has also continually noted in recent weeks that he started out his career not wanting to fight past the age of 35, which he turned earlier this year.
Discussing UFC 302 and the fight during a recent interview with CBS Sports, Poirier left his future up in the air after he stated he wouldn't be willing to "climb the ladder" once again, if he falls short against Islam Makhachev. He said:
"I'm not going to climb the ladder again. I've been doing this (for) a long time. It's a very selfish sport. I'm ready to be a father and be a husband and be home and be into a routine. I wouldn't say I can't do it again. I can do it again. It's just ... this is it for me."