Makhachev And Poirier Make Weight As They Prepare For War – ‘You’re Going To Sleep’
The weigh-in for Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier took place, as both fighters made weight before their UFC 302 clash on June 1.
Makhachev is the heavy favorite as the UFC Lightweight Champion seeks his third successful defense. Since winning the belt against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in 2022, he has beaten Alexander Volkanovski in consecutive fights. This time, he has gotten the help of Khabib Nurmagomedov, who will be in his corner. This is key since Khabib beat Poirier to defend his UFC Lightweight Belt.
Dustin is still searching for the elusive world title. In the biggest fights of his career, he has fallen short. Defeats to Khabib and Oliveira prevented him from winning the lightweight title. He was also knocked out by Justin Gaethje at UFC 291, as ‘The Highlight’ became the BMF Champion. This could be Poirier’s last fight, leaving plenty on the line.
In the co-main event, Sean Strickland fights Paulo Costa in a middleweight clash. Strickland has plenty to prove, having lost his belt to Dricus Du Plessis in a split decision. There was a feeling that Strickland had done enough to win, but he never got the rematch.
Costa initially accused Strickland of turning this fight down due to the lack of money. But now that it is happening, Costa has plenty to prove, too. He lost his previous fight at UFC 298 against Robert Whittaker. But Costa knows a win puts him closer to a title fight.
Pre-Fight Comments
“Honestly, I think I am the best fighter in the world right now. That’s why it’s going to be a bad day for Dustin. He has problems with the wrestlers always and I will give him that problem. I respect him, but when he faces with some high-level fighters who have wrestling and grappling, he always has problems. If not [for] me, Khabib [Nurmagomedov] or [Charles] Oliveira, he [could] be champion. I feel bad for him, but when he meet some good wrestlers and grapplers, he always has the same problem. I have to [use this submission] because his guillotine is always looking bad. He always makes some joke about the guillotine. I have to show him how to do it right,” Makhachev said
“I knock him out Saturday night. [And] I knock him unconscious. I’m going to pry that belt out of your hands, bro, Saturday night. He should listen to his coaches and box like they’re telling him to. Let’s box. Well, you’re going to sleep like it’s boxing,” Poirier stated
Weigh In
Full Results
Islam Makhachev (155) vs. Dustin Poirier (155)
Paulo Costa (185) vs. Sean Strickland (185)
Kevin Holland (185) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (185)
Alex Morono (170) vs. Niko Price (170)
Randy Brown (170) vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (170)
Cesar Almeida (185) vs. Roman Kopylov (185)
Jailton Almeida (241) vs. Alexandr Romanov (265)
Grant Dawson (155) vs. Joe Solecki (155)
Jake Matthews (170) vs. Phil Rowe (171)
Bassil Hafez (170) vs. Mickey Gall (170)
Joselyne Edwards (136) vs. Ailin Perez (135)
Andre Lima (Lima will forfeit 30 percent of his purse) (130) vs. Mitch Raposo (125)
Comments
Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.
