Dana White Announces Three Monumental Fights

Islam MAKHACHev vs Dustin Poirier

Islam Makhachev will be looking be make the joint most title wins in UFC Lightweight history as he takes on now third-time undisputed title challenger, Dustin Poirier, in the main event of UFC 302.

Makhachev fought twice last year as both bouts came against Alexander Volkanovski. The first fight occurred in Australia at UFC 284 where the Russian would be victorious, winning by unanimous decision in a Fight of the Year. Volkanovski would fight on 11 days' notice at UFC 294 after Oliveira would pull out due to injury, but would suffer a first-round knockout loss to the Dagestan fighter.

The Makhachkala-born mixed martial artist went on a 10-fight winning streak before getting a title shot, earning three consecutive submissions wins in 2021 before a TKO win over Bobby Green to have the opportunity to become champion later in 2022. Makhachev would become UFC Lightweight Champion after defeating Charles Oliveira by second submission at UFC 280.

Poirier recently fought at UFC 299 where he defeated huge French prospect, Benoit Saint-Denis, by second-round knockout to keep his #3 Lightweight contender's spot. It was an important win for The Diamond after he previously lost to Justin Gaethje by second-round knockout in the main event of UFC 291, losing the the opportunity to become the BMF title holder.

The Louisiana mixed martial artist has earned three title fights throughout his UFC career. The first occurred at UFC 236 where Poirier defeated Max Holloway by unanimous decision to become the Interim UFC Lightweight Champion. Poirier then would face Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 to become the undisputed champion but would fail as he lost by submission in the third round. Over two years later, Poirier earned another shot at UFC Gold but would come up short once again by third-round submission against Charles Oliveira at UFC 269.

Sean Strickland vs Paulo Costa

Sean Strickland looks to redeem his title loss at UFC 297 as the #1 Middleweight contender goes up against former title challenger and #7 contender, Paulo Costa, in the co-main event of UFC 302.

Strickland had the greatest year of his MMA career when he earned three wins in 2023. The first came against Nassourdine Imavov in a Light Heavyweight bout at UFC Vegas 67 where the Anaheim-born fighter would claim an unanimous decision win. Strickland would once again headline an event at the UFC APEX and earned a second-round TKO win against Abus Magomedov. The Californian would then earn a shot at UFC Gold as he faced Israel Adesanya at UFC 293, winning one of the biggest underdog fights by unanimous decision.

The former UFC Middleweight Champion did struggle a year before his title triumph as he edged out a split decision win over Jack Hermansson, but would lose to Alex Pereira by first-round knockout and Jared Cannonier by split decision. Strickland will hope to not start a losing streak after losing the Middleweight belt to Dricus Du Plessis in Canada, earlier this year.

Costa has not been very successful in recent times, only winning one of his last four fights. The Eraser last fought Robert Whittaker at UFC 298 and would come up short, losing by unanimous decision. The Brazilian's last victory was at UFC 278 as Costa would battle former UFC Middleweight Champion, Luke Rockhold, in the co-main event and win in an incredible three-round war. Costa fought for the title at UFC 253 but would not have much luck as he would lose to Israel Adesanya by second-round TKO.

Before his title loss, the Belo Horizonte-born fighter would go undefeated, stopping every opponent in his path by knockout as he would finish the likes of Uriah Hall and Johnny Hendricks. The only fighter that Costa could not stop was Yoel Romero as the two engaged in a crazy brawl at UFC 241 with the Brazilian still taking the victory by unanimous decision.

Conor McGregor vs Michael chandler

Conor McGregor finally completes his long-awaited return as he takes on his The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 31 rival coach and #5 Lightweight contender, Michael Chandler, in a Welterweight bout at UFC 303.

McGregor last fought in July 2021 when he suffered a doctor stoppage loss, due to a broken ankle, against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Since then, The Notorious has not been involved with the promotion until last year when he became one of TUF 31 coaches. This is the longest time that McGregor has spent away from the UFC as he was previously inactive after his fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018 before returning to the Octagon to face Donald Cerrone in January 2020.

There is a reason why the Irishman has become such an icon of the sport, earning a six-fight winning streak with five knockouts before fighting for the undisputed Featherweight title. McGregor became the first fighter in UFC history to hold two belts simultaneously from two different divisions, as he defeated Jose Aldo by knockout in 13 seconds to become the UFC Featherweight Champion and defeated Eddie Alvarez by second-round TKO to win the UFC Lightweight Championship.

Michael Chandler last fought at UFC 281 where he lost by third-round submission to Dustin Poirier. 'Iron Mike' has only had five fights in the UFC and has fought some of the biggest names in Lightweight history as these include, Tony Ferguson, Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. Chandler debuted in the promotion at UFC 257 as he would defeat Dan Hooker by first-round TKO before earning the chance to win the Lightweight belt at UFC 262.

Before his infamous run in the UFC, the Missouri mixed martial artist was very well-known in Bellator as he spent ten years with the promotion from 2010 to 2020. Chandler would be one of the greatest Lightweights to ever step foot in the Bellator Octagon as he would have three title reigns and would defeat the likes of former UFC Lightweight Champions, Eddie Alvarez and Benson Henderson, as well as tough contenders in the promotion such as Patricky Freire.