UFC 302 is set to return to pay per view this weekend, bringing an action-packed night to New Jersey. One of the deepest undercards of the year will be headlined by a pivotal lightweight championship bout between the reigning champion Islam Makhachev and the formidable challenger Dustin Poirier. As always, we’ve put together a comprehensive preview of this event, along with betting tips featuring the best odds available.
**UFC 302: Makhachev vs Poirier** Makhachev enters UFC 302 as the reigning lightweight champion, boasting an impressive 25-1 career record. His only loss came in 2015 against Adriano Martins, early in his UFC career. Since then, the Russian has been on a tear, aiming to extend his 13-fight win streak and secure his third consecutive title defense. What’s truly remarkable about Makhachev’s rise to the top is the dominant fashion in which he’s dispatched his recent opponents. Six of his last seven fights have ended in decisive victories, including his thrilling win over Alexander Volkanovski. If he can replicate this success against the tough and seasoned Dustin Poirier, Makhachev will cement his legacy as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. Poirier’s recent record has been inconsistent at best, with two wins and two losses in his last four fights. He’s beaten Michael Chandler and Benoit Saint Denis, but fallen short against Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. The 35-year-old’s recent record in the UFC is 1-2, with a victory over Max Holloway, but losses to Khabib and Oliveira. To avoid another title defeat, he must be at his best defensively. While he’s known for his aggressive style, Makhachev’s versatility and ability to break opponents down in multiple ways means Poirier could have his work cut out.
**Fighting styles** At his best, Poirier is a handful for any fighter in the world. He is exceptional with his feet and uses excellent combination work to force the opponent backwards. This is where he uses the most brutal combinations to wear them down. Makhachev, on the other hand, is one of the most dominant grapplers to ever grace the UFC lightweight division. His skills have evolved significantly with each fight, and he’ll be hoping to stop Poirier from getting into his groove as quickly as possible. **Verdict** As good as Poirier is, it’s hard to see where he gets it done against the champ. In his past three fights, we have seen Makhachev win by both TKO/KO and submission, and I don’t see this fight going any differently. However, Poirier has proven to be durable, so our bet of the day is a dominant win for Makhachev win in over 2.5 rounds.
**Sean Strickland vs Paulo Costa** The co-main event of UFC 302 sees Sean Strickland taking on Paulo Costa in the middleweight division. Strickland put on a show to take the belt from Israel Adesanya but looked far less impressive as he lost his title in a split decision to Dricus du Pleiss. He can earn another shot at the belt with a win against Costa but will need to perform a lot better. Costa is a fan favorite but has lost three in his last four fights, his only recent win coming against Luke Rockhold, who retired immediately after. Costa came close to beating Robert Whittaker in his last fight but has generally been outclassed by better opponents. Both Costa and Strickland are known for their aggressive fighting styles, which should make for a thrilling match. They both desperately need a win, and while Costa has knockout power, Strickland is the superior fighter. Our bet prediction is for Strickland to bounce back with a decisive win.
**Kevin Holland vs Michal Oleksiejczuk** Kevin Holland is a fan favorite known for his explosive punching power and trash-talking skills. However, his recent welterweight outings have been disappointing, with losses to Jack Della Madelena and Michael “Venom” Page. Now, he’s returning to middleweight for the first time in two years, seeking a much-needed win. Enter Michal Oleksiejczuk, his opponent for this bout. Like Holland, Oleksiejczuk has faced tough competition lately, losing to rising stars Caio Borralho and Michel Pereira. While he’s not an easy opponent, the matchup presents a golden opportunity for Holland to get back on track. If you love heavy strikers, then Holland is the man to back. He lands 4.39 significant strikes per minute, and one of our daily bet tips is for the American to win by submission.
**Jailton Almeida vs Alexander Romanov** Almeida and Romanov were once hailed as the future of the heavyweight division, boasting impressive grappling skills and promising careers. However, both fighters have struggled in recent years. Almeida came into the UFC scorching with six consecutive wins, including a victory over Derrick Lewis, but his momentum was halted by a knockout loss to Curtis Blaydes. A win here is crucial to revive his title aspirations. Romanov, meanwhile, has been competing in the UFC for four years, with six wins and two losses to his name. His defeats have come against elite opponents, making this matchup a litmus test for his progress. Romanov has shown a tendency to get tired as fights wear on, which means if Almeida can escape the first round, he will be in a great spot to win this. if you’re looking for expert betting tips, back the Brazilian to take the victory.
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