Tag: Islam Makhachev

UFC 302 video: Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier have intense debate at first faceoff for title fight

Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier exchanged plenty of words in an intense faceoff for Saturday’s UFC 302 title fight.

NEWARK, N.J. – [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] and [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] finally got a chance to cross paths Thursday ahead of their UFC 302 lightweight title fight.

Following the pre-fight press conference, Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) and Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) had their first staredown in advance of their anticipated championship collision, which takes place Saturday at Prudential Center (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+).

Both the champion and the challenge are intense characters. That made for an interesting faceoff between Makhachev, who attempts to tie the record for most consecutive 155-pound title defenses at three, and Poirier, who will try to make good on his third and likely final shot at UFC gold.

Checkout the video above to see the Makhachev vs. Poirier staredown from the UFC 302 pre-fight press conference.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

Video replay: ‘UFC 302: Makhachev vs. Poirier’ pre-fight press conference live stream

Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier, Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa will attend Thursday’s pre-fight press conference in Newark, N.J.

The UFC 302 pre-fight press conference takes place Thursday, and MMA Junkie will have a live stream of the event beginning at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT).

The entire main card will be in attendance, including [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] and [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag], who fight for the lightweight title in the main event, as well as [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] and [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag], who meet in the co-main event.

UFC 302 takes place Saturday at Prudential Center. The main card airs on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and early prelims on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

UFC 302 ‘Embedded,’ No. 4: ‘Put me in the corner’

In Episode 4 of UFC 302 “Embedded,” we find out when and why Khabib Nurmagomedov decided to be a cornerman for Islam Makhachev and others.

The UFC is back on the East Coast with UFC 302, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 302 (pay-per-view/ESPN/ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

In the headliner, lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) puts his belt on the line against former interim champ [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC). In the co-feature, [autotag]Paulo Costa[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) meets former middleweight champ [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] (28-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC).

The fourth episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Holland touches down in Newark. Makhachev signs posters and gets some cardio in. Costa goes for a swim. Poirier, Strickland, and Rowe entertain the media while Matthews tours New York City.

Also see:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

Kevin Holland has no doubt that ‘scary guy’ Islam Makhachev could become UFC welterweight champion

Even Kevin Holland himself says he wouldn’t look to pick a fight with UFC lightweight champ Islam Makhachev if he moved up a division.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] believes [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] would become UFC welterweight champion if he moved up a division.

Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) defends his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 302 (pay-per-view/ESPN2/ESPN+) main event at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Makhachev has reiterated his desire to chase dual-champion status, and Holland rates his chances very highly.

“Champ, champ, champ for sure, for sure,” Holland told reporters, including MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s UFC 302 media day. “I think Khabib (Nurmagomedov) could have done the same f*cking thing if he wanted to. So, yeah, for sure, for sure.

“I think Islam’s probably a little bit scarier to deal with. He knocked out Volk, and I don’t think Volk’s an easy person to put away, even though he just lost the last two being put away. I think a lot of that came from the Islam head kick. Yeah, scary, scary guy right there.”

Holland (25-11 MMA, 12-8 UFC), who takes on Michal Oleksiejczuk (19-7 MMA, 7-5 UFC) in a middleweight bout on the main card of UFC 302, doesn’t see Makhachev struggling with size at welterweight.

“I think the way those guys grapple over there, I don’t think it would matter if you are a heavyweight,” Holland said. “When they decide to get you down, they’re going to get you down. They are persistent, they work hard, and they’re really, really good at what they do. And I really suck at wrestling, so I wouldn’t want no problems with that guy. I know how to pick my fights. My momma taught me well.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

Michael Bisping: Islam Makhachev ‘a new, improved version’ of Khabib Nurmagomedov

Michael Bisping sees Islam Makhachev as version 2.0 of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

[autotag]Michael Bisping[/autotag] sees UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] as version 2.0 of [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag].

Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) will look to tie Nurmagomedov’s record of three lightweight title defenses when he faces Dustin Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 302 (pay-per-view/ESPN2/ESPN+) main event at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Nurmagomedov passed the torch on to his protege after retiring as undefeated lightweight champion in October 2020. Bisping thinks Makhachev is a more well rounded fighter than Nurmagomedov.

“Khabib came first, and he’ll always be remembered for that, for what he did to the sport, how he represented Dagestan and implemented that style,” Bisping told TNT Sports. “It took over the sport, let’s be honest. But his time has gone. It has passed, but Islam is a new, improved version. Look at the head kick knockout of Alexander Volkanovski.

“He’s much, much smoother on the feet. His grappling’s just as good as Khabib’s, or it’s certainly up there. He’s really molding into this champion. He feels it. He walks and talks with a certain bravado and an assurance that comes not from confidence or ego. It comes from knowing what he’s capable of.”

Makhachev revealed that Nurmagomedov will be in his corner for the first time since UFC 280, where he submitted Charles Oliveira to claim the vacant lightweight title. Nurmagomedov previously stated that he retired from cornering fighters, but appears to have changed his tune.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

Conor McGregor suspects Islam Makhachev has staph infection ahead of UFC 302: ‘Wash your f*cking self!’

Conor McGregor believes he has identified a staph infection on Islam Makhachev’s leg based on a UFC 302 photoshoot.

A photo of [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] from his UFC 302 pre-fight photoshoot was enough to send [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] into a fit about hygiene.

McGregor, who is not a doctor, believes he identified a staph infection on Makhachev’s left shin, and attacked the UFC lightweight champion and his team for their cleanliness. A dark, circular blemish is visible on Makahchev’s leg in the photo McGregor quote tweeted, which was enough for McGregor to give his diagnosis.

It wasn’t all bashing from McGregor though, as he added a prediction that Makhachev will still win the UFC 302 main event title fight in the opening round against Dustin Poirier.

“Staph again,” McGregor wrote on X. “This inbred however lives with Staph. This team is infested, make no mistake. Scruff balls. Whatever ya’s are into, I suppose. He still subs Dustin in the 1st.”

McGregor added in a second post:

“Yous absolute scruffy f*cks I’m sick of yous. Wash your f*cking self! Wash your clothes! Wash your mats! And do it fucking everyday you scruffy c*nts.”

Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) is just days away from a scheduled title defense in the UFC 302 main event against Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. (ESPN+ pay-per-view). The blemish visible in the current photo was not present in a similar photo during UFC 294 fight week, when Makhachev recorded his second title defense against Alexander Volkanovski.

If McGregor’s speculation is indeed accurate, it will be the second time in a row Poirier competes against an opponent with the infection; Benoit Saint-Denis had staph on his forehead when they competed at UFC 299 in March. Saint-Denis was prescribed antibiotics, which he said affected his performance in the second-round loss to Poirier.

Makhachev’s team has not responded to a request for clarification from MMA Junkie nor responded to McGregor’s claim at the time of writing.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

Islam Makhachev says Conor McGregor is training for Michael Chandler ‘in the club,’ mocks UFC 302 prediction

Islam Makhachev isn’t convinced by Conor McGregor’s analysis of his UFC 302 title defense vs. Dustin Poirier.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] isn’t convinced by [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag]’s analysis of his UFC 302 title defense vs. Dustin Poirier.

Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC), who has fought Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) three times in his career, said he thinks “The Diamond” can knock Makhachev out in Saturday’s headliner at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.(ESPN+ pay-per-view).

McGregor said Makhachev has “been knocked out by a back check hook from a southpaw before, and that’s one of Dustin’s best shots.” That’s true on paper with Poirier’s skillset, but Makhachev said it doesn’t apply to the matchup with him.

“Dustin can land this with Conor who has become very old guy,” Makhachev told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “But I don’t give him some chance to land some punch to me.”

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Makhachev has already expressed he would be open to a matchup with McGregor if the Irishman can win his highly-anticipated comeback fight with Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29 in Las Vegas. However, that possibility goes out the window with a loss.

There’s some red flags as UFC 303 approaches, too, with McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) recently being caught on camera partying at a nightclub less than six weeks from the event. Makhachev said the injury layoff combined with McGregor’s apparent lack of focus makes it a hard fight to pick, but he’s leaning toward Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC).

“I don’t know who is going to win, but now it’s more focus, more training Chandler that’s why he can beat him,” Makhachev said. “Maybe (Conor) do some camp in the club.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

Islam Makhachev: Dustin Poirier, coach don’t believe they can beat me at UFC 302

Islam Makhachev thinks Dustin Poirier doubts himself entering UFC 302 because of a lack of evolution since the Khabib Nurmagomedov fight.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] considers himself the best fighter in the world and thinks [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] might, too.

Ahead of UFC 302, Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) theorized opponent Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) might lack confidence with their fight. Makhachev hinted doubt might stem from what he perceives as lacking progression since Poirier fought Khabib Nurmagomedov.

“Honestly, he’s the same,” Makhachev told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “Maybe he become more old. He doesn’t believe he can beat me. His coach doesn’t believe he can beat me. I know I can make this fight easy.”

Don’t mistake Makhachev’s confidence for disrespect. He praised Poirier throughout his answers and valued what a win over him would mean for his career.

“I always was thinking about him because all his life he’s in top five,” Makhachev said. “It’s my dream to fight someone like Dustin who has big name in this sport. I’m very happy because he’s going to be on my list.”

Poirier has revealed an internally-debated retirement in interviews during the lead up to Saturday’s fight (ESPN+ pay-per-view). Makhachev hopes that doesn’t end up being the case.

“I hope he does not retire after this fight,” Makhachev said. “I think he’s one of the biggest names in this sport. That’s why I respect him. That’s why I respect him here because he has a lot of crazy fights in this sport. I’m just happy to beat someone who has a big name like Dustin, because for the legacy, it’s going to be maybe the biggest name in my list.”

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Makhachev, 32, has won 13 fights in a row and doesn’t plan on stopping. Eight of those wins have been finishes. Makhachev plans to notch his 14th win and ninth finish Saturday.

“Yeah, I will finish him because I’m on a different level,” Makhachev said. “I’m the best fighter in the world right now. … Honestly, my style is the worst style for him. He can beat some striker. He can be one of the best strikers in this game, but we’re not strikers. We’re MMA fighters. My skills are on a different level.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

Jeff Novtizky attributes Islam Makhachev’s 2016 failed drug test to ‘one of the greatest, colossal mistakes in anti-doping’

UFC’s Jeff Novitzky passionately defended Islam Makhachev’s failed 2016 drug test: ‘This mistake was on the anti-doping authority, not him.’

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag]’s 2016 positive drug test was a failure, but more so by the system than the athlete. That’s according to UFC senior vice president of anti-doping compliance Jeff Novitzky.

During Wednesday’s UFC 302 media day, Novitzky presented Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) with a 50-time perfect test jacket. Before doing so, however, he explained why Makhachev’s drug test failure eight years ago ahead of a scheduled fight vs. Drew Dober should not be held against the UFC lightweight champion.

“Islam did have an issue back in 2016. I actually talked with him and his team last week and I said, ‘I think we need to bring this up.’ And they agreed.”

Makhachev was 24 at the time, and pulled from the card during UFC on FOX 16 weigh-ins day. Then-UFC anti-doping partner USADA suspended Makhachev for three months, though said he was “without fault or negligence” because Makhachev took Meldonium after an issue with frequent ventricular arrhythmia.

“In 2016, USADA, who ran our program, put it on our prohibited list,” Novitzky said about Meldonium. “Before that, you were allowed to use it. He had a medical procedure back in 2014. He submitted documents that he used it under that. Ultimately, he was cleared by USADA. But in my opinion, one of the greatest, colossal mistakes in anti-doping. It affected not only Islam but several other UFC athletes and hundreds of other amateur Olympic athletes.

“That’s something that just cannot happen. That’s something you can carry forward with you and your reputation forever. I’m here today today to say that Islam absolutely did nothing wrong. This mistake was on the anti-doping authority, not him. It’s very important to note that.”

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The UFC and USADA have since split, in a very public and somewhat aggravated parting of ways at the conclusion of 2023. The current UFC anti-doping program is run by former FBI agent George Piro.

Makhachev has no history of drug test failures outside of the 2016 failure.  He fights Dustin Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 302 main event at Prudential Center.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.

Islam Makhachev hopes Dustin Poirier doesn’t retire after UFC 302

As far as Islam Makhachev is concerned, Dustin Poirier is “still a very dangerous guy” who shouldn’t be talking about retirement.

UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] is urging [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] not to retire after UFC 302.

Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) defends his title against Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 302 (pay-per-view/ESPN2/ESPN+) headliner at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Poirier knocked out highly touted rising contender Benoit Saint Denis to earn his third crack at undisputed gold. “The Diamond” said Makhachev could be his final fight, but Makhachev thinks Poirier still has a lot of fight left in him regardless of the outcome.

“He’s old, he’s talking about retirement, but I don’t want him (to) retire after this fight if I beat him,” Makhachev told NBC Sports. “This guy is dangerous. He can beat everybody. He’s number, like, top five in the world, you know? That’s why I don’t think it’s a good idea for him to talk about retiring, because he’s still a very dangerous guy. That’s why I’m preparing very hard for him.”

As for Makhachev, the champion isn’t concerned with what’s next but is open to whatever the UFC offers.

“I’m just thinking about my next fight,” Makhachev said. “It’s not my job thinking about the future because I have a manager. I have a team. I’m fighting in the UFC. They make the decision. Who they put against me, I will be ready. It’s going to be Arman (Tsarukyan), or it’s going to be Leon (Edwards), or it’s going to be someone else. I will be ready.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 302.