It was an action-packed evening at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, as UFC 302 delivered a night to remember. With 12 bouts on the card, fans were treated to high-octane fights, dramatic finishes, and even a special appearance from former President Donald Trump. Here’s a breakdown of the key highlights from the event.
Main Event: Makhachev Retains Lightweight Title
In the main event, Islam Makhachev faced off against Dustin Poirier for the UFC Lightweight Championship. Makhachev, the top pound-for-pound fighter, secured a submission victory in the fifth round. Despite the crowd’s support for Poirier, who hails from the United States, Makhachev dominated the bout with his grappling skills. The decisive moment came at 2:42 of the final round when Makhachev locked Poirier into a D’Arce choke, forcing him to tap out. After the fight, Makhachev expressed his interest in moving up to the welterweight division to pursue a second title.
Makhachev subduing Poirier
Co-Main Event: Strickland Bests Costa
In the co-main event, Sean Strickland faced Paulo Costa in a middleweight clash. Strickland, fighting for the first time since losing his title to Dricus Du Plessis, won by split decision. The fight saw Strickland pressing forward relentlessly, while Costa struggled to keep up. Despite a stronger showing from Costa in the later rounds, Strickland’s early dominance earned him the victory. The scorecards read 49-46, 50-45, and 49-46 in Strickland’s favor.
After his win, Strickland made headlines by taking a photo with Donald Trump and expressing support for the former president during his in-ring interview. Strickland called the fight “boring” and apologized to the crowd but added a shoutout to Trump, criticizing the legal issues Trump is facing and calling it a “travesty.”
Strickland and Trump in Las Vegas
Other Notable Fights
- Kevin Holland vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk: Holland secured a swift victory with a gruesome armbar that forced the referee to stop the fight. Despite Oleksiejczuk’s protests, the decision stood. Holland celebrated with a quick exit to greet Trump, who was seated ringside.
- Niko Price vs. Alex Morono: In a rematch from UFC Fight Night 104, Price outlasted Morono to win by unanimous decision. Both fighters had their moments, but Price’s endurance proved decisive.
- Randy Brown vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos: Brown pulled off a remarkable turnaround to defeat dos Santos by unanimous decision. Despite dos Santos nearly securing a submission in the second round, Brown’s resilience and striking in the third round earned him the win.
- Roman Kopylov vs. Cesar Almeida: Kopylov won by split decision in a bout that saw him controlling much of the fight on the ground, despite Almeida’s spirited efforts.
- Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Romanov: Almeida achieved the first submission of the night, defeating Romanov with a rear-naked choke in the first round. Almeida’s quick work earned him praise and a chance to showcase his dance moves in the ring.
Trump’s Presence
Former President Donald Trump’s appearance at UFC 302 added a unique twist to the night. Accompanied by UFC President Dana White, Trump received a warm welcome from the crowd. He greeted fans and celebrities, including comedian Theo Von, before taking his seat. Trump’s presence was especially notable given his recent legal troubles, as he was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records earlier in the week.
Trump’s appearance at UFC events has become somewhat of a tradition, highlighting his close friendship with Dana White. Throughout the night, fighters like Sean Strickland and Kevin Holland took the opportunity to interact with Trump, acknowledging his presence and showing their support. Strickland’s in-ring shoutout and Holland’s post-fight greeting were standout moments, highlighting the blend of sports and politics that often accompanies major UFC events.
Trump at UFC 302
UFC 302 was a night of intense battles and notable appearances. Makhachev and Strickland emerged victorious in their respective bouts, while Trump’s attendance added an extra layer of drama to the evening. The event set the stage for more thrilling UFC action in the weeks to come.
