UFC 302 : Action Returns to the Prudential Center

This Saturday, the UFC returns to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for the tenth time, a venue that has hosted some unforgettable moments in MMA history.

Back in 2010, Georges St-Pierre defeated Dan Hardy at "The Rock." A year later, Jon Jones made history at UFC 128 by becoming the youngest UFC champion ever after his dominant performance against “Shogun” Rua. Jones returned two years later to defend his light heavyweight title against Chael Sonnen.

UFC 169 saw Renan Barão and Jose Aldo both defend their titles in a Nova Uniao double feature. Luke Rockhold earned his title shot at UFC 194 after a victory here, and most recently, Diego Lopes had his breakout performance against Movsar Evloev at UFC 288.

This weekend, the Prudential Center will host UFC 302, promising another round of memorable moments.

UFC 302 is headlined by a thrilling lightweight title bout. Reigning champion Islam Makhachev defends his title against former interim champ and two-time title challenger Dustin Poirier.

This fight is the classic "grappler versus striker" matchup, with Makhachev's ground game facing off against Poirier's striking. Makhachev is defending his title against a lightweight contender for the first time, while Poirier seeks the elusive undisputed championship.

Regardless of the outcome, this main event promises to be a fascinating conclusion to an exciting evening in New Jersey.

Makhachev, in his first year as champion, fought Alexander Volkanovski twice. In their first fight, he outlasted the former featherweight kingpin, and in the second, he claimed the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings with a first-round knockout.

Poirier comes into this fight off a second-round stoppage win over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299. This victory helped him bounce back from a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje and secure another shot at the undisputed title.

In the co-main event, former middleweight champion Sean Strickland faces perennial contender Paulo Costa in a five-round battle.

Strickland shocked the world by winning the middleweight title last fall but lost it in a close fight with Dricus Du Plessis in January. Costa, meanwhile, is coming off a hard-fought battle against Robert Whittaker in February. This marks the first time he’s fought twice in one year since 2017.

With major middleweight matchups on the horizon, this fight is crucial for both fighters. A strong performance could solidify their standing in the division and potentially set up a title eliminator later this year.

UFC 302 at the Prudential Center is set to deliver high-octane action and unforgettable moments. From the main event between Makhachev and Poirier to the co-main event featuring Strickland and Costa, the card is packed with intriguing matchups. As fighters prepare to leave it all in the Octagon, fans can look forward to a night of thrilling MMA action. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the sport, UFC 302 is an event you won't want to miss.