Makhachev vs. Poirier UFC 302 Odds and Preview

By Hank Blaine • May 27, 2024

On Saturday night, one of the UFC’s most popular fighters hopes to take down one of the promotion’s most gifted champions when Dustin Poirier throws down against UFC Lightweight titlist Islam Makhachev in the main event at UFC 302. Before Poirier and Makhachev get it on, Paulo Costa continues his comeback in a bout against favored Sean Strickland. Which fighters should be on your radar to back to win on Saturday night in Newark? See below for UFC odds, analysis, and picks for the main card events at this Saturday’s UFC 302.

UFC 302 Event Info

Newark, we have arrived #UFC302 fight week is HERE!

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— UFC (@ufc) May 27, 2024

When: Saturday, June 1st, 2024. 10pm EST
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
TV: PPV
Live Stream: UFC Fight Pass

UFC 302 Main Card Odds

Fighter	Odds	Fighter	Odds
Islam Makhachev	-714	Dustin Poirier	+485
Sean Strickland	-238	Paulo Costa	+205
Kevin Holland	-278	Michael Oleksiejczuk	+235
Jailton Almeida	-245	Alexandr Romanov	+200
Randy Brown	-170	Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos	+140

UFC 302 Main Card Preview

Randy Brown vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

Zaleski dos Santos is in decent form with 3 wins, a loss, and a draw in his last 5. The +140 underdog in this is a knockout artist, going 14-1 via KO/TKO. But for a Brazilian fighter, his ground game leaves something to be desired, as Zaleski dos Santos is just 3-2 via submissions.

Randy Brown has won 4-of-5. In his last, Brown was terrific, beating respected Muslim Salikhov via first round knockout. Brown has a 4 inches height advantage. Back the chalk to cash.

UFC 302 Pick: Randy Brown

Jailton Almeida vs. Alexandr Romanov

Romanov has an excellent 17-2 record. Not only does the underdog have a good record, but he’s gone 6-1 via knockout or technical knockout and 9-0 via submissions. Romanov won his last via unanimous decision over Blagoy Ivanov.

Jailton Almeida lost his last bout. The fight was versus Curtis Blaydes. Before falling to Blaydes, Almeida had won 15 straight. Jailton gets back on the winning track with either a submission or knockout victory.

UFC 302 Pick: Jailton Almeida

Kevin Holland vs. Michael Oleksiejczuk

Dog Michael Oleksiejczuk has won 3-of-5. But although Oleksiejczuk is fighting well, his ground game has been awful. Both losses came via submission. Overall, the +205 dog is 1-5 via submissions.

Kevin Holland has 3 inches. Even though Holland has lost 2 straight, he’s fought the better opponents. Also, Holland’s game is more well-rounded, going 13-1 via TKO/KO and 8-3 via submissions. Give the chalk the nod.

UFC 302 Pick: Kevin Holland

Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa

14-3 Paulo Costa is 11-1 via TKO/KO and 1-0 via submissions. Costa fought for the first time since 2022 in February, losing to Robert Whittaker via unanimous decision. Costa fought well in defeat, but the dog may be taking a forward step too fast.

Sean Strickland is a former titlist who beat Israel Adesanya two fights ago and lost to Dricus Du Plessis in his last bout. Strickland is one of the two fighters in the middleweight division. He hands Costa a second straight loss.

UFC 302 Pick: Sean Strickland

Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier // UFC Lightweight Championship

Makhachev versus Poirier will be an entertaining bout for a while, but Dustin is up against it. The challenger comes off a victory against Benoit Saint Denis. Still, this is a massive step-up in class.

Islam Makhachev lone loss came in 2015. Right now, Makhachev is one of the top mixed martial artists on the planet. He’s won 13 straight and has beaten Charles Oliveira and Alexander Volkanovski twice in his last 3 bouts. Makhachev ends Porier’s night before the final bell.

UFC 302 Pick: Islam Makhachev

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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.