After UFC 300 wrapped up, Dana White announced three enormous upcoming PPV fights including a Top 10 middleweight clash for the co-main event UFC 302.
After the UFC 300 broadcast wrapped up, MMA fans around the world were celebrating one of the greatest nights in combat sports history; then came the post-fight press conference, and yet more headlines.
Dana White confirms enormous UFC PPV fights post-300
During the post-fight press conference, Dana White was in his typical flow celebrating both the event’s success and the performances of UFC 300’s superstars when he was suspiciously handed a small note.
After taking a moment, White officially announced two enormous PPV main events: June 1 at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier for the lightweight championship, and June 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas…
The return of Conor McGregor, with the former double champ finally confirmed to face fan-favorite Michael Chandler at welterweight.
Whilst these two bouts have understandably dominated the headlines, Dana White also announced a third fight alongside Makhachev vs Poirier and McGregor vs Chandler – one that is sure to be a ‘Fight of the Night’ contender.
Sean Strickland vs Paulo Costa confirmed for UFC 302 co-main event
Alongside the lightweight title fight and the long-awaited return of Conor McGregor, Dana White also announced that Top 10 middleweights will throw down when Sean Strickland faces Paulo Costa.
That fight between the former middleweight title holder and former title challenger is scheduled for five rounds and will be the co-main event to Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier at UFC 302.
At the time of writing, Sean Strickland is the #1 ranked middleweight contender in the world and is coming off a split-decision loss to Dricus du Plessis in January.
Meanwhile, Costa is ranked #7 and despite recently falling short to #3 ranked Robert Whittaker at UFC 298, remains one of the most popular athletes in the entire UFC middleweight division.
Rankings aside, the announcement shouldn’t come as a surprise to fans, given that the two also verbally agreed to fight after recent back-and-forth on social media – with Costa only last week claiming that Strickland had rejected their initial bout offer.
Strickland responded: “Well had a meeting with the UFC and told them that I don’t want to be rich. I want to be able to support a family after my career is done… They actually were pretty supportive, made it happen. Thank you fans! Alright @BorrachinhaMMA you got your wish… Let’s do some bleeding.”
UFC 302 will be held on Saturday, June 1 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey; with Tapology listing the following fights as set to feature on that PPV:
- Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier
- Sean Strickland vs Paulo Costa
- Roman Dolidze vs Anthony Hernandez
- Jailton Almeida vs Alexandr Romanov
- Joselyne Edwards vs Ailin Perez
- Mickey Gall vs Bassil Hafez
- Grant Dawson vs Joe Solecki
- Phil Rowe vs Jake Matthews
- Hyun Sung Park vs Andre Lima
- Niko Price vs Jeremiah Wells
- Sumudaerji vs Joshua Van
- Roman Kopylov vs Cesar Almeida
The main events for the next three PPV events are Pantoja vs Erceg (UFC 301, May 4), Makhachev vs Poirier (UFC 302, June 1), and McGregor vs Chandler (UFC 303, June 29).