UFC 302 will kick off what is set to be the most enthralling month of combat sports action this year. Opening up the show on June 1, we will see some of the biggest stars take to the Octagon in subsequent weeks. That said, the fans have made a very interesting observation regarding Islam Makhachev, which could potentially make things much more exciting.
For those unaware, UFC lightweight champion and pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev is all set to make his third title defense at UFC 302. Taking on a mainstay, former interim title holder, and two-time challenger Dustin Poirier, Islam is an overwhelming favorite to emerge victorious from the contest. Currently, on a 13-fight win streak, Makhachev has established himself as the rightful king of the lightweights.
Get ’em while you can!#UFC302 is ON SALE NOW 🚨
We’ll see you there: https://t.co/uXAg0DZ6db#VisitNJ | @Visit_NJ | @PruCenter pic.twitter.com/72jlF0uytc
— UFC (@ufc) April 19, 2024
That said, scheduling conflicts see him take on the #4 ranked Dustin Poirier, who is fresh off a win against #13 ranked Benoit Saint Denis only a couple of months ago. All things considered, Poirer is nearing the end of his fighting career and a loss could possibly see him call time on his career. That said, recent findings suggest that Dustin could well have a triumphant finish to his story.
What is the “Paulo Costa curse” and how is Islam Makhachev at risk from it?
Ahead of UFC 302, fans have come up with an interesting finding. As is the case in MMA, we have had numerous ‘curses’ that have seemingly had an adverse effect on a champion’s performance inside the Octagon. Over the years, we have seen the PRIME athlete curse, the 35-year-old champ curse, the haircut curse, the Drake curse, and the UFC game cover curse, among others.
That said, a recent finding has brought forth the “Paulo Costa” curse, which has led to any and all champions fighting on the same card as him to lose their title on the occasion. Thus, many feel that the same could be set to occur at UFC 302, wherein the Brazilian faces former champ Sean Strickland. As per the curse, Costa made his second UFC appearance at UFC 212, where in the main event, Jose Aldo lost his featherweight title to Max Holloway.
For all those still thinking Poirier will lose at UFC 302:
Every time Costa has shared a PPV with a Champion, they always lose.
It’s Written in the GOD DAMN STARS!!! pic.twitter.com/dUchfud6sV
— TheSportsAlien 💎 (@Sports_Alien_OG) May 6, 2024
Similarly, his next appearance at UFC 217 saw Michael Bisping lose his middleweight title to Georges St-Pierre. Thereafter, Costa would fight at UFC 22 where Daniel Cormier beat Stipe Miocic. Coincidentally, he was also present for the rematch at 241, where Stipe won. That said, the trend has further continued at UFC 278 and UFC 298 where Kamaru Usman and Alexander Volkanovksi have also lost their respective titles.
For the most part, the only exceptions to this curse have been when Costa has fought on a fight night card or at UFC 253, where he himself was challenging for a title. Thus, seeing that the trend is too strong to be a coincidence, the fans are fully hopping on the train and calling for Dustin Poirier to upset Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.
What does Islam Makhachev make of his opponent, Dustin Poirier ahead of UFC 302?
For the most part, many view the fight as a formality for Islam Makhachev. Prior to UFC 300, it was revealed that the winner of Max Holloway-Justin Gaethje or Charles Oliveira-Arman Tsarukyan would get the nod for the title shot. However, as Dustin Poirier has since revealed, Arman Tsarukyan seemingly turned down the short-notice fight against the champion. As a result, Poirier, fresh off a superb win over Benoit Saint Denis was chosen instead.
Notably, ‘The Diamond’ called for the fight immediately after his win at UFC 299. Surprisingly, Islam Makhachev was seemingly game for it as well. In the end, it has come to fruition and Islam Makhachev will get his long-awaited opportunity to face Poirier. That said, he has had a lot to say about his opponent in the build-up as well.
“Honestly, my fight style is bad for Dustin because we saw his fight with Max Holloway, and with other people who have good striking. I think best boxing in the sport, in my division, Dustin have, honestly. He beat everybody, in the striking, nobody can beat him.”
“But, for the fighter who have good wrestling, and good grappling, he have bad points. He lose with Khabib, who have good wrestling, good grappling, he lose with Charles Oliveira. That’s why, my opinion, my style is bad for him.”
All in all, a rather fair assessment on the champion’s part, he highlighted both the good and bad about his opponent. That said, Dustin Poirier has not taken well to some of the things the champ has had to say and almost feels that Islam Makhachev may even be underestimating him a little bit. That said, taking into consideration the new ‘Paulo Costa curse’, a huge upset could be on the cards for the champ if he is not careful enough.