The atmosphere at the UFC 302 main event press conference was tense, and the initially friendly tit-for-tat between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier quickly escalated into a confrontation. Just like in the previous fights, the two lightweights threatened to go for the brutal finisher and needed to be pulled apart. Makhachev moved in, and they exchanged some harsh words before the fight began.

Sooner or later Makhachev and Poirier started to exchange words with each other with the help of UFC announcer Jon Anik. When Makhachev got angry and raised his voice, the confrontation escalated to the critical phase, and security immediately intervened to prevent the participants from getting physical. However, the fight came as a surprise although it was somewhat expected given the simmering tension between Makhachev and Poirier especially when they were speaking to the media about their match on Saturday.

“Honestly, I think I am the best fighter in the world right now,” Makhachev said. “That’s why it’s going to be a bad day for Dustin. He has problems with the wrestlers always and I will give him that problem.

“I respect him, but when he faces with some high-level fighters who have wrestling and grappling, he always has problems. If not [for] me, Khabib [Nurmagomedov] or [Charles] Oliveira, he [could] be champion. I feel bad for him, but when he meet some good wrestlers and grapplers, he always has the same problem.”

Makhachev was annoyed by Poirier’s constant attempts to use guillotine choke, a submission hold that his opponent attempts but has never pulled off. Despite his professors advising him not to, Poirier insist on using the choke hold and is confident that he will pull it through. But Makhachev firmly believes that Poirier will not be able to win his first fight with that trick, and the two fighters begin an energetic fight.

During the Thursday pre-fight press conference, Makhachev and Poirier engaged in a heated verbal confrontation. However, the energy was at its peak during their staredown after the presser when the current UFC lightweight champion confronted Poirier aggressively before being held back by security.

“I’m going to knock you out on Saturday,” Poirier said after some initial confusion about Makhachev’s comments.

“How?” replied the UFC lightweight champ.

“Sleep,” said Poirier. “I’m going to sleep stop you.”

“You’re going to be diving for my legs, praying,” Poirier continued. “You’re going to be diving for my legs. You’re going to be laying and praying, that’s what you’re going to be doing.”

“Go to sleep, motherf*cker,” Poirier added.

“Don’t say motherf*cker to me,” Makhachev said, turning back angrily.

“Go to sleep, motherf*cker,” Poirier repeated.

“Don’t say motherf*cker,” Makhachev repeated

The two then engaged in a tense exchange before being separated.

“I have respect for you, brother. But don’t get in my face like that,” Poirier said. “We’re going to fight.”

UFC 302 is scheduled for June 1, and the venue for this event will be the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

With his third title defense, Makhachev, 32, aims to match the UFC record for most consecutive wins at 155 pounds.

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