Dustin Poirier and Islam Makhachev got heated in their pre-fight faceoff for UFC 302 this weekend, with ‘The Diamond’ ultimately laying down the law.

A rather strange and disjointed pre-fight press conference last night in Newark, New Jersey, ended with an intense faceoff between lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and challenger Dustin Poirier as the pair came remarkably close to a physical exchange.

Dustin Poirier face-off with Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 302

Makhachev was the first to lean in during the pre-fight press conference face-off, mentioning something inaudible about Dustin Poirier’s previous fights in Abu Dhabi; either the submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov, or TKO win over Conor McGregor.

Poirier responded by stating that he is not only going to defeat the Russian demolition man but finish him inside the distance.

“I’m going to knock you out Saturday night, I’m going to knock you out on Saturday – sleep, I’m going to sleep slap you, I’m gonna sleep slap you.

“You’re going to be diving for my legs praying, you’re gonna be diving for my legs [and] you’re going to be laying and praying.”

Yet the intensity was ramped up when Makhachev told Poirier “Don’t talk, okay,” to which ‘The Diamond’ sent a cold message to the champion: “Go to sleep mother****.”

This expletive-laced threat certainly didn’t sit well with the champ, who demanded that the fan-favorite contender not curse him out in such a way, “Don’t say that or I’ll slap you,” before Makhachev raised his hand towards Poirier’s face – appearing as though the Russian was indeed about to slap Poirier.

“Don’t ever put your hand in my face, bro,” warned Poirier, before security started to intervene by pulling both athletes away.

As the crowd reacted to the exchange, the remainder of the conversation is mostly inaudible, with Poirier later advising Makhachev “I have respect for you brother [but] man, don’t ruin the faceoff, come on we’re here to fight.”

Highlights from the UFC 302 pre-fight press conference

There were only four fighters on stage for the UFC 302 pre-fight press conference, with Makhachev and Poirier joined by Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa.

Makhachev was asked about how he believes the fight will end, with the champion instead noting that Dustin Poirier’s talk of retirement is taking away his focus from the actual fight itself.

“This is his last chance, this is maybe his last fight – this is not focused for the fight,” he said; to which ‘The Diamond’ responded: “I’m going to pry that belt out of your hands bro, Saturday night.”

Poirier had issues hearing many of the questions posed to him, with Makhachev taking the chance to poke fun at ‘The Diamond’ – “Dustin, why are you so nervous man? Relax and enjoy, let’s have fun.”

The veteran American ignored Makhachev and instead chose to tell the champ that he “should listen to his coaches and box with me,” as he attempts to goad the Dagestani wrestler into a striking matchup.

“This is not boxing, this is MMA” stated the champion, to which Poirier responded: “You’re going to go to sleep like it’s boxing.”

Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier will faceoff one more time at the ceremonial weigh-in, before the cage door is locked behind them on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 302.