Dustin Poirier is on the back-nine of his splendid UFC career. In fact, he may be headed to the clubhouse very soon.

The 35-year-old will be the challenger for Islam Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Championship on June 1 at UFC 302 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

It is Poirier’s third time fighting for an undisputed title. He lost each of the previous two.

Poirier lost to Charles Oliveira at UFC 269 by submission on Dec. 11, 2021 in Las Vegas, just over two years after Khabib Nurmagomedov won UFC 242 in the same fashion.

The Lafayette, Louisiana, native knows that this is his final chance to finally win a belt.

“I know this is my shot, I won’t get another one,” Porier said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.

At the time, Porier said he would “probably retire right there” if he won a potential championship fight against Makhachev. He was unsure what would happen with a loss, and he still is.

“I want to retire from the sport – I don’t want the sport to retire me,” Poirier said to us at the time.

However, this will be his 40th professional fight, and he admits it “could be” his final fight, win or lose.

“I gotta see how I feel in there,” he says.

Well, so far, with about three weeks until fight night, he says he’s “right where I need to be.”

Dustin Poirier reacts after his victory against Benoit Saint Denis of France in a lightweight fight during the UFC 299 event at Kaseya Center on March 9, 2024 in Miami. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

UFC STAR DERRICK LEWIS MOONS CROWD, THROWS CUP AT MEDIA AFTER KNOCKOUT WIN

“We’re kind of just getting over the hump of the crazy, crazy hard work and the dangerous stuff. Now it starts to get more smoother, start focusing on weight, making sure I’m feeling good leading into fight week, firing on all cylinders, a lot of reps, a lot of technique training,” Poirier said.

The fight comes as Poirier is in the midst of a partnership with Bud Light – Poirier says it’s been roughly six weeks since he’s last had one, as he gears up for fight week, but he plans to make up for lost time in the early hours of June 2.

“Being partnered with a brand that’s in the center of the Octagon, a brand that we’ve linked to sports and America for so long, it’s just great to be on a roster with these guys,” Poirier said. “I’m a young kid from Lafayette, Louisiana chasing dreams, and I’m on the same athlete list as Peyton Manning sponsored by Bud Light. It’s crazy. But the partnership started off great. The week I got back from Miami in 299, they rolled up to my house in this huge Bud Light truck with speakers, the whole bed of the truck is an ice chest. Crazy.”

Poirier was an underdog in his fight at UFC 299 against Benoit Saint-Denis, but he came away with a huge victory. It very likely extended his career, as he had lost two of his previous three bouts.

That provided a bit of a confidence boost, but it does not sound like Poirier needed much of one.

“I’m grateful, man. I try to stay in that mindset regardless of what fight’s coming up and stuff like that. Growing up, my mindset’s changed over the years. I wake up with gratitude every day, but having this big fight on the horizon, it adds more fuel to the fire. I wake up motivated. I’ve been fighting for a long time.”

“I’m 35 years old, this is my third UFC undisputed world title shot. Like I said, man, gratitude. I’m just thankful to be in the position I’m in and to grind it out and persevere all these years to climb my way back up over and over again through these young killers in this young division. To make it to the top of the mountain and have a chance to raise my hands in the air and be the undisputed world champion, the best in the world, that’s all I’m focused on, man, just being my best at night.”

Dustin Poirier reacts after his victory against Benoit Saint Denis of France in a lightweight fight during the UFC 299 event at Kaseya Center on March 9, 2024 in Miami. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

He added, “I know I can beat anybody in the world. I know this guy I’m facing is pound-for-pound the number one guy. He’s on a tear, tough stylistic matchup for me… But I think my whole career has prepared me for this night. Everything happened the way it’s supposed to happen for me to get in there and fight for the world title June 1.” 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

BOYS HOCKEY

DREAM TEAM
Aiden Emerick (Winchester)

Jake Jarrell (Pope Francis)

Cam McGettrick (Marshfield)
Ben Paterson (Franklin)

Brady Plaza (St. John’s Prep)

Jake Vana (St. John’s Prep)

ALL-SCHOLASTICS
Logan Brennan (Hingham)
Christopher Cardillo (Sandwich)
Matt Carrara (Boston Latin)

Tommy Carroll (Marshfield)
Jay Carter (Concord-Carlisle)
Patrick Clair (Arlington Catholic)
Danny Collins (Winchester)
Matthew Cooke (Tewksbury)
Michael Corbett (Catholic Memorial)
Chase Darcey (Shawsheen)
Paul Dzavik (Hingham)
Cam Fahey (Reading)
Jack Fitzpatrick (Xaverian)
Luke Gerardi (St. John’s Shrewsbury)
Andrew Goldstein (Dover-Sherborn/Weston)
Chris Hanifan (Reading)
Michael Hussey (Duxbury)
Jeremy Insogna (Tewksbury)
Evan Jones (Arlington)
Finn Kelly (Archbishop Williams)
Anthony Lampasona (Franklin)
JP Messuri (Arlington)
Logan Poulin (Nauset)
Cole Pouliot-Porter (Xaverian)
Kyle Ready (Pembroke)
Christian Rosa (St. John’s Prep)
Hogan Sedky (Marblehead)
Brody Sharpe (Wellesley)
Petey Silverman (Winthrop)
James Sullivan (Scituate)
Brendan Tourgee (Canton)
HONORABLE MENTION
Bobby Banks (Boston Latin)
Leo Burdge (Marblehead)
Jack Connolly (Sandwich)

Evan Cormier (Waltham)
Ryan Davis (Nantucket)
Jack Doherty (St. John’s Prep)
Nick D’Olympio (Catholic Memorial)
Tyler Frazee (Westford Academy)
Andrew Gillis (Norwood)
Colby Jewell (Gloucester)
Damien Lamb (Newburyport)
Will Manchuso (Concord-Carlisle)
Jack McEleney (Woburn)
Ben Merrill (Masconomet)
Jacob Minsk (Stoneham)
Anthony Nuzzolilo (Shrewsbury)
Thomas Perkins (Hanover)
Nolan Petrucelli (Norwell)
Luke Tropeano (Whitman-Hanson)
Brady Walsh (Duxbury)
Danny Viscione (Billerica)

ALL-SCHOLASTICS

DREAM TEAM

AIDEN EMERICK

WINCHESTER

The junior led Winchester on a Cinderella Run to the Div. 1 final. The goaltender finished 14-6-1, with a goals against average of 2.00 and a save percentage of 0.930. He racked up 177 saves during an astounding five-game playoff run.

JAKE JARRELL

POPE FRANCIS

The winner of the Amo Bessone Award, which goes to the top hockey player in Western Massachusetts, Jarrell was also his team’s Most Valuable Player. He netted 15 goals to go along with 19 assists, leading the Cardinals to the Div. 1 Sweet 16. The defenseman and former Eddie Shore Award winner is planning on attending Salisbury School for a postgrad year, before hopefully playing at the Div. 1 collegiate level.

CAM MCGETTRICK

MARSHFIELD

The senior finished with 34 points in 22 games, helping lead Marshfield to the Div. 1 Elite 8. The right winger ended his career with 101 points, A lacrosse star will continue his career in the sport at Mass. Maritime Academy.

BEN PATERSON

FRANKLIN

The Hockomock League’s Most Valuable Player finished with 56 points his senior year, leading the Panthers to the Div. 1 Elite 8. He scored twice in the MSHCA All-Star Game for the South All-Stars. Paterson will next play at Deerfield Academy.

BRADY PLAZA

ST. JOHN’S PREP

The top-scoring defenseman in Div. 1 carried St. John’s Prep to its latest state championship, registering an assist on the game-winning goal. The senior boasts a 4.09 GPA and is a member of two AP classes. Plaza is undecided on his next move, but hopes to either do a postgrad year at a Prep School, or enter the Junior Hockey ranks.

JAKE VANA

ST. JOHN’S PREP

Vana finished as St. John’s Prep leading point-getter this winter, netting 18 goals and 18 assists to finish with 36 overall. He finished with 96 points in a decorated career and is a two-time Div. 1 state champion. He is a member of both the National Honor Society and the German National Honor Society. The three-sport star will attend Princeton University to play lacrosse.

ALL-SCHOLASTICS

LOGAN BRENNAN

HINGHAM

After finishing with 19 points in 23 games (four goals, 19 assists), Brennan was selected to play in the season-ending Sophomore/Junior All-Star Game. He was also chosen to be a team captain for the 2024-25 season. Brennan is an honor roll student.

CHRISTOPHER CARDILLO

SANDWICH

Cardillo erupted for a 64-point season (37 goals, 27 assists), leading Sandwich to the Div. 4 Elite 8. He was selected as the South Shore League’s MVP, and named the Most Valuable Player at both the Canal and Jim Gormley Cups. A member of multiple club hockey programs, Cardillo is aiming at majoring in business in college.

MATT CARRARA

BOSTON LATIN

Carrara was instrumental in Boston Latin capturing its first Div. 2 state crown since 2005. The MSHCA All-Star had 37 points (21 goals, 16 assists). He is undecided on his college plans, but plans to major in engineering.

TOMMY CARROLL

MARSHFIELD

Carroll had 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) on a run to the Div. 1 Elite 8. He was Patriot League Most Valuable Player and named to the MSHCA All-Star Game. The senior is a member of Marshfield’s lacrosse team, and has played for the Boston Junior Terriers, the Cape Cod Whalers and the South Shore Kings. Carroll has a 3.7 GPA.

JAY CARTER

CONCORD-CARLISLE

Carter was MVP of the MVC/DCL (Div. 2). He recorded the second-highest number of points scored in a season at Concord-Carlisle, sniping 27 goals to go with 39 assists. The senior participates with the Assabet Valley Patriots Elite hockey club, and enjoys golfing. He is set to head to Elon University next.

PATRICK CLAIR

ARLINGTON CATHOLIC

The junior goalie registered a save percentage of 93% and was named the Catholic Central League’s Most Valuable Player and a league All-Star for a second time after making the Div. 1 Final Four. Clair also plays baseball and golf at the school.

PATRICK COLLINS

WINCHESTER

The senior center had 17 goals and 20 assists. Collins works with the Winchester Boat Club, where he teaches young hobbyists how to skate at Jaqui Power and Edge. He also helped promote his school’s apparel on its social media accounts. The senior is to continue his hockey career at Phillips Andover.

MATTHEW COOKE

TEWKSBURY

The senior had 26 goals and 35 assists, earning First Team All-Conference honors en route to a MVC/DCL (Div. 2) title. The National Honor Society member is on the Presidents List. Cooke has been a two-time All-Star in golf and baseball.

MICHAEL CORBETT

CATHOLIC MEMORIAL

A Catholic Conference All-Star defenseman and team captain closed his campaign with 10 goals and 17 assists, guiding the Knights back to the Elite 8. Off the ice, the senior works with the school’s Peer Ministry, and enjoys hanging with friends. He will be attending Wentworth.

CHASE DARCEY

SHAWSHEEN

Darcey had 31 goals and 22 assists on his way to being the MVP of the Commonwealth Athletic Conference for a second time. He was also selected to play in the MSHCA’s All-Star Game, as well as the annual ‘Border Battle’ between Connecticut and Massachusetts. The golf and lacrosse star is undecided on his future plans.

PAUL DVAZIK

HINGHAM

The senior right wing scored 18 goals and added 10 assists for 28 points in 25 games. A veteran of 74 varsity games, Dzavik ended his career with 21 goals and 19 assists for 40 points. In the offseason, Dzavik is a trainer at Boxygen Fitness and loves working out.

CAM FAHEY

READING

Fahey netted 22 goals and 23 assists and was a Middlesex League All-Star for the second time. The senior is a member of his school’s golf and soccer teams, and enjoys fishing, golfing and working out. Fahey is a member of the student counsel at Reading and is on the Honor Roll.

JACK FITZPATRICK

XAVERIAN

The sophomore led the Hawks in points, and was named a Catholic Conference All-Star. The rising star is also a member of the school’s lacrosse team and has an impressive 3.76 GPA.

LUKE GERARDI

ST. JOHN’S (SHREWSBURY)

Gerardi had 20 goals and 20 assists and is a two-time Catholic Conference All-Star. Chosen for the MSHCA’s All-Star Game, he scored a pair of goalst. Gerardi will do a post-graduate year at New Hampton.

ANDREW GOLDSTEIN

DOVER-SHERBORN/WESTON

The senior led a run to the Div. 4 state title. The MVP of the Tri-Valley League (Small Division) finished with a GAA of 1.48, and a save percentage of .944. The National Honor Society member will attend the University of Georgia and study Business while playing hockey for the UGA Ice Dawgs Hockey Club.

CHRIS HANIFAN

READING

Hanifan played a key role in Reading advancing to the Sweet 16 in Div. 1. He finished with 17 wins and a goals against average of 1.28 to go along with seven shutouts. The Boston Bruins MIAA Sportsmanship Award winner for the Middlesex League, Hanifan carries a 3.20 GPA.

MICHAEL HUSSEY

DUXBURY

Patriot League All-Star Hussey was one of the top defenseman in the loop, recording four goals and 20 assists as team MVP. He closed out his high school career with 66 points. Hussey is a winner of the US Summa History Award and will attend UMass.

JEREMY INSOGNA

TEWKSBURY

Thanks to a 64-point campaign (37 goals, 27 assists), Tewksbury advanced to the Div. 2 state championship game. He was named an MVC/DCL (Div. 2) First Team Conference All-Star and ended his career with 116 points. A recipient of the John and Abigail Adams scholarship, the senior also is a golf star, finishing as a Second Team All-Star in that sport.

EVAN JONES

ARLINGTON

The sophomore had 18 goals and 24 assists, giving him career totals of 23-39-62. Off the ice, Jones enjoys participating in pickleball, and is an Honor Roll student. He also skates with the Boston Junior Eagles club team in the offseason.

FINN KELLY

ARCHBISHOP WILLIAMS

Archbishop Williams made a run to the Final Four in Div. 1 behind Kelly’s 44 total points (27 goals, 17 assists), and keyed a tournament victory in the Buddy Ferreira Classic. Kelly participates with the Boston Junior Terriers whenever he has the opportunity.

ANTHONY LAMPASONA

FRANKLIN

A two-time all-Hockomock League performer, the senior left winger scored 16 goals to go with 18 assists. Lampasona is in 11 honors classes and is a three-time Honor Roll student. Lampasona will keep his hockey career going. He is bound for Tilton for a postgrad year.

JP MESSURI

ARLINGTON

Messuri burst onto the scene in his freshman season with Arlington, becoming the first freshman to lead the program in scoring. The center closed the year with 43 points (15 goals, 28 assists). Messuri is a member of the Cape Cod Whalers club hockey team, and plays street hockey with the KUA/PONDERS.

LOGAN POULIN

NAUSET

The MVP of the Cape and Islands League, the senior center shouldered Nauset during a run to the Div. 3 boys hockey final. He registered 25 goals and 20 assists, finishing with 98 career points. He is headed to the University of Vermont, where he will play lacrosse.

COLE POULIOT-PORTER

XAVERIAN

One of the top goaltenders in the Commonwealth finished with a save percentage of 92.9%, and a goals against average of 1.95. Pouliot-Porter plays for the Buffalo Regals U18AAA team in the offseason, and is looking at doing a postgrad year, followed by a Junior Hockey stint.

KYLE READY

PEMBROKE

The junior goaltender finished 13-6-1 with seven shutouts and was the Patriot League’s (Fisher Division) Most Valuable Player. A member of the National Honor Society with a 3.8 GPA, Ready competes with the Bay State Breakers and Mass Crease Goalie Training.

CHRISTIAN ROSA

ST. JOHN’S PREP

The Catholic Conference’s Most Valuable Player racked up 16 goals and 18 assists his senior season in helping the Eagles win the Div. 1 state title. A two-time CC All-Star, Rosa was selected to play in the MSHCA All-Star Game. He is a member of both the Spanish and National Honor Society.

HOGAN SEDKY

MARBLEHEAD

Sedky was the leading defensive scorer in the Northeastern Conference, finishing with 10 goals and 25 assists. He was named to the All-Conference team, as the Magicians went on to capture the Div. 3 boys hockey title with a 1-0 win over Nauset. The senior has a 4.503 GPA, and is on the High Honor Roll. A three-time recipient of the Le Grand Concours Certificate of Honor and a Bowdoin College Book Award winner, Sedky is bound for Boston College, where he will study at the Carroll School of Management.

BRODY SHARPE

WELLESLEY

Sharpe was the Bay State Carey MVP after scoring 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points. The junior was the recipient of the World History School Schoolwide Award and carried a 4.46 GPA. Sharpe plays lacrosse and also competes with the South Shore Kings U18 club team.

PETER SILVERMAN

WINTHROP

The Northeastern Conference’s Most Valuable Player racked up 34 goals and 35 assists in leading the Vikings to the Div. 4 Final Four. The senior is a four-time Honor Roll student, and plays for the Vikings’ baseball and golf teams. He is headed for the Tilton School next fall.

JAMES SULLIVAN

SCITUATE

The senior right winger had 22 goals and 28 assists for 50 points, surpassing the 150-point mark for his career. A member of the lacrosse team, Sullivan will attend Mass. Maritime in the fall.

BRENDAN TOURGEE

CANTON

The senior forward tallied 16 goals and added 17 assists for 33 points, leading the team in goals and points. A Hockomock League All-Star for the third time, Tourgee potted the game-winning goal in double overtime against Hingham in the Ed Burns Tournament. A member of the 2023 Div. 2 state championship squad, Tourgee ended his career with 40 goals and 53 assists. A member of the National Honor Society, Tourgee carries a 4.2 GPA.

LEAGUE ALL-STARS

BAY STATE CONFERENCE

Jake Joyce, Matt Harvey, Andrew Gaffney (Braintree); Grady Ames (Brookline); Noah Albright (Framingham); Sam Hubbard (Natick); Jimmy Kenney, Sean Reilly (Needham); Gavin Doucette (Newton North); Ryan Walsh (Walpole); Patrick Maxwell, Nils Tellander, Brody Sharpe (Wellesley); Jack Brady, Johnny Bell, Grady Salfity (Weymouth)

MVP: Jimmy Kenney, Brody Sharpe

BOSTON CITY LEAGUE

Coleman Donovan, Evan Chan, Barra Ryan (Latin Academy); Ryan Thomas, Chase Whiteknact (East Boston)

CAPE AND ISLANDS

ATLANTIC: Chase Field, Chase Semprini (Barnstable); Chris Shanahan, Eddie Leary, Chase Briggs, Gavin Powderly (Falmouth); Liam Conley, Nate Averill, Hunter Johnson (Martha’s Vineyard); Logan Poulin, Colin Ward, Jake Eldridge, Zach Coehlo, Joe McManus, Cam Connery (Nauset)

MVP: Logan Poulin

LIGHTHOUSE: Andrew Popovich (Dennis-Yarmouth); Max Cronen, Casey Huse, Gavin O’Leary, Luke Raftery, Dom Silvester (Monomoy); Michael Culkins, Braden Knapp, Ryan Davis, Colby O’Keefe, Griffin Starr, Hunter Strojny (Nantucket); Bobby Lawson, Kelin MacAlesse, Brady Meyer, Liam Monaghan (St. John Paul)

MVP: Ryan Davis

CAPE ANN LEAGUE

BAKER: Bodie Marcotte, Matt Venturi, Joey Duggan, Lincoln Kime (Amesbury); Charlie Cooper, Christian Lava, Max Forristall (North Reading); Nick Nocella, Evan Haughey (Rockport); Nick Kutcher, Chase Pelletier (Georgetown)

MVP: Bodie Marcotte
KINNEY: Damien Lamb, Jackson DeVivo, Tristan Joyce, Kane Brennan, Jack Sullivan (Newburyport); Armani Booth, Garrett White, Brady Leonard (Essex Tech); Jarett Scoppetuollo, Owen Considine, Will Norton (Lynnfield); Jack Lindholm, Josh Hersey, Gavin Marengi (Triton)

MVP: Damien Lamb

CATHOLIC CENTRAL LEAGUE

Matt DeMinico, Casey Kelley, Ben Sylvester, Justin Watson, Finn Kelly (Archbishop Williams); Patrick Clair, Nico Tashjian, Stephen Constantine (Arlington Catholic); Marc Hilton, Cam McGonagle, Matthew Smith (St. Mary’s); Ayden Casassa, Easton Theberge (Bishop Feehan); Parker Pierre, Anthony Sasso (Bishop Fenwick); Kyle Cousineau (Bishop Stang)
MVP: Finn Kelly

CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

Tommy Halloran, Drew Karlovits, Liam Kinneen, Brendan McCarthy (BC High); Michael Corbett, Nick D’Olympio, Connor Fryberger, Adam Parker (Catholic Memorial); Michael McLaughlin (Malden Catholic); Jack Doherty, Brady Plaza, Christian Rosa, Johnny Tighe, Jake Vana (St. John’s Prep); Luke Gerardi, Daniel Menyalkin (St. John’s Shrewsbury); Jack Fitzpatrick, Devin Gosciak, Jack O’Neil, Nate Patch, Cole Pouliot-Porter (Xaverian)

MVP: Christian Rosa

COMMONWEALTH ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Chase Darcey, Kyle Gray, Liam Milne, Mike Cedrone, Larry Cullity, Justin Thibert, Jake Banda (Shawsheen); Danny Parent, James Kierce, Brendan Giblin, Jake Cabral, Gage Richard, Matt Cabral (Lowell Catholic); AJ Theriault, Kyle Bouvier (Greater Lowell); Jayden Auger, Jack Donovan, Declan Farrell (Nashoba Tech); Cam Correia, Joe Hurley, Mario Armata, Jaiden Silva (Northeast); Shane Carta, Branden Carta, Tamoghna Kommaraju (Minuteman)
MVP: Chase Darcey

GREATER BOSTON LEAGUE
Chris Cassesso, Robert Larkin, Matthew DeAngelis (Somerville); Vincent Castro, Tyler Taddia, DJ McDonough, Anthony Madarese Jr. (Medford); Jacky Summers, Jake Simpson (Everett/Malden/Revere/Mystic Valley); Jayden Leblanc (Lynn)
MVP: Vincent Castro

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE

Ben Paterson, Logan Marchand, Anthony Lampasona, Dylan McEvoy (Franklin); Kyle Gruber, Kaden Burns (North Attleboro); Thomas Gormley, BrendanVokey (Mansfield); Trever Marder (Foxboro); Conner Goranson (Taunton); Dane Holske (Attleboro); Matthew Lawson, Andrew Livingstone, Shaun Teehan (Oliver Ames); Rowan Boulger, Grady Bianculli, Nate Garstka (King Philip); Brendan Tourgee, Brian Middleton, Matthew Anderson, Colin Blake (Canton)

MVP: Ben Paterson

MAYFLOWER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Jacob Almeida, Bryce Medeiros, Jared Martins (Diman); Kacey Brown, Nicolas Sturdevant, Cam Wilbur (Southeastern/Bristol-Plymouth); Lukas Sobszak, Colby Scarsciotti (Tri-County); Michael Repucci (Blue Hills); Brenden McCombe (South Shore); Charlie Caroll (Upper Cape)
MVP: Jacob Almeida

MERRIMACK VALLEY CONFERENCE/DUAL COUNTY LEAGUE

DIV. 1 ALL-CONFERENCE: Tyler Frazee, Nick Burns (Westford); Vinnie D’Urso (Andover); Danny Viscione, Nolan Dawson (Billerica); Matt Mahoney (Lincoln-Sudbury); Adam Godfrey (Central Catholic); Anthony Nuzzolilo (Shrewsbury)
DIV. 1 ALL-STARS: Marcel Joe, Anthony Deluca (Andover); Timmy Murphy, James Columbus, Ryan Johnson (Billerica); Brady Rickenbach, Keegan Hunt, Jake McLean (Central Catholic); Mark Bierwirth (Chelmsford); Johnny Aliferis (Lincoln-Sudbury); Christian Thoren, Drew Peris (Shrewsbury); J.J. Funaro, Ryan Nelken, Tom Rose (Westford Academy)

MVP: Anthony Nuzzolilo
DIV. 2 ALL-CONFERENCE: Jeremy Insogna, Matt Cooke (Tewksbury); Will Manchuso, Jay Carter (Concord-Carlisle); Matt Carrara (Boston Latin); Evan Cormier (Waltham); Troy Takesian (North Andover)

DIV. 2 ALL-STARS: Jack Roche, Billy Dapkas (Acton-Boxboro); Aidan Fitzpatrick, Adam Whitney (Boston Latin); Ben Ohanian, Joe Grasso (Concord-Carlisle); Sam Rudenko, Tim Kasyanov (Newton South); Brady Tremblay, Dylan Fitzpatrick (North Andover); Cooper Robillard, Tyler Barnes, Anthony DiFranco (Tewksbury); Conor Chiasson (Waltham)

MVP: Jay Carter

DIV. 3 ALL-CONFERENCE: Jake Costa (Haverhill); Owen O’Brien, Quinn Ronan (Methuen); Mike Desmarais, Drew Duross (Dracut); Ned Akashian (Lowell), Charlie Demeo (Bedford)
DIV. 3 ALL-STARS: Noah Kneeland, Dominic Romano, Patrick Morris (Methuen); Ryan McGrath, James Naylor, Alex Frost (Bedford); Colin Underwood, Matt Lesniak (Dracut); Jack Baker, Nick Terilli (Haverhill); Shane Peters (Lowell); Wylie Welch (Cambridge)
MVP: Charlie Demeo

MIDDLESEX LEAGUE

LIBERTY: Ryan Martin, Evan Jones, JP Messuri, Nolan Russell (Arlington); Chris Hanifan, Cam Fahey, TJ Michel (Reading); Danny Collins, David Strong (Winchester); Jack McEleny, Jack Lee (Woburn); Adam Bauer (Belmont)

MVP: Ryan Martin, Chris Hanifan

FREEDOM: Seumas McMakin Camden Shanahan, Charlie Andriolo, James Gordon (Burlington); James Erickson, Alec Banosian, Shane Desmond (Watertown); Joe Covelluzzi, Frank Leone (Wakefield); Jacob Minsk, Jack Sullivan (Stoneham); Bobby Cyr (Wilmington)

MVP: Seamus McMakin

NORTHEASTERN CONFERENCE

ALL-CONFERENCE: Colby Jewell, Brett Cunningham (Gloucester); Ben Merrill (Masconomet); Billy Hayes, Petey Silverman, Mike Donahue (Winthrop); Ty Langlais (Danvers); Hogan Sedky (Marblehead)

ALL STARS: Phil Boncore, Mike Holgersen, Colin O’Leary (Winthrop); Quinn Hitchcock, Will Roddy, Dom Pappalardo (Swampscott); Mike Delisio, Josh Henry (Danvers); Kyle Hart, Leo Burdge (Marblehead); Joseph Orlando, Nick Tarantino (Gloucester); Brandon Berone, Dominic Chianca (Peabody); Anthony Cerbone (Masconomet); Ethan Haight (Beverly)

MVP: Petey Silverman

PATRIOT LEAGUE

FISHER: Tom Perkins, Cam Melone (Hanover); Michael Silverman, Brian Buckley, Cam Leiman (North Quincy); Kyle Ready, Brandon Perry, Colin Blake (Pembroke); Logan Souza, Sean McNamara (Plymouth South); Nate Hall (Quincy); James Sullivan, Dylan Richman, Johnny Donahue, Luke Ryan, Nate Sannella (Scituate)

MVP: Kyle Ready

KEENAN: Michael Hussey, Will Atallah, David Pittenger, Brady Walsh (Duxbury); Cam McGettrick, Teddy Devoe, Jack Doherty, Michael Bekerian, Kevin Murphy (Marshfield); Caden Bono, Sean Hallissey (Plymouth North); Patrick Murphy (Silver Lake); Zach Boss, Luke Tropeano (Whitman-Hanson)

MVP: Tommy Carroll

SOUTH SHORE LEAGUE

Dylan McCabe, Jack Connolly, Shane Corcoran, Avery Richardson, Harrison Delman, Chris Cardillo (Sandwich); Aedan Coyle, Quinn Simmons, Nolan Petrucelli, Matt Ceruti, Joe Perniola (Norwell); Sam Steinman, Wyatt Goyette, James Joyce, Greg Mason (Middleboro); Hunter Grafton, Evan St Martin, Nicholas Harris (Abington); Robbie Casagrande, Luke Dunham, Shane Mulcahy, Finn Carragher (Cohasset-Hull); Patrick McGuirk, Cooper Larouco (Rockland); Christian Bates (East Bridgewater/West Bridgewater)

MVP: Chris Cardillo

TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE

Brayden McKenna, Sam Hinckley, Andrew Goldstein (Dover-Sherborn/Weston); George Gabriel (Holliston); James Hayward, Connor Merkle, Steven Jackson (Hopkinton); Ben Lusby (Medfield); Henry Eaton (Medway); Josh Cohen, Connor Heagny (Norton); Andrew Gillis, Samuel Lally, Ed Carroll (Norwood); Jake Quinn, Brady Dumais, Jack Holland (Westwood)

MVP: Andrew Goldstein, Andrew Gillis

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Mayor Ed Gainey is predicting a million people will attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

He spoke one-on-one with KDKA-TV hours after being joined by Governor Josh Shapiro and Steelers owner Art Rooney at an Acrisure Stadium press conference.

Speaking directly with KDKA, we asked the mayor about the impact the draft will have on the city, what he’s learned from past drafts.

“Today is a great day,” Gainey said. “It’s extremely exciting. I think it’s great for the city.”

Bringing the draft to Pittsburgh has been Gainey’s dream for some time. He’s made it a priority, he said, sharing he brought the idea to Art Rooney during their first meeting after Gainey took office. Gainey said the Steelers have six Super Bowl Titles, and are due to host a draft.

Gainey has watched the growth of the draft from an event inside of Radio City Music Hall to the massive outdoor event that travels to a new city each year.

“I think it explains the phenomenon of football in this nation and in this city, we are a football city we are a football county, we are a football region,” Gainey said.

It’s part of the reason he is predicting the 2026 Draft will be the biggest-ever. He thinks it could be especially popular for Pittsburgh natives who have moved away.

“This will give people the opportunity to come back and see the new Pittsburgh, see the new city, see how we are doing things nowadays,” Gainey said.

He thinks they’ll be impressed.

Also helping attendance reach those new heights is the proximity of Pittsburgh to other NFL cities, he said. 

Asked by KDKA what he learned from his trip to the NFL Draft in Detroit, Gainey said collaboration with public safety services is critical. 

That goes along with making people can move around without human gridlock.

“I think going there and and listening to them having it in downtown and the impact it had for businesses inside the city was critical for me to hear and know,” Gainey said.

We asked Gainey about if the city made any commitments to the NFL to land the draft.

He responded saying everyone involved has been able to talk about the services they would deliver. 

When pressed for specific, Gainey said it’s something that could be discussed later.

The NFL did not require any tax breaks or incentives for the draft, Gainey told KDKA.

Gainey said the NFL is working out any logistical commitments they’d be making with the city.

Governor Shapiro said at the press conference earlier in the day that Pittsburgh would have the state’s support.

“The commonwealth will make the investment,” Shapiro said. “We’re prepared to make this an awesome experience for everybody.

The 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit brought 775,000 people to the city over the course of 3 days. Gainey said Pittsburgh can hit a million.

Visit Pittsburgh told KDKA last year that Allegheny County has 18,000 hotel rooms. 

When we told the mayor about that figure, and asked if the city has the space for the million people he predicts will attend the draft, Gainey said he believes we do.

When pressed to learn where, Gainey said he doesn’t know if the 18,000 number includes Airbnbs. In addition he said he does not know if it includes the instances where people stay with family members.

He said counties around Pittsburgh, like Westmoreland, Washington, and Butler counties will all benefit as a lot of people will stay in hotels outside Allegheny County. 

“As long as they are close they will stay at those hotels,” Gainey said.  

During the early afternoon press conference, Visit Pittsburgh CEO Jerad Bachar said the NFL has spent a considerable amount of time in Pittsburgh figuring out logistics.

“They’re satisfied with everything that we have on offer, including the number of hotel rooms,” Bachar said.

Gainey said there is a lot of work ahead, but it will all be worth it.

“It’s all city, it’s all football, it’s all team. Let’s go get it,” Gainey said. 

We also asked the mayor about the specific location of the draft stage and how Point State Park would be used. 

He said the NFL hasn’t finalized those details yet so they don’t have anything they can share.