On a UFC 291 card which took place 4,330 feet above sea level, the event was as violent as expected. In the end, a new BMF Champion was crowned while there were nine finishes on an 11-fight card.
In a rematch, Justin Gaethje took out Dustin Poirier via knockout in the main event. Gaethje used his strikes and leg kicks to dominate the bout, and “The Highlight” added another to his reel at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
Gaethje is now at the top of the lightweight division again and wants to fight for gold. He reportedly awaits the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira 2 for the UFC lightweight title on October 21 at UFC 294.
JUSTIN GAETHJE KO's POIRIER BY HEAD KICK 😱
WE HAVE A NEW BMF #UFC291 pic.twitter.com/eUunAPoHnO
— UFC (@ufc) July 30, 2023The bout started similar to the last time they fought in 2018, with Gaethje using kicks to damage the legs of Poirier. He also used his unique boxing to break Poirier down.
At one point, Poirier did land solid leg strikes, but he couldn’t land a solid blow that would take Gaethje down. They did trade combinations, but Gaethje was landing the better of the two. While Gaethje got cut above his eye, it didn’t affect his stamina.
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Round two looked like it was going to be another violent one. However, Gaethje stopped Poirier in his tracks with a high leg kick that dropped him. It was similar to when Leon Edwards landed one on Kamaru Usman to win the UFC welterweight title, also in Utah. Referee Herb Dean slid as fast as he could stop the fight right when Gaethje landed one last shot for good measure.
After Poirier beat Gaethje years back, both went 6-2, and both bouts lost against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Oliveira. Now the series is tied 1-1, Gaethje is on a two-fight win streak, and Poirier is 2-2 in his last four.
Also on the card, former middleweight champion Alex Pereira edged former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz, Derrick Lewis got a quick knockout and undressed, Bobby Green put Tony Ferguson to sleep, and Kevin Holland took out Michael Chiesa.
The Sporting News provided results and highlights from UFC 291 throughout the night below.
UFC 291 results, highlights
Justin Gaethje drops Dustin Poirier, wins the BMF Title
Round two: The fans were cheering for both, as Gaethje landed combinations. Pressing forward, Gaethje landed a high leg kick, similar to what Leon Edwards did to Leon Edwards last time the UFC went in Utah. Madness. He is now the BMF Champion!
Round one: The energy in Utah is electric. Gaethje started right away with leg kicks, just like the last fight. He landed a sharp shot to the face of Poirier. Using his boxing towards his advantage, Gaethje's timing looked great. He continued to land, from combinations to leg kicks. Poirier landed a high kick to Gaethje, who ducked down. High kick by Gaethje. They traded combinations, but Poirier understood he wasn't connecting. By the cage, Gaethje got caught by Poirier. Poirier landed a sharp right as Gaethje countered with a leg kick. Cut above the eye, Gaethje did not stop his attack.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Gaethje
12:15 a.m. ET: The main event is next, and a doozy. Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2 for the BMF Title.
Alex Pereira edges Jan Blachowicz, looks to fight for gold
It was a close fight, and the referee's scored it 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 in favor of Pereira. He is looking to compete for light heavyweight gold following a win in his division debut.
12 a.m. ET: Round two saw Pereira use leg kicks to hurt Blachowicz, who ended up taking the Brazilian down. On the feet, Pereira used his power to land to the body. He later landed wide shots as Blachowicz looked winded. Using kicks to the body, Pereira was stalking Blachowicz. The exchanged shots to end the round. Blachowicz looked gassed as round three began while still landing kicks to Pereira's leg. Pereira with a jab, while Blachowicz attempted to shut him down with a leg hook. While Blachowicz took him down in the last minute, he didn't do much to put it away.
11:45 p.m. ET: Right away, Blachowicz pushed Pereira into the corner. However, Pereira recovered by locking in a guillotine, if only for a little while. Blachowicz later brought Pereira down to the floor and went on his back, looking for a rear-naked choke. The former controlled the fight on the floor throughout the first.
11:30 p.m. ET: Former champions collide as Jan Blachowicz faces Alex Pereira. They start just as Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford face off.
Derrick Lewis knocks out Marcos Rogerio de Lima in epic fashion
11:20 p.m. ET: Lewis took off his clothes after, classic Lewis.
11:15 p.m. ET: Derrick Lewis vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima in heavyweight action is next. It only took a few seconds for Lewis to beat Lima, as he dropped him right away, and landed shots to the floor. It was all over before it began.
AND HIS BALLS WAS HOT #UFC291 pic.twitter.com/uqz1Tqefxn
— UFC (@ufc) July 30, 2023Tony Ferguson loses six in a row, passes out against Bobby Green
10:55 p.m. ET: On the floor, Green, landed hammerfists. Now on full guard, Green continued his attack. He controlled the ground game for several minutes. A busted open Ferguson got back up and tried to go tit for tat with Green. He encouraged Ferguson to go for the attack. Round three saw Green land combinations while Ferguson would just rush into the attacks. Right by Ferguson clipped Green. Towards the end of the round, Green landed the submission, forcing Ferguson to to pass out.
BOBBY GREEN SUBMITS TONY FERGUSON! @BobbyKGreen gets the finish with seconds left at #UFC291! pic.twitter.com/HuRLRFYIRH
— UFC (@ufc) July 30, 202310:45 p.m. ET: The fans went wild for Ferguson. Green tried to strike him down via kicks, but Ferguson wasn't biting. Ferguson with a big right hand that put Green to the ground. Poke to the eye by Green halted the action. Through the first round, Ferguson was lunging. Round two saw Ferguson use his unique style to confuse Green. Forcing the fight to the ground, Ferguson tried to trap Green.
10:35 p.m. ET: It's Tony Ferguson time, as he faces Bobby Green. Will fight fans be crying in the club or will we see a masterful performance from Ferguson, who needs it?
Kevin Holland makes quick work of Michael Chiesa
10:20 p.m. ET: The first fight of the night is Michael Chiesa vs. Kevin Holland. Joe Rogan compared Holland's striking to Tommy Hearns. Holland pushed Chiesa into the corner and landed various strikes. While holding him, big knee by Holland connected and then he locked into the D'Arce Choke for the win.
KEVIN HOLLAND GETS THE D’ARCE IN ROUND 1 😤#UFC291 LIVE on ESPN+ PPV 🍿 pic.twitter.com/3lhxJy6ude
— ESPN (@espn) July 30, 202310 p.m. ET: The main card of UFC 291 is LIVE. The UFC opened the broadcast with another tribute to Sinead O'Connor.
9:45 p.m. ET: The final fight of the prelims: Gabriel Bonfim vs. Trevin Giles. Giles tripped early on but recovered quickly. Bonfim landed the guillotine submission after landing a body lock takedown.
SLICK SUBMISSION FROM BONFIM 😨#UFC291 is LIVE on ESPN+ PPV 🍿 pic.twitter.com/jIaAQnPaIH
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 30, 20239:30 p.m. ET: The fight pace slowed down a bit as contest went on. Vergara landed a leg kick that Salvador laughed off. A few right hands were also ignored, though they were efficient. After going the distance, Rivera won via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
9:10 p.m. ET: A catchweight bout featuring C.J. Vergara vs. Vinicius Salvador is up next. Vergara's eye got damaged following a poke through his defense. He was timid towards the end of round one following the poke. Round two saw Vergara act as the aggressor. Dancing around the cage, both tried to find an edge, with Vergara finally pushing Salvador back and landing more strikes.
9 p.m. ET: The UFC honored music artist Sinead O'Connor, who recently passed away. She performed Conor McGregor's entrance years ago to a great reaction.
8:45 p.m. ET: Up next: a middleweight fight featuring Roman Kopylov vs. Claudio Ribeiro. Kopylov had Ribeiro by the cage early on, stalking him. Ribeiro escaped and was able to press forward, going shot for shot with Kopylov. A leg kick by Kopylov was followed by strikes to the broken defense of Ribeiro. Both exchanged shots within range in a wild round one. Huge high leg kick by Kopylov knocked Ribeiro out cold in round two.
KOPYLOV’S NASTY HEADKICK DROPS RIBEIRO 😱#UFC291 LIVE on ABC and ESPN 🍿 pic.twitter.com/ZX8Gb4hUC3
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 30, 20238:25 p.m. ET: After a time out and upset fans, Matthews ended up earning the win via submission. He is now 2-1 in his last three bouts.
8 p.m. ET: The ABC/ESPN/ESPN+ prelims have started. The first fight on that card: Jake Matthews vs. Darrius Flowers. Flowers acted hurt before trying to land a vicious shot to Matthews and taking him down, a true highlight fight the fight. In round two, Flowers got hit right below the belt, and was actually hurt this time. Instant replay shows the top of the foot hit the gut.
7:30 p.m. ET: On the last fight of the early prelims, Uros Medic beat Matthew Semelsberger via TKO. It was a violent affair between the two, setting the tone for the night. After Semelsberger almost had it won, Medic stormed back and landed hard blows, earning the TKO win in the third.
7 p.m. ET: To open the night, Miranda Maverick defeated Priscila Cachoeira via submission.
Hello, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of UFC 291: Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2.
UFC 291 results
Main card
- Justin Gaethje def. Dustin Poirier via KO (1:00 into round two) for the BMF belt
- Alex Pereira def. Jan Blachowicz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Derrick Lewis def. Marcos Rogerio de Lima via TKO (0:33 into round one)
- Bobby Green def. Tony Ferguson via technical submission (4:54 into round three)
- Kevin Holland def. Michael Chiesa via D'Arce Choke (2:39 into round one)
Prelims
- Gabriel Bonfim def. Trevin Giles via guillotine submission (1:13 into round one)
- C.J. Vergara def. Vinicius Salvador via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Roman Kopylov def. Claudio Ribeiro via knockout (0:33 into round two)
- Jake Matthews def. Darrius Flowers via rear-naked choke (2:37 into round two)
Early prelims
- Uros Medic def. Matthew Semelsberger via TKO (2:36 into round three)
- Miranda Maverick def. Priscila Cachoeira via armbar submission (2:11 into round three)
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