UFC 291: Gaethje Knocks Out Poirier, Pereira Wins At Light Heavyweight
Justin Gaethje knocked out Dustin Poirier in the second round to avenge his 2018 defeat to claim the ‘BMF’ title.
In a bout that offered much from the Delta Center arena, Salt Lake City, the fight was over in the first couple of rounds. In the opening round, both fighters exchanged kicks as they targeted the legs.
Poirier started well, as he timed a few right hands to Gaethje’s face. Both fighters stood in the centre of the octagon, as Gaethje targeted Poirier’s body and followed up with a right hand.
However, Poirier continued to press the action as Gaethje suffered a cut above the left eye. But in the second round, it was all Gaethje.
He continued to land numerous hooks, but just as he was doing so, Gaethje attacked with a kick to the head. Since Poirier did not see it coming, the former fell to the canvas. Gaethje followed up and the fight was over.
OMG!!! @Justin_Gaethje with the Kick KO! #UFC291 pic.twitter.com/MsjRH2nGJq
— Gerald Harris (@GHurricane) July 30, 2023
Co-Main Event
In chief support, former middleweight champion Alex Pereira bounced back from his defeat to Israel Adesanya as he won a split decision over Jan Blachowicz.
Blachowicz aimed for takedowns early on, as he put Pereira to the ground, taking control in the first round. Pereira responded in the second with his jab and leg kicks only for both fighters to exchange.
The two felt the pace in a bout that was evenly matched. However, Pereira started to pull away. He increased his output and landed the crisper shots, as the judges ruled in favour of Pereira: 29-28, 28-29, 29-28.
Results
Justin Gaethje def. Dustin Poirier via a second-round KO
Alex Pereira def. Jan Blachowicz via a split decision: 29-28, 28-29, 29-28
Derrick Lewis def. Marcos Rogerio de Lima via a first-round TKO
Bobby Green def. Tony Ferguson via a technical submission (arm-triangle choke) round 3
Kevin Holland def. Michael Chiesa via a submission (D’arce choke) round 1
Gabriel Bonfim def. Trevin Giles via a submission (guillotine choke) round 1
CJ Vergara def. Vinicius Salvador via a unanimous decision: 29-28, 29-28, 29-28
Roman Kopylov def. Claudio Ribeiro via a second-round KO
Jake Matthews def. Darrius Flowers via a submission round 2
Uros Medic def. Matthew Semelsberger via a third-round TKO
Miranda Maverick def, Priscila Cachoeira via a submission (armbar) round 3