UFC 291 Results & Highlights: Justin Gaethje Knocks Out Dustin Poirier
The UFC made its way back to Utah for another major pay-per-view event when UFC 291 took place on Saturday, July 29 at The Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
UFC 291 Predictions: Can Gaethje Make Strong Statement Against Poirier?
The night’s main event saw Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje meet five years after they put on a Fight of the Night performance in their first encounter. Gaethje was stopped in the fourth round of their first meeting, but at UFC 291 he floored Poirier with a head kick in the second round and claimed the promotion's vacant BMF title.
The night’s co-main event also had some major title implications, with former champions Jan Błachowicz and Alex Pereira squaring off in a light heavyweight bout. Pereira was making his debut in the weight class after previously competing at middleweight, and after winning a split decision over Błachowicz he may be in line for a chance at the recently vacated light heavyweight belt.
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The rest of the main card also included Derrick Lewis snapping a three-fight losing streak with a tremendous first-round TKO against Marcos Rogério de Lima, while Kevin Holland and Bobby Green each scored submission victories in their respective bouts with Michael Chiesa and Tony Ferguson.
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You can find highlights from the event below, as well as the full results for every fight.
Miranda Maverick def. Priscila Cachoeira
Uroš Medić def. Matthew Semelsberger
Jake Matthews def. Darrius Flowers
Roman Kopylov def. Claudio Ribeiro
Gabriel Bonfim def. Trevin Giles
Kevin Holland def. Michael Chiesa
Bobby Green def. Tony Ferguson
Derrick Lewis def. Marcos Rogério de Lima
Justin Gaethje def. Dustin Poirier
Main Card (ESPN+ PPV, 10 p.m. ET)
• Main Event: Justin Gaethje def. Dustin Poirier via KO: R2, 1:00 – For the Vacant UFC “BMF” Championship
• Co-Main Event: Alex Pereira def. Jan Błachowicz via Split Decision (29-28x2, 28-29)
• Derrick Lewis def. Marcos Rogério de Lima via TKO: R1, 0:33
• Bobby Green def. Tony Ferguson via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke): R3, 4:54
• Kevin Holland def. Michael Chiesa via Submission (D'Arce Choke): R1, 2:39
Prelims (ABC ESPN/ESPN+, 8:00 p.m. ET)
• Gabriel Bonfim def. Trevin Giles via Submission (Guillotine Choke): R1, 1:13
• CJ Vergara def. Vinicius Salvador via Unanimous Decision (29-28x3)
• Roman Kopylov def. Claudio Ribeiro via KO: R2, 0:33
• Jake Matthews def. Darrius Flowers via Submission (Rear Naked Choke): R2, 2:37
Early Prelims (ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass, 7:00 p.m. ET)
• Uroš Medić def. Matthew Semelsberger via TKO: R3, 2:36
• Miranda Maverick def. Priscila Cachoeira via Submission (Armbar): R3, 2:11
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