UFC president Dana White has never lacked bravery. His company will put on their UFC 291 pay-per-view head-to-head with boxing’s biggest fight of the year, Terence Crawford vs Errol Spence Jr.
White’s crew are coming in hot for this combat sports face-off, with an electric lightweight main event between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. Dustin ‘The Diamond’ is best known for his two victories over Conor McGregor while Gaethje boasts a UFC Interim Lightweight Championship reign.
The pair met previously in 2018, with Poirier taking the victory via fourth-round TKO. That bout won Fight of the Night honours and Gaethje comes in looking to avenge his defeat. The ceremonial ‘BMF’ title vacated by Jorge Masvidal is also on the line. While not a sanctioned UFC title, it has become an MMA status symbol to prove who is the “baddest motherf**ker” in the sport.
The co-main event is similarly illustrious, boasting a clash of former world champions. Ex-UFC Light Heavyweight king Jan Blachowicz takes on former UFC Middleweight ruler Alex Pereira. It is a fight that could headline a pay-per-view on its own. But with Crawford-Spence breathing down their necks, it makes sense for the MMA giant to stack this show as much as possible.
If you prefer the Octagon to the squared circle, here’s everything you need to know about UFC 291.
Where: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
When: Saturday 29th July, 1am prelims, 3am main card (UK time)
How To Watch: TNT Sports 1
Tale Of The Tape:
Poirier:
Place Of Birth: Lafayette, Louisiana, USA
Age: 34
Alias: The Diamond
Record: 29-7-1
Height: 5’9”
Reach: 72’’
Last Fight: Poirier took on Michael Chandler at UFC 281 last November. ‘The Diamond’ was victorious via third-round submission, picking up Fight of the Night for his troubles.
Gaethje:
Place Of Birth: Safford, Arizona
Age: 34
Alias: The Highlight
Record: 24-4
Height: 5’11”
Reach: 69½”
Last Fight: ‘The Highlight’ took a majority decision against Rafael Fiziev in London at UFC 286. The bout was Gaethje’s first since a defeat to Charles Oliveira for the UFC Lightweight title in May 2022.
Main card
Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje (lightweight)
Jan Blachowicz vs Alex Pereira (light-heavyweight)
Stephen Thompson vs Michel Pereira (welterweight)
Tony Ferguson vs Bobby Green (lightweight)
Michael Chiesa vs Kevin Holland (welterweight)
Prelims
Prelims Trevin Giles vs Gabriel Bonfim (welterweight)
Derrick Lewis vs Marcos Rogerio de Lima (heavyweight)
Roman Kopylov vs Claudio Ribeiro (middleweight)
Jake Matthews vs Miguel Baeza (welterweight)
Early prelims
CJ Vergara vs Vinicius Salvador (flyweight)
Matthew Semelsberger vs Yohan Lainesse (welterweight)
Miranda Maverick vs Priscila Cachoeira (women’s flyweight)
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
