This is the fight that the entire combat sports world was waiting for. The main event of UFC 291 had the BMF belt on the line, and Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier were supercharged to give their best. But only one could wear the belt, and it was ‘The Highlight’ after he claimed the victory via KO.
The fight between the former interim UFC lightweight champions commenced with a respectful touch of gloves. The fighters examined each other’s growth by exchanging a few blows. However, Poirier displayed beautiful defensive skills and timed his strikes that impressed the crowd. ‘The Highlight’ also threw some strikes that sent the crowd into a tizzy. The energy that engulfed the Octagon was nothing short of a spectacular show.
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Round two began with action, but fate had the outcome planned. Soon after the crowd began chanting Poirier’s name, Gaethje sent a high roundhouse kick that sent ‘The Diamond’ to the canvas. As soon as ‘The Highlight’ threw a punch at Poirier’s way, Herb Dean swooped in and stopped it all. Soon after the fight, Gaethje announced his intent to settle some unfinished business by taking revenge on Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s student.
JUSTIN GAETHJE KO's POIRIER BY HEAD KICK 😱
WE HAVE A NEW BMF #UFC291 pic.twitter.com/eUunAPoHnO
— UFC (@ufc) July 30, 2023
The finisher move was eerily similar to the kick that Leon Edwards threw to knock out Kamaru Usman and became the welterweight champion.
Poirier previously claimed that Gaethje was still reckless at his core and wanted nothing but a brawl. However, the fight turned out in Gaethje’s favor.
MMA world reacts as wears the BMF belt at UFC 291
The former holder of the BMF belt, Jorge Masvidal, put the belt on the line during the weigh-ins. Now, it was Gaethje’s turn to wear the belt. Fans now had their eyes on Islam Makhachev to face Gaethje.
ISLAM IS NEXT
— Will Kelly (@WillKelly34) July 30, 2023
Many fans praised Salt Lake City, Utah, for the mesmerizing head kicks.
SALT LAKE CITY
THE HEADKICK CAPITOL OF THE WORLD— 𝙺𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚊 𝙺𝚕𝚊𝚢 (@Klay_SZN) July 30, 2023
Utah is the land of headkick main events
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 30, 2023
The kick was indeed the star of the show, as per the fans.
Headshot bang! What a phenomenal setup!
— ₵𝖔𝖑𝖑𝖎𝖓 ₵𝖍𝖆𝖓 (@CollinChan) July 30, 2023
The kick took the breath out of every single MMA fan. Even Alexander Volkanovski wasn’t spared.
Daaaaaaamn! Did not expect a head kick KO from Gaethje. Wow. #ufc291
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) July 30, 2023
The fans claimed that the kick was indeed worthy of getting the BMF title.
That kick is worthy of a BMF title
— Ali (@officialalim) July 30, 2023
Many fans were taken aback by the uncanny similarity the finishing move had with that of Edwards vs. Usman.
Exact same as Leon did that’s bizarre same place same place on the card same set up same way the loser fell
— VOLKAKANE 10 (@hayden10081252) July 30, 2023
Another fan pointed out the way the referee sled in to stop the fight.
That kick was MASTERFUL.
Herb Dean with that cheeky elbow drop after 🤣
— TooLateBlue (@TooLateBlue) July 30, 2023
The entirety of UFC 291 was packed with action and sent the fans’ excitement through the roof. But the way Poirier got knocked out wasn’t what most fans expected.
Watch this story: Jorge Masvidal Wins the Race Against Mike Tyson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Triple H to Become Dwayne Johnson’s Successor at UFC 291 for the BMF Title
What are your thoughts on the fight? Did the fight proceed as per your predictions? Let us know in the comments down below.
Written by
Edited by
Rupkamal Sarma