UFC 291 LIVE: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with head kick

Justin Gaethje knocked Dustin Poirier out cold with a stunning head kick on Saturday, winning their rematch at UFC 291 and claiming the ‘BMF’ title.

Five years after suffering a TKO loss to Poirier, Gaethje looked a completely different fighter against his fellow American, getting the better of most exchanges in Round 1. Gaethje, widely deemed the most exciting athlete in the UFC, then dropped Poirier with a clean head kick in Round 2 to end the fight abruptly.

In doing so, the lightweight won the ‘Baddest Motherf*****’ belt, a gimmick title previously seen in 2019 when Jorge Masvidal beat Nate Diaz to become the inaugural champion.

In the co-main event, former middleweight champion Alex Pereira moved up to light-heavyweight and outpointed Jan Blachowicz, an ex-title holder in the division.

Re-live updates and results from UFC 291, below.

UFC 291 LIVE: Poirier vs Gaethje

• Justin Gaethje knocks Dustin Poirier out cold with head kick to win ‘BMF’ belt

• Alex Pereira narrowly outpoints Jan Blachowicz in co-main event

• Derrick Lewis scores early KO of Marcos Rogerio de Lima after flying knee

• Tony Ferguson’s losing streak goes on with submission defeat by Bobby Green

• Michael Chiesa suffers tough return with submission loss to Kevin Holland

• Gaethje and Poirier share wholesome backstage moment after KO

• Gaethje reacts to Conor McGregor callout after main-event win

UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick

Sunday 30 July 2023 08:50 , Alex Pattle

Here’s a full recap of Saturday’s event:

Justin Gaethje stuns Dustin Poirier with brutal head-kick KO at UFC 291

UFC 291: Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier share wholesome backstage moment after KO

14:04 , Alex Pattle

Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier share wholesome backstage moment after UFC 291 KO

UFC 291: Justin Gaethje reacts to Conor McGregor callout after knocking out Dustin Poirier

13:31 , Alex Pattle

Justin Gaethje reacts to Conor McGregor callout after knocking out Dustin Poirier

UFC 291: Highlights in photos

Sunday 30 July 2023 08:22 , Alex Pattle

Even Gaethje said he was “surprised” by the finish. Indy Sport was, too!

UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick

Sunday 30 July 2023 07:52 , Alex Pattle

Speaking of Kamaru Usman...

UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick

Sunday 30 July 2023 07:25 , Alex Pattle

Almost a year on from Leon Edwards’s iconic head-kick knockout of Kamaru Usman, Usman’s teammate Justin Gaethje produced a similar finish in the very same building.

UFC 291: Highlights in photos

Sunday 30 July 2023 07:00 , Alex Pattle

UFC 291: Highlights in photos

Sunday 30 July 2023 06:40 , Alex Pattle

UFC 291: Highlights in photos

Sunday 30 July 2023 06:22 , Alex Pattle

UFC 291: Highlights in photos

Sunday 30 July 2023 06:03 , Alex Pattle

UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:47 , Alex Pattle

So... In October, Islam Mackhaev defends the lightweight title against Charles Oliveira.

Gaethje will surely be next for the winner of that rematch, which will take place almost exactly a year after Makhachev submitted Oliveira in the same building – the Etihad Arena.

Two major fights announced for UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi

UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:41 , Alex Pattle

UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:33 , Alex Pattle

Gaethje: “Call it luck maybe, I’m down with it.”

UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:33 , Alex Pattle

Gaethje: “That’s so crazy, I surprised the s*** out of myself.”

UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:32 , Alex Pattle

Gaethje on Poirier: “That man taught me a lesson [in the first fight], and I thank him for it.”

UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:31 , Alex Pattle

Gaethje: “I hope I just inspired you [all], that’s what I’m here for.”

UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:30 , Alex Pattle

The way Poirier fell was so similar to how Usman fell last year.

Justin Gaethje def. Dustin Poirier via second-round KO (head kick, 1:00).

And new ‘BMF’ of the UFC...

UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:28 , Alex Pattle

Poirier quickly regains his senses and is thankfully okay, but he was out cold for a moment there.

Almost a year on from Leon Edwards’s iconic head-kick knockout of Kamaru Usman, Usman’s teammate Justin Gaethje produces a similar finish in the very same building.

What a wild moment.

UFC 291: Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje 2

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:26 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Again Poirier presses forward. Gaethje ducks his head and wings a hook, as he so often does, but to no avail.

OH, MY GOODNESS!!! GAETHJE KNOCKS POIRIER OUT COLD WITH A HEAD KICK!

UFC 291: Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje 2

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:24 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Clean left cross from Poirier, and Gaethje doesn’t like that; his eye is bothering him.

OH! Another shot from Poirier, and Gaethje stumbles back. Is the tide turning in this round?

Right hook from Poirier! Low kick by Gaethje. Again.

Poirier blocks a head kick then eats a leg kick.

A really good round for Gaethje, although Poirier grew into it.

UFC 291: Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje 2

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:21 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Poirier stands southpaw as usual; Gaethje is orthodox. Hard outside low kick by Gaethje, and Poirier responds with a body kick.

This event is taking place at altitude, which Gaethje is used to from his training sessions. Will that help him tonight?

Good right overhand from Gaethje! A right cross is just out of range for Poirier.

Gaethje lands a hook to the body then connects upstairs. Stabbing front kick to the body from Gaethje, who then eats a body kick from Poirier.

Cross lands for Gaethje. Still, it’s Poirier who is pressing forward. Good right hook from Gaethje!

UFC 291: Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje 2

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:17 , Alex Pattle

Here we go! Five rounds of violence scheduled. How many will we get?

Let’s find out...

UFC 291: Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje 2

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:07 , Alex Pattle

Poirier beat Gaethje via fourth-round TKO in 2018, and the pair’s careers followed similar trajectories in the time since. Poirier, 34, won the interim lightweight title in 2019 but failed to unify the belt against Khabib Nurmagomedov, losing to the Russsian via submission; Gaethje, 34, then collected the interim gold in 2020 but was also submitted by Khabib.

Each man then got a second crack at the gold but came up short again, with Poirier submitted by Charles Oliveira in 2021 and Gaethje suffering the same fate last May. However, Poirier and Gaethje have both bounced back since then, with the former stopping Michael Chandler and the latter beating Rafael Fiziev.

And when Poirier and Gaethje rematch tonight, the ‘Baddest Motherf*****’ belt will be up for grabs. The title has only appeared once before, when Jorge Masvidal beat Nate Diaz to become the inaugural champion in 2019.

UFC 291: Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje 2

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:02 , Alex Pattle

Next up, the main event... Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje 2.

This one could be fight of the night; most people would bet on that.

UFC 291: Jan Blachowicz vs Alex Pereira

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:58 , Alex Pattle

Alex Pereira def. Jan Blachowicz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

A close fight, but 29-28 to Pereira is just about the right scoreline, as Indy Sport sees it.

A successful divisional debut for the Brazilian at light-heavyweight.

UFC 291: Jan Blachowicz vs Alex Pereira

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:54 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

Both fighters land straight punches and left hooks.

Pereira hasn’t quite been able to inject his usual power into his left hooks, but they’ve still landed clean numerous times tonight.

Blachowicz with a single-leg takedown late in the round! Pereira goes down easily!

We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.

UFC 291: Jan Blachowicz vs Alex Pereira

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:52 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

More leg kicks from Pereira, whose team have told him that Blachowicz’s lead leg is hurting.

Blachowicz is able to propel himself into a combination, though, which backs up Pereira.

Blachowicz grapples Pereira again, but only briefly.

UFC 291: Jan Blachowicz vs Alex Pereira

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:49 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Pereira makes it back to his feet, but he’s being held against the fence by Blachowicz.

Pereira gets free and starts walking down Blachowicz. More low kicks from the Brazilian.

Now some good straight shots from Pereira! Blachowicz is just shelling up right now... He gets Pereira off him with a couple of punches, before retreating at the end of the round.

Pereira is showing more signs of what he can do.

UFC 291: Jan Blachowicz vs Alex Pereira

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:46 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Both guys feel each other out on the feet. Low kicks from both fighters.

Blachowicz with a perfectly-timed takedown now! He lands the double-leg and is straight into Pereira’s guard.

Blachowicz sneaks in a few punches from above.

UFC 291: Jan Blachowicz vs Alex Pereira

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:42 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Pereira does well to just about defend the choke, but Blachowicz is still weighing down on the Brazilian kickboxing icon.

Blachowicz was submitted by Pereira’s teammate Glover Teixeira last year, but Teixeira’s grappling skills are on a totally different level to Pereira’s.

UFC 291: Jan Blachowicz vs Alex Pereira

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:39 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Blachowicz shoots for a takedown early, backing Pereira up to the fence and working on getting him down.

Pereira has the former champion’s neck and is threatening a guillotine to deter the Pole, but Blachowicz eventually gets Pereira down...

Blachowicz has already taken the back and is working on a rear naked choke...

UFC 291: Jan Blachowicz vs Alex Pereira

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:36 , Alex Pattle

Here we go! This should be fun...

UFC 291: Jan Blachowicz vs Alex Pereira

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:28 , Alex Pattle

Next up, the co-main event: Former light-heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz takes on Alex Pereira, who is moving up to 205lbs after losing the middleweight title in April.

Lots of people are expecting a knockout here, given Blachowicz’s “legendary Polish power” and Pereira’s signature left hook.

UFC 291: Derrick Lewis vs Marcos Rogerio de Lima

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:22 , Alex Pattle

Derrick Lewis def. Marcos Rogerio de Lima via first-round TKO 0:33, knee and punches).

That’s a record 14th UFC knockout for Lewis, who whips off his shorts in celebration. On commentary, Joe Rogan is in hysterics.

Lewis throws his cup... and gloves into the crowd.

Did you plan to open on that knee, Rogan asks him; “Hell no. I just thought, ‘Let’s throw some bulls*** and see what happens.’”

UFC 291: Derrick Lewis vs Marcos Rogerio de Lima

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:18 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

OH! Lewis with a huge flying knee right out the gate!

De Lima hits the mat and pours on punches, and the fight is waved off!

What did we say?! This one was never likely to last long!

UFC 291: Derrick Lewis vs Marcos Rogerio de Lima

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:14 , Alex Pattle

Next up, Derrick Lewis vs Marcos Rogerio de Lima has been bumped up from the prelims.

This one is a heavyweight affair, and there’s a good chance it doesn’t last until the final buzzer...

UFC 291: Tony Ferguson vs Bobby Green

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:05 , Alex Pattle

Ferguson’s 12-fight win streak has given way to a six-fight losing streak.

UFC 291: Tony Ferguson vs Bobby Green

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:03 , Alex Pattle

Bobby Green def. Tony Ferguson via third-round submission (arm-triangle choke, 4:54).

UFC 291: Tony Ferguson vs Bobby Green

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:01 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

The fight his the mat, and Green swiftly moves into half-guard...

Oh, wow! He locks in an arm-triangle choke... and Ferguson is OUT!!

Green via submission would have paid off big time if you’d put money on it!

UFC 291: Tony Ferguson vs Bobby Green

Sunday 30 July 2023 03:59 , Alex Pattle

Round 3

Ferguson is dropped to his backside, bounces back up and eats another hard shot.

Green jabs to the body then grazes Ferguson with a wide overhand right. Another jab to the body.

Now he jabs upstairs, a rapid shot, before landing a one-two.

Ferguson is backing up Green and landing intermittently, but he’s absorbing a lot of straight punches, too.

Oh, Green drops Ferguson again! Once more, the former interim champ springs back to his feet.

UFC 291: Tony Ferguson vs Bobby Green

Sunday 30 July 2023 03:54 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Green is back in Ferguson’ss guard, landing elbows from above, and some hammer fists for good measure,

Eventually Green stands and beckons Ferguson to his feet. Ferguson plods forward, and both men land straight punches.

Decent uppercut from Ferguson, and now a left hook. He’s sporting a fair bit of damage on his face, though...

UFC 291: Tony Ferguson vs Bobby Green

Sunday 30 July 2023 03:51 , Alex Pattle

Round 2

Ferguson misses with a spinning back fist then sees a takedown attempt stuffed as Green sprawls.

Ferguson lands a decent right overhand now. He enters with an unorthodox roll at Green’s feet, and he’s trying for a triangle choke...

But Green is landing hammer fists through Ferguson’s legs at the moment! Eventually Ferguson pulls guard. He lands a decent elbow from the bottom, but Green is still getting off shots.

Green elects to stand, before diving back down with more punches.

UFC 291: Tony Ferguson vs Bobby Green

Sunday 30 July 2023 03:47 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

“Tony” is the chant from the crowd as the action gets back under way.

Slick one-two from Green, landing upstairs. He’s standing orthodox now.

Green reverts to southpaw and lands a clean cross.

UFC 291: Tony Ferguson vs Bobby Green

Sunday 30 July 2023 03:44 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Green stands southpaw; Ferguson is switching stances back and forth. Lots of twitchy entries from both guys so far.

Ferguson with a front kick, Green with a side kick. Ferguson dives after a double-leg takedown, pushing Green to the fence and immediately jumping on his back...

Ferguson gets one hook in – his right leg – but he can’t advance the position. He backs off, and the pair move into the open.

As with the early moments of the fight, both men are flicking out straight shots but struggling to land.

OH! Until that big right hand from Ferguson, which knocks down Green! He springs back to his feet, and the action is soon paused due to an accidental eye poke by Green.

UFC 291: Tony Ferguson vs Bobby Green

Sunday 30 July 2023 03:40 , Alex Pattle

Let’s go!

UFC 291: Tony Ferguson vs Bobby Green

Sunday 30 July 2023 03:33 , Alex Pattle

Moving quickly on! Lightweight legend Tony Ferguson takes on fellow veteran Bobby Green.

Ferguson’s long winning run from 2013 to 2019, including his interim-title win in 2017, made him a huge favourite with fans. The American, 39, has since lost five in a row, however, having been submitted by Nate Diaz in September last time out.

Meanwhile, 36-year-old Green has a patchy record but usually delivers fun boxing exchanges, which is an exciting prospect as he takes on his compatriot Ferguson, an inventive striker.

UFC 291: Michael Chiesa vs Kevin Holland

Sunday 30 July 2023 03:26 , Alex Pattle

Kevin Holland def. Michael Chiesa via first-round submission (D’Arce choke, 2:39).

UFC 291: Michael Chiesa vs Kevin Holland

Sunday 30 July 2023 03:23 , Alex Pattle

Round 1

Southpaw stance for Chiesa, who is put on the back foot early.

Holland misses with an uppercut but lands a straight, and finds the mark with his next uppercut as Chiesa briefly covers up.

Another flurry from Holland, and Chiesa willingly hits the mat. Holland doesn’t bite, though, staying out of Chiesa’s guard.

He soon lets his opponent stand, too. Now the fighters clinch against the fence, trading positions. Eventually Chiesa gets a body lock but fails to take down Holland.

OH! Big knee from Holland, and he latches on to Chiesa’s neck with a D’Arce choke as Chiesa drops to his knees! And there’s the tap!!

UFC 291: Michael Chiesa vs Kevin Holland

Sunday 30 July 2023 03:20 , Alex Pattle

Here we go!

UFC 291: Michael Chiesa vs Kevin Holland

Sunday 30 July 2023 03:12 , Alex Pattle

The main card starts with a welterweight clash between the returning Michael Chiesa and the always-entertaining Kevin Holland.

Chiesa, who has been out for almost two years, is a grappling specialist, while Holland’s strengths are largely in the striking exchanges.

UFC 291: Prelim results in full

Sunday 30 July 2023 03:04 , Alex Pattle

Here are the prelim results from this evening:

Gabriel Bonfim vs. Trevin Giles via first-round submission (guillotine choke, 1:13)

CJ Vergara def. Vinicius Salvador via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Roman Kopylov def. Claudio Ribeiro via second-round KO (0:33)

Jake Matthews def. Darrius Flowers via second-round submission (rear naked choke, 2:37)

Uros Medic def. Matthew Semelsberger via third-round TKO (2:36)

Miranda Maverick def. Priscila Cachoeira via third-round submission (armbar, 2:11)

UFC 291: Main card under way

Sunday 30 July 2023 03:02 , Alex Pattle

Our live coverage begins in full now, as the UFC 291 main card gets under way!

UFC 291: Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje betting tips and preview

Sunday 30 July 2023 02:55 , Lawrence Ostlere

Here are your betting tips for the main event:

UFC 291: Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje betting tips and preview

UFC 291 LIVE: Poirier vs Gaethje – what is the 'Bad Motherf*****’ title?

Sunday 30 July 2023 02:46 , Lawrence Ostlere

The UFC’s ‘BMF’ title will make its return tonight as Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje clash in the main event of UFC 291.

Poirier beat Gaethje via TKO in 2018, and the Americans will square off again in Utah, with the ‘Baddest Motherf*****’ title on the line.

The UFC introduced the belt in 2019 as a prize for the winner of a fight between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal, with the latter winning via doctor stoppage. WWE star-turned-actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson then wrapped the gold around Masvidal’s waist.

The title has not been involved in any fights since then, and Masvidal retired from mixed martial arts last month after a loss to Gilbert Burns. The UFC is now reintroducing the belt, which will be up for grabs when Poirier and Gaethje meet in a lightweight bout on 29 July.

UFC 291 LIVE: Blachowicz vs Alex Pereira

Sunday 30 July 2023 02:32 , Lawrence Ostlere

The co-main event tonight sees Jan Blachowicz fight Alex Pereira at light-heavyweight.

Polish fighter Blachowicz, 40, is a former light-heavyweight champion with a record of 29-9-1.

Pereira, the Brazilian ex-kickboxer, is former middleweight champion making his debut in light-heavyweight division.

The light-heavyweight title was vacated this month when champion Jamahal Hill injured his ankle (full story below) and the winner of this contest could fight for the vacant title next.

UFC champion vacates title after suffering ankle injury

UFC rankings: The Independent’s pound-for-pound fighters list

Sunday 30 July 2023 02:23 , Lawrence Ostlere

The UFC is home to some of the best mixed martial artists on the planet, so it is no surprise that fans often debate how the elite fighters compare to one another.

Alongside its weekly-updated rankings for each weight class, the UFC has its own pound-for-pound rankings, containing 15 names – as with each list for every division.

Here, The Independent has constructed its own top 10, pound-for-pound rankings for men’s UFC fighters, to be updated throughout the year.

While there is no exact science to putting together lists such as this, a number of factors have been considered in making the rankings, including each fighter’s overall record, recent record, level of activity and calibre of opposition.

Read more:

The Independent’s pound-for-pound UFC rankings

UFC 291 LIVE: Poirier vs Gaethje – how to watch

Sunday 30 July 2023 02:12 , Lawrence Ostlere

The card will air live on TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights.

In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass.

McGregor Forever: The problem with the Conor McGregor documentary

Sunday 30 July 2023 01:54 , Lawrence Ostlere

The Independent’s Alex Pattle recently reviewed the Conor McGregor documentary:

The problem with the new Conor McGregor documentary, McGregor Forever

Makhachev vs Oliveira official for UFC 294 as Khamzat Chimaev returns on undercard

Sunday 30 July 2023 01:41 , Lawrence Ostlere

Islam Makhachev will defend his lightweight title against Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 294, after Khamzat Chimaev makes his return against Paulo Costa.

Makhachev won the vacant lightweight title by submitting Oliveira in Abu Dhabi last October, and now the pair will return to the scene of that fight almost exactly one year on, as they headline at the Etihad Arena again.

Russian Makhachev, 31, has since retained the belt against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, beating the Australian with a narrow decision in February. Meanwhile, Brazilian Oliveira bounced back from his loss to Makhachev by stopping Beneil Dariush in the first round in June.

Read more:

Two major fights announced for UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi

UFC 291 LIVE: Poirier vs Gaethje

Sunday 30 July 2023 01:24 , Lawrence Ostlere

Main card

Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje 2 (lightweight – vacant ‘BMF’ title)

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

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)

UFC 291 LIVE: Poirier vs Gaethje – timings tonight

Sunday 30 July 2023 01:07 , Alex Pattle

UFC 291 takes place at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah tonight.

The early prelims are set to begin at 11.30pm BST (3.30pm PT, 5.30pm CT, 6.30pm ET), with the regular prelims following at 1am BST (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET).

The main card is then due to begin at 3am BST (7pm PT, 9pm CT, 10pm ET).

Poirier vs Gaethje LIVE

Saturday 29 July 2023 23:49 , Lawrence Ostlere

Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje will clash in the main event of UFC 291 tonight, in a rematch with the ‘BMF’ title on the line.

Poirier beat Gaethje via fourth-round TKO in 2018, and the pair’s careers followed similar trajectories in the time since. Poirier, 34, won the interim lightweight title in 2019 but failed to unify the belt against Khabib Nurmagomedov, losing to the Russsian via submission; Gaethje, 34, then collected the interim gold in 2020 but was also submitted by Khabib.

Each man then got a second crack at the gold but came up short again, with Poirier submitted by Charles Oliveira in 2021 and Gaethje suffering the same fate last May. However, Poirier and Gaethje have both bounced back since then, with the former stopping Michael Chandler and the latter beating Rafael Fiziev.

And when Poirier and Gaethje rematch in Salt Lake City, Utah, tonight, the ‘Baddest Motherf*****’ belt will be up for grabs. The title has only appeared once before, when Jorge Masvidal beat Nate Diaz to become the inaugural champion in 2019. In this evening’s co-main event, former middleweight champion Alex Pereira moves up to light-heavyweight to face Jan Blachowicz, an ex-title holder in the division.