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

Re-live updates from the ‘BMF’ title fight, a long-awaited rematch that topped a stacked card in Utah

MMA fighter Tom Aspinall sings 'Sweet Caroline' at UFC London

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

[30 July 2023 08:50 · Alex Pattle]

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

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

[31 July 2023 14:04 · Alex Pattle]

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

[31 July 2023 13:31 · Alex Pattle]

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

[30 July 2023 08:22 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 291: Highlights in photos

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

[30 July 2023 07:52 · Alex Pattle]

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

Speaking of Kamaru Usman...

[30 July 2023 07:25 · Alex Pattle]

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

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.

[30 July 2023 07:00 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 291: Highlights in photos

Alex Pereira’s 205lbs debut was a success as he narrowly outpointed ex-champion Jan Blachowicz, right (USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)

[30 July 2023 06:40 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 291: Highlights in photos

Kevin Holland drops Michael Chiesa with a knee before submitting him (USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)

[30 July 2023 06:22 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 291: Highlights in photos

Bobby Green, top, got the better of Tony Ferguson before submitting him in the final seconds (USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)

[30 July 2023 06:03 · Alex Pattle]

UFC 291: Highlights in photos

Derrick Lewis drops Marcos Rogerio de Lima with a flying knee before securing an early TKO (USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)