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
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: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick
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
The lightweight title is on the line in a highly-anticipated rematch in October
UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick
UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick
Gaethje: “Call it luck maybe, I’m down with it.”
UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick
Gaethje: “That’s so crazy, I surprised the s*** out of myself.”
UFC 291: Justin Gaethje knocks out Dustin Poirier with brutal head kick
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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